O Que Eu Quero Ser Quando For Grande

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a child in fourth grade grappling with expectations after a writing assignment. Initially, the narrator dreams big, wanting to be a sailor or a traveling performer, embracing a life of adventure and charm. These early aspirations are full of vibrant imagery, suggesting a desire for freedom and excitement. The turning point arrives when the teacher harshly criticizes the child's first essay, calling the dreams "bad taste." This rejection forces a swift and drastic pivot. The narrator revises their ambition, opting for the safety and predictability of becoming a clerk, a stark contrast to the earlier romantic ideals. The craft here is in the sharp juxtaposition of the two essays. The first speaks of "sulcar o azul do mar" (plowing the blue sea) and enchanting "raparigas" (girls), full of active verbs and grand visions. The second, however, describes being a "barquinho apagado" (a faded little boat) that is "humilde e bem comportado" (humble and well-behaved), emphasizing passivity and conformity. The teacher's approval of the second, mundane essay highlights a societal pressure that values obedience over imagination. This shift is what makes the lyrics resonate. It captures a common childhood experience of learning that certain dreams are discouraged, leading to a compromise with reality. The narrator's eventual success, marked by the teacher's praise and a high grade for the revised, subdued ambition, underscores a poignant, perhaps even cynical, lesson about conforming to gain approval.