Desperdicei is the past tense conjugation of the verb desperdiçar, meaning "to waste" or "to squander". It's a word that carries a sense of regret or missed opportunity.
In "Quase Sem Querer", the singer reflects on the chances he desperdicei (wasted) in the past, particularly when he was trying to prove himself to others. This word captures a key theme of self-reflection and growth in the song, making it both relatable and impactful.
Legião Urbana's "Quase Sem Querer" begins mid-confession: "Tenho andado distraído" [I've been distracted], impatient and unsure, before the song names its turn toward something calmer. The narrator describes years spent trying to prove himself to everyone, until it cost him everything — "Me fiz em mil pedaços" [I broke myself into a thousand pieces], "Pra você juntar" [for you to put back together]. The title phrase itself surfaces in the chorus: "E eu sei que você sabe, quase sem querer" [And I know that you know, almost without meaning to] — a connection between two people that needs no explaining.
Midway through, the song drops the self-analysis for something plainer. "Que mentir pra si mesmo é sempre a pior mentira" [Lying to yourself is always the worst lie] is the hinge everything else turns on: admitting he repeats himself, naming the words that never get said, then hearing she's been crying and understanding, all at once, how much he wants her.
Legião Urbana was a rock band from Brasília, Brazil. Formed in the early 1980s, the group featured Renato Russo as its lead singer and lyricist. They quickly became a significant voice in Brazilian rock music.
The band is celebrated for its poetic and often introspective lyrics, which connected with a generation. Their discography includes many memorable songs, such as the narrative "Faroeste Caboclo," the romantic "Eduardo e Mônica," and the reflective "Pais e Filhos." Albums like Dois and As Quatro Estações are considered classics in their catalog.