Mel
Maria Bethânia
The Sweet Allure of 'Mel': A Dive into Maria Bethânia's Honeyed Lyrics
The song 'Mel' by Maria Bethânia, a renowned Brazilian singer known for her emotive performances and deep connection to Brazilian culture, is a poetic exploration of desire and sensuality. The lyrics metaphorically compare the singer to an instrument of the 'queen bee's' pleasure and glory, suggesting a surrender to a powerful, almost hypnotic allure. The reference to the 'queen bee' could symbolize a lover or a commanding presence in the singer's life, to whom she offers herself willingly.
The imagery of tasting honey from the comb and grasping the sun with one's hand evokes a sense of seizing life's pleasures and the brightness they bring, even amidst complete darkness. This contrast between night and day, darkness and light, suggests a timeless and cyclical nature of desire and fulfillment. The repetition of 'it's midday, it's midnight' emphasizes the idea that this yearning and satisfaction transcend time.
Bethânia's use of nature-related imagery, such as the buzzing bee and the vibrant life of the forest, further enhances the song's theme of natural, instinctive passion. The mention of the bee's hum in various places, from the window to the open road, signifies the omnipresence of this calling. The song's sensual and vivid language paints a picture of an irresistible force that animates and invigorates, much like the way bees enliven a forest.