A Barata

The song "A Barata" by Só Pra Contrariar (SPC) is a playful and humorous track that uses a common household pest, the cockroach ('barata' in Portuguese), as a metaphor for an annoyance or a recurring problem. The lyrics describe the protagonist's frustration with finding the neighbor's cockroach in his bed every time he comes home. The repeated line, 'Toda vez que eu chego em casa, a barata da vizinha está na minha cama' (Every time I come home, the neighbor's cockroach is in my bed), emphasizes the persistence of the issue.

Each verse introduces a different member of the band, who suggests an increasingly absurd method of dealing with the cockroach, from buying a whip to purchasing insecticide. This escalation of solutions adds a comedic effect to the song, as each proposed method is more extreme than the last. The use of different objects as weapons against the cockroach could also be seen as a metaphor for the various ways people attempt to solve problems, often without considering the consequences or the effectiveness of their actions.

Só Pra Contrariar, known for their contributions to the pagode genre—a style of Brazilian samba—often includes light-hearted and humorous themes in their music. "A Barata" is a reflection of this approach, providing entertainment and a catchy rhythm that encourages listeners to sing and dance along, while also possibly commenting on the human tendency to overreact to minor nuisances. The song's playful nature and the band's lively performance style make it a memorable piece in their discography.