Wave (feat. Caetano Veloso)

In 'Wave,' Roberto Carlos, featuring Caetano Veloso, crafts a poetic narrative that delves into the profound and often ineffable nature of love. The song opens with the lines, 'Vou te contar / Os olhos já não podem ver / Coisas que só o coração / Pode entender,' which translates to 'I'll tell you / The eyes can no longer see / Things that only the heart / Can understand.' This sets the tone for a reflection on how love transcends the tangible and visible, residing instead in the realm of emotions and the heart's understanding. The assertion that 'Fundamental é mesmo o amor / É impossível ser feliz sozinho' ('Love is fundamental / It's impossible to be happy alone') underscores the central theme that love is essential for true happiness and fulfillment.

The lyrics continue to explore the beauty and mystery of love through metaphors of the sea and the breeze. 'O resto é mar / É tudo que não sei contar / São coisas lindas / Que eu tenho pra te dar' ('The rest is the sea / It's everything I can't explain / They are beautiful things / That I have to give you') suggests that love is vast and often beyond words, filled with beautiful, unspoken gifts. The imagery of the sea and the breeze conveys a sense of calm and gentle persistence, much like the nature of true love. The repetition of 'É impossível ser feliz sozinho' reinforces the idea that love is a shared experience, essential for happiness.

The song also touches on the passage of time and the evolving nature of love. 'Da primeira vez / Era a cidade / Da segunda o cais / E a eternidade' ('The first time / It was the city / The second the pier / And eternity') reflects on different stages and settings of love, suggesting that love grows and changes, yet remains eternal. The closing lines, 'O amor se deixa surpreender / Enquanto a noite vem nos envolver' ('Love allows itself to be surprised / As the night comes to envelop us'), highlight the element of surprise and the enveloping nature of love, much like the night. This poetic journey through love, with its rich metaphors and emotional depth, captures the essence of what it means to love and be loved.