Porto Sentido

Misia's song "Porto Sentido" is a poignant ode to the city of Porto, Portugal. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the city's landscape, capturing its essence through a blend of nostalgia, melancholy, and admiration. The song opens with the imagery of crossing the river near the Serra do Pilar, immediately setting a scene that is both picturesque and historical. The mention of the "velho casario" (old houses) stretching to the sea evokes a sense of timelessness and continuity, suggesting that Porto is a place where the past and present coexist harmoniously.

As the song progresses, Misia describes Porto with a mix of affection and sorrow. The city's streets, from the Ribeira to the Foz, are depicted as worn and solitary, with "pedras sujas e gastas" (dirty and worn stones) and "lampiões tristes e sós" (sad and lonely lamps). This imagery conveys a sense of abandonment and decay, yet there is also a deep-seated beauty in this desolation. The city's "grave e sério" (grave and serious) demeanor, with its mysterious and somber light, adds to the aura of a place that holds many untold stories and hidden emotions.

The final verses of the song reflect a personal connection to Porto, describing the city as having a "timbre pardacento" (grayish tone) and a "jeito fechado" (closed manner) that grinds down feelings. Despite this, there is a sense of resilience and pride, as seen in the metaphor of the city as a "milhafre ferido na asa" (wounded hawk). Each return to Porto feels like the first time, filled with a mix of awe and familiarity. Misia's heartfelt lyrics and evocative imagery make "Porto Sentido" a touching tribute to a city that is both beautiful and melancholic, capturing the complex emotions that it inspires in those who know it well.