Jacarandá refers to the jacaranda tree, known for its beautiful purple flowers. It's a specific and somewhat exotic tree, making it a unique word choice in a song.
In the lyrics, the phrase "Tem um pé de jacarandá" (There's a jacaranda tree) is used metaphorically to suggest something beautiful, perhaps hidden or unexpected, found "debaixo da saia dela" (under her skirt). It adds a touch of poetic imagery and mystery to the song's narrative.
Get ready to smile with Vanessa da Mata's "Debaixo da Saia Dela"! This song is a playful and imaginative look at infatuation, told through the eyes of someone observing a boy completely smitten.
The lyrics describe this boy who is absolutely captivated by a woman. He's so in love, he's "paralisado, comida de mosquito" [paralyzed, mosquito food], just waiting for her to turn the corner. The narrator wonders what this mysterious woman carries "Embaixo daquela saia com tanto cuidado" [Under that skirt with so much care]. And the answer? It's a beautiful, whimsical list of Brazilian wonders: a "pé de jacarandá" [jacaranda tree], "fruta do ingazeiro" [ice cream bean fruit], and even a "janela pro mundo inteiro" [window to the whole world]. It's a charming celebration of imagination and the magic we see in someone we adore.
Vanessa da Mata is one of Brazil's most beloved singer-songwriters, known for her warm voice and her blend of MPB (Popular Brazilian Music) with pop, soul and reggae. Born in 1976 in the small town of Alto Garças, in the state of Mato Grosso, she taught herself music while growing up on a rich mix of Brazilian classics and international sounds. Over the 2000s she became a household name in Brazil, and she has since won a Latin Grammy Award and published her own novels.
"Boa Sorte / Good Luck" comes from her 2007 album "Sim" and is a duet with the American musician Ben Harper. She sang the melody to him over the phone, and he answered her Portuguese verses in English, giving the song its striking bilingual back and forth. The single reached number one in both Brazil and Portugal and opened the door to her international career.