O Ciúme Lyrics in English by Caetano Veloso
Ciúme translates to "jealousy" or "envy". It's a strong, evocative emotion that is central to the song's narrative and gives the song its title.
Caetano Veloso personifies jealousy, describing it as a "black point" that watches over everything, and later as a monstrous shadow. This word is not only the song's title but also its driving force, making it incredibly memorable and impactful.
Caetano Veloso's "O Ciúme" [Jealousy] is a fascinating journey into the overwhelming power of jealousy, set against the backdrop of the São Francisco River in Brazil. The song opens with a vivid image of the world at a standstill under the midday sun: "Dorme o Sol à flor do Chico, meio-dia / Tudo esbarra embriagado de seu lume" [The sun sleeps on the Chico's surface, midday / Everything stumbles, drunk on its light]. But amidst this sleepy tranquility, one thing remains fiercely awake: "Só vigia um ponto negro, o meu ciúme" [Only a black spot watches, my jealousy].
What's really striking is how the song personifies jealousy, giving it an almost mythical presence. It's a dark force that wounds the singer, even as he describes it as having launched its own arrow: "O ciúme lançou sua flecha preta / E se viu ferido justo na garganta" [Jealousy launched its black arrow / And found itself wounded right in the throat]. The singer feels lost and unmoored, singing between two towns, Petrolina and Juazeiro, feeling neither happy nor sad, nor even like a poet. The song beautifully expresses how jealousy can consume everything, making even the grand São Francisco River seem to hold secrets it won't share, leaving the singer feeling utterly alone: "E eu sou só eu, só eu, só, eu" [And I am just me, just me, just, me]. It's a powerful and almost haunting look at how jealousy can overshadow everything else.
