Arpões translates to "harpoons". It's a striking and somewhat unexpected word to find in a song, making it memorable and intriguing.
In the context of "Três Lados," the line "Cada um terá razões ou arpões" (Each one will have reasons or harpoons) suggests that people might use sharp, piercing arguments or intentions, much like harpoons, to defend their positions or attack others in a conflict. This metaphorical use adds a layer of intensity and drama to the lyrics.
Três Lados paints a vivid picture of a love story stuck between what the heart wants and what reality allows. From the very first line, gates swing open and crowds rush in, symbolizing all the possibilities and doubts that flood the narrator’s chest. He and his partner are “two against the wall,” boxed in by conflicting forces: desire vs. good sense, hope vs. fear, and even memory vs. forgetfulness (those dreamy “eyes of summer” that might not remember a thing). The repeated plea, “it isn’t the end,” shows a stubborn optimism that love can outgrow its own contradictions, sprouting “other grains” and “other breads” with each new dawn.
The title means Three Sides and reminds us that every story has more angles than just his side and her side. There is always a hidden third point of view—the unpredictable twist of fate that “throws new dice” every night. Instead of choosing between winning or losing, the song suggests embracing the whole, messy triangle: passion, reason, and destiny. That acceptance turns heartache into possibility, making the song feel like a hopeful wink to anyone juggling complicated feelings of their own.