Era Uma Vez

The song 'Era Uma Vez' by Brazilian singer-songwriter Kell Smith is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the loss of childhood innocence. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia for the simplicity and wonder of being a child, when imagination ruled and the world seemed kinder and more magical. Smith uses the phrase 'Era uma vez,' which translates to 'Once upon a time,' to immediately set the tone of a fairy tale, a story that often begins with these words and is associated with childhood.

The song contrasts the carefree nature of childhood, where the biggest worries were scraped knees and the comfort of a parent's embrace, with the more complex and often painful experiences of adulthood, such as heartbreak. The recurring lines 'É que a gente quer crescer / E quando cresce, quer voltar do início' ('It's that we want to grow up / And when we grow up, we want to go back to the beginning') capture the universal desire to return to a time when life was simpler and joys were unburdened by the weight of adult responsibilities and sorrows.

However, 'Era Uma Vez' is not just a song about longing for the past; it also carries a message of hope and resilience. Smith encourages listeners to maintain their sense of wonder and goodness despite the harshness of the world. The lyrics suggest that true happiness is found in the journey, not the destination, and that preserving the innocence and optimism of childhood is key to finding joy in life, even as we grow older.