Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: samba
Song Meaning of “Carinhoso” by Pixinguinha
Carinhoso, or “tender love,” is a classic Brazilian song composed by one of Brazil’s most renowned musicians, Pixinguinha. With its soulful melody and evocative lyrics, the song is a beautiful ode to romantic love and longing.
The narrator of the song is filled with communal longing, and speaks of the city as his beloved. He sings of missing his companion, of their tender moments together, of sweet glances, and of passionate embraces. The city lights seem to bring with them a comforting image of the narrator’s beloved, and his heart longs for her to be in his arms and stay there forever. The images of the song often speak of samba, and its celebratory rhythms are woven through the lyrics like a tapestry.
The tenderness of Carinhoso lies in the nostalgia of love and longing. Here, the narrator’s pain and yearning becomes a bridge between him and his beloved, prompting him to travel through the city in search of her. The listener can’t help but feel the weight of the narrator’s loneliness and the deep love that keeps him searching for a connection. While the music speaks of a longing found in saudade, it is also a celebration of the devoted love shared between two people.