Alagados
Encyclopedia
"Alagados" is a song written by Bi Ribeiro
, João Barone
and Herbert Vianna
, the three members from Os Paralamas do Sucesso. It is on Selvagem?
, the third album from the band originally released in 1986.
(specifically the verse a cidade que tem braços abertos num cartão-postal meaning '"the city with open arms on a postcard") during the economic crisis that hit the nation in the 1980s (the lost decade). In the chorus, the song draws a parallel between the slums in Trenchtown
, Jamaica
and the slums in Alagados, Salvador
. The song portrays Rio de Janeiro as a place with "fists" which denies its poorest residents. A reference to the popularity of TV sets during that time was also done in the verse a esperança não vem do mar, nem das antenas de tevê ("hope does not come from the sea, nor from the TV antennas"). The song also showed how the Brazilian faith in an improvement in the quality of life seemed to be almost completely over during that time.
In the background, he used images of large pockets of poverty on beaches around the world—the slums of Alagados in Salvador, Trenchtown in Kingston
, the capital of Jamaica and at Maré in Rio—to show the contrast between the cities' joy (these three cities were synonymous with the party) and sadness (mostly situated in its poor residents in the slums). The first stanza is about the people that live in poor living conditions in the dawn of the day, a great challenge since daybreak took away night's fantasy world (dreams) for the day's harsh realities] exemplified by stilts, warehouses and rags. The second stanza addresses the insensitivity of the authorities.
Bi Ribeiro
Felipe de Nóbrega Ribeiro, better known as Bi Ribeiro is a bass player.Since 1977, is the bass player of the brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso...
, João Barone
João Barone
João Alberto Barone Reis e Silva, better known as João Barone is a Brazilian drummer.Since 1982 he is the drummer of the band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Discography:-Guest appearances:...
and Herbert Vianna
Herbert Vianna
Herbert Lemos de Sousa Vianna is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist mainly known for his work with rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.- Biography :...
, the three members from Os Paralamas do Sucesso. It is on Selvagem?
Selvagem?
Selvagem? is the third studio album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.It was listed by Rolling Stone Brazil as one of the 100 best Brazilian albums in history.-Track listing:...
, the third album from the band originally released in 1986.
Information
The song describes the reality of Brazilian slums, more specifically in the city of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
(specifically the verse a cidade que tem braços abertos num cartão-postal meaning '"the city with open arms on a postcard") during the economic crisis that hit the nation in the 1980s (the lost decade). In the chorus, the song draws a parallel between the slums in Trenchtown
Trenchtown
Trench Town is a neighborhood located in the parish of St. Andrew which shares municipality with Kingston, the capital and largest city of Jamaica. In the 1960s Trench Town was known as the Hollywood of Jamaica. Today Trench Town boasts the Trench Town Culture Yard Museum, a visitor friendly...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
and the slums in Alagados, Salvador
Salvador, Bahia
Salvador is the largest city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival. The first...
. The song portrays Rio de Janeiro as a place with "fists" which denies its poorest residents. A reference to the popularity of TV sets during that time was also done in the verse a esperança não vem do mar, nem das antenas de tevê ("hope does not come from the sea, nor from the TV antennas"). The song also showed how the Brazilian faith in an improvement in the quality of life seemed to be almost completely over during that time.
In the background, he used images of large pockets of poverty on beaches around the world—the slums of Alagados in Salvador, Trenchtown in Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, the capital of Jamaica and at Maré in Rio—to show the contrast between the cities' joy (these three cities were synonymous with the party) and sadness (mostly situated in its poor residents in the slums). The first stanza is about the people that live in poor living conditions in the dawn of the day, a great challenge since daybreak took away night's fantasy world (dreams) for the day's harsh realities] exemplified by stilts, warehouses and rags. The second stanza addresses the insensitivity of the authorities.