Sao loucas

La Rue Kétanou's song 'Sao loucas' is a poignant exploration of sorrow, longing, and the cultural essence of fado music. The lyrics tell the story of a woman mourning her sailor, who isn't truly hers, reflecting the deep sense of loss and unfulfilled love. The waves, described as 'folles' or crazy, symbolize the chaotic emotions she experiences. When she sings fado, her song becomes a bird that flies away, representing the release of her sorrow through music.

The refrain 'Sao loucas' (They are crazy) is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the perceived madness of the woman's grief and the intensity of her emotions. The bird carrying a prayer in a bottle to the vast ocean signifies a desperate hope for connection and solace. The mention of 'Da rua da riguera' and 'Alfama' roots the song in Lisbon, a city known for its deep connection to fado, a genre that embodies the Portuguese concept of 'saudade'—a profound, melancholic longing.

As the woman dons her shawl and sings, silence falls, and her words captivate those around her. This moment highlights the power of fado to convey deep emotions and connect people through shared experiences of pain and longing. The lyrics also touch on the communal aspect of grief, as the woman's sorrow becomes the sorrow of Lisbon itself, a city where women in black mourn and the sound of guitars resonates with 'saudade.' The song beautifully captures the essence of fado, where personal grief transforms into a collective cultural expression.