Brutality Garden:
Tropicália and the
Emergence of a
Brazilian Counterculture

Christopher Dunn

276 pp., 12 color
and 18 b&w illus.

$55.00 cl

$19.95 pb

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  "É proibido proibir" (Caetano Veloso)

me dê um beijo meu amor
eles estão nos esperando
os automóveis ardem em chamas
derrubar as prateleiras, as estantes
as estátuas, as vidraças, louças, livros, sim!
give me a kiss my love
they are waiting for us
the automobiles are in flames
demolish the shelves, the bookcases,
the statues, windows, dishes, books, yes!

Inspired by the slogan "It's forbidden to forbid" of the May 1968 student uprising in Paris, Veloso's rock song "É proibido proibir" expressed the desires and frustrations of an emerging Brazilian counterculture. Veloso performed the rock song at the eliminatory rounds of the International Festival of Song in 1968. That event turned into a watershed "happening" in the history of Brazilian popular music when Veloso and his backup group, Os Mutantes, were jeered by sectors of the studio audience that associated rock with political alienation. Veloso launched into a rambling speech, accusing the audience of policing Brazilian music: "If you are the same in politics as you are in aesthetics weíre done for!" This live performance was subsequently released on the B-side of a single and has since been featured on several compilations. Veloso and Os Mutantes also recorded the tamer studio version of "É proibido proibir" that is featured here.

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