Entre a Serpente e a Estrela

Zé Ramalho's song 'Entre a Serpente e a Estrela' (Between the Serpent and the Star) is a poignant exploration of the complexities of love and the pain of a lost relationship. The lyrics open with a metaphorical 'brilho de faca' (glint of a knife) where love comes, suggesting that love can be both beautiful and dangerous. The reference to not having a 'mapa da alma da mulher' (map of a woman's soul) implies the mysterious and often unfathomable nature of a woman's emotions and the relationships she is part of.

The song delves into the theme of a past love turning into aversion, highlighting the thin line between deep affection and the bitterness that can follow a breakup. The imagery of a love that 'corroem o coração' (corrodes the heart) and a 'saudade' (longing) that is as 'cortante' (sharp) as a diamond, powerfully conveys the enduring pain of missing someone who was once a significant part of one's life. The diamond metaphor emphasizes the permanence and the deep cut that such a loss can inflict on a person's heart.

Despite the pain, the protagonist moves forward, 'fingindo não sofrer' (pretending not to suffer), yet the 'peito dormente' (numb chest) betrays a lingering hope for love. The song closes with the contemplation that the future might bring the past back, 'num semblante de mulher' (in the face of a woman), suggesting a cyclical nature of love and the possibility of reencountering past emotions in new relationships. Zé Ramalho's musical style, often characterized by its poetic lyrics and fusion of rock with traditional Brazilian music, adds depth to the song's exploration of love's duality.