Transando is a fascinating word because it has multiple meanings, making it quite versatile and context-dependent. While it can mean "transacting" or "negotiating" in a business sense, in a more intimate context, especially in Brazilian Portuguese, it's a common slang term for "making love" or "having sex."
In Caetano Veloso's lyrics, "Sempre contigo transando sob as estrelas" (Always with you making love under the stars), the romantic and intimate setting clearly indicates the latter meaning. This dual nature makes it an intriguing word to learn, as understanding the context is key to its interpretation.
"Sete Mil Vezes" is Caetano Veloso's vow to live one perfect night over and over. He opens with the title itself: "Sete mil vezes eu tornaria a viver assim" ("Seven thousand times I'd live to live like this again"), then traces what that night held — someone close, "Sempre contigo transando sob as estrelas" ("Always with you, making love under the stars"), and music sung because love asked for it.
By the second half the count keeps climbing — "Sete mil vidas, sete milhões e ainda um pouco mais" ("Seven thousand lives, seven million and a little more still") — until the song settles into a short list of what the night actually contains: prayer, carnival, love, fire, peace. "Noite de fogo e de paz" ("Night of fire and of peace") is the last thing he names before the recording lets the title line play once more, as if repeating it enough times could make one night last that way.
Caetano Veloso is a legendary Brazilian composer, singer, guitarist, and political activist born in 1942 in Santo Amaro, Bahia. He rose to fame in the 1960s as a leading figure of the Tropicália movement, which blended Brazilian musical traditions like samba and bossa nova with psychedelic rock and avant-garde styles. Known for his poetic lyrics and bold experimentation, Veloso's work challenged Brazil's military dictatorship, leading to his imprisonment and exile in London.
With a career spanning over six decades, Caetano has won numerous awards including multiple Latin Grammys and Grammys. His influence extends beyond Brazil, captivating audiences worldwide through his diverse musical styles and collaborations with icons like Gilberto Gil and Os Mutantes. Veloso remains a vital voice in contemporary music and culture, celebrated for his artistic innovation and commitment to social justice.