Que Saudade Lyrics in English by Thiaguinho, Alexandre Pires
Saudade is a unique Portuguese word that doesn't have a direct English translation. It describes a deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for something or someone that one loves and is absent.
In "Que Saudade," the word is repeated extensively, capturing the profound sense of missing a past love. It's a cornerstone of Portuguese culture and music, making it an essential and evocative word for learners.
Have you ever had a feeling that someone was about to break up with you? In "Que Saudade," Thiaguinho and Alexandre Pires explore that exact moment. Instead of waiting for the bad news, the singer decides to take control by pulling away first. He sings, "Sentindo que você ia me deixar / Eu fui me afastando devagar" (Feeling that you were going to leave me / I started slowly moving away). It's a song about trying to soften the blow of heartbreak before it even happens, a painful strategy to protect his own heart.
The whole song builds to the feeling in its title: saudade. This is a special Portuguese word for a deep, melancholic longing for someone you love. The chorus gets right to the point, saying that the stronger the love, the more it hurts when it's over: "É, quando é forte, faz sofrer / Se é de verdade, faz chorar" (Yeah, when it's strong, it makes you suffer / If it's real, it makes you cry). All his effort to win their love now just leaves him with tears and this powerful feeling of saudade.
