Tratos À Bola

Song Meaning

{"song_id": 11409014, "meaning": "Rita Lee's \"Tratos À Bola\" unfolds like a charming, slightly ironic fairy tale, a pop-infused reflection on childhood promises and the unpredictable nature of love and life. The song meaning hinges on the cyclical return of a childhood sweetheart, a boy who once teased her, declaring he would one day truly love her. The lyrics paint a picture of youthful innocence tinged with the knowing cynicism of adulthood. The repeated line \"E daí, eu cresci, dei tratos à bola e saí por aí\" (And then, I grew up, I kicked the ball and went out there) is key. \"Dar tratos à bola\" is a Portuguese idiom that means to make things happen, to hustle, to live life, to take care of things. The return of the childhood crush, fulfilling his long-ago 'prophecy,' isn't treated with breathless romanticism. Instead, there’s a playful acceptance, a shrug of the shoulders. Rita Lee acknowledges the inherent absurdity of it all with “Senhoras e senhores, imaginem minha cara/Aquela que eu fazia quando eu era menininha” (Ladies and gentlemen, imagine my face/The one I made when I was a little girl). The song isn't necessarily about the specific relationship, but rather the larger message of possibility. It uses this personal anecdote to highlight the unexpected turns life can take. The song’s final verse solidifies this theme. \"Mas isso me mostrou que nada é mesmo impossível/Uma vez que se acredite de todo coração\" (But that showed me that nothing is really impossible/Once you believe with all your heart). However, the subsequent lines add a layer of complexity. It’s not just blind faith; it’s about remaining open to possibilities, embracing the future with a sense of wonder. \"Eu gosto de pensar que tenho a vida pela frente/Pra ver acontecer o que nem sonha a imaginação\" (I like to think that I have my whole life ahead of me/To see happen what imagination doesn't even dream). \"Tratos À Bola\" is an optimistic anthem, suggesting that life, like a game of soccer, is full of unexpected twists, turns, and goals that we never saw coming."}