Inquilino do Universo

Roberto Ribeiro's song 'Inquilino do Universo' delves deep into the existential musings of life, death, and the human condition. The lyrics express a profound urgency to live in the present, encapsulated in the repeated lines, 'Eu não quero nada pra amanhã, Eu quero tudo agora' (I don't want anything for tomorrow, I want everything now). This sentiment reflects a carpe diem philosophy, emphasizing the unpredictability of life and the inevitability of death, which 'chega sem dizer a hora' (arrives without saying the time). The song's insistence on immediate fulfillment underscores a desire to make the most of the fleeting moments we have.

Ribeiro further explores the transactional nature of existence, where every aspect of life comes at a cost. He poignantly notes, 'Eu já pago esse chão pra caminhar, Pago a água pra beber, Pago até pra sorrir' (I already pay for this ground to walk on, I pay for the water to drink, I even pay to smile). This metaphorical 'payment' for life's experiences highlights the burdens and responsibilities that come with living. Despite these payments, Ribeiro acknowledges that he is not the owner of life, merely a tenant in the universe, 'Pago pra viver, mas não sou dono da vida' (I pay to live, but I am not the owner of life).

The song also touches on the cyclical nature of existence and the inevitability of death. Ribeiro describes himself as a 'padre sem paróquia' (a priest without a parish) and a 'produto sem mercado' (a product without a market), illustrating a sense of purposelessness and the transient nature of human life. As he contemplates the end of life, he envisions a return to innocence, 'Volto a ser criança aguardando o chamado' (I return to being a child waiting for the call). This imagery evokes a sense of coming full circle, from birth to death, and the ultimate acceptance of mortality. The final lines, 'Porque sou e quem não inquilino do universo' (Because I am and who is not a tenant of the universe), encapsulate the song's central theme: the recognition of our temporary existence within the vast cosmos.