Brazil by Declan McKenna Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Socio-Political Anthem for a Troubled Generation

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Declan McKenna's Brazil at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I heard you sold the Amazon
To show the country that you’re from
Is where the world should want to be
For a fine something all people need

I’m faithless now though we win
Every time and I don’t know how
‘Cause I haven’t bought you
And I haven’t sold me
But the people are dying to, to get on TV

I heard he lives down a river somewhere
With six cars and a grizzly bear
He got eyes, but he can’t see
Well, he talks like an angel but he looks like me

Oh Lord, what have I become?
I’m the face of God, I’m my father’s son
I’m not what you think you see
I know you can’t eat leather, but you can’t stop me

Why would you lie, why would you lie about how you feel?
I’ve got a mission and my mission is real
Because you’ve had your chances, yeah, you’ve had enough
I’m gonna burn your house down to spread peace and love
And it gets me down
Oh, Lord, how it gets me down

I heard he lives down a river somewhere
With six cars and a grizzly bear
He got eyes, but he can’t see
Well, he talks like an angel but he looks like me
Oh Lord
Oh Lord

I wanna play the beautiful game while in Brazil
‘Cause everybody plays the beautiful game while I’m in Brazil
‘Cause it’s all you’ve ever wanted and it’s all that you want still
Don’t you wanna play the beautiful game out in Brazil?
I wanna play the beautiful game while I’m in Brazil
‘Cause everybody plays the beautiful game out in Brazil
And it’s all you’ve ever wanted and it’s all that you want still
Don’t you wanna play the beautiful game out in Brazil?
(Oh yeah)

I heard he lives down a river somewhere
With six cars and a grizzly bear
He got eyes, but he can’t see
Well, he talks like an angel but he looks like me
I heard he lives down a river somewhere
With six cars and a grizzly bear
He got eyes, but he can’t see
Well, he talks like an angel but he looks like me

(And that was my triple collateral on Free for All)

Declan McKenna’s ‘Brazil’ is not just another foot-tapping indie rock anthem; it’s a profound narrative layered with social commentary and powerful imagery. At a cursory glance, the song may seem like a forlorn love letter to the game of football in Brazil, but upon closer examination, it reveals itself as a poignant critique on the socio-political issues that grip our world.

Threads of disillusion and activism are woven throughout the lyrics, and its catchy, upbeat sound belies a deeper message that has resonated with listeners globally. Let’s delve into the layers of ‘Brazil,’ dissecting its meaning, uncovering its hidden messages, and pondering its most piercing lines.

The Amazon Sale: A Cutting Critique on Environmental Exploitation

The opening lines of ‘Brazil’ immediately dive into a narrative that resonates with a sense of national betrayal. McKenna speaks of the sale of the Amazon, an action symbolic of the environmental sacrifices made for the sake of economic development. The lyrics suggest a world obsessed with progress at any cost, and McKenna questions the moral compass guiding such decisions.

This juxtaposition of the love for one’s country against detrimental policy decisions strikes a chord right out of the gate. It is emblematic of the tough questions the song dares to ask about identity, nationalism, and responsibility toward ecological conservation.

The Enigmatic River Dweller: Greed and Its Consequences

McKenna paints the portrait of a character who lives in excess, ‘down a river somewhere,’ surrounded by material wealth yet lacking in vision. This metaphorical river dweller not only exemplifies the blindness of those in power to the damage they cause but also mirrors our society’s broader disregard for the consequences of unfettered consumerism.

By introducing an individual so detached from reality, the song presents an allegory of modern-day greed and isolation. It’s a potent reminder of the emptiness that often comes with the pursuit of wealth, and the song’s recurring character stands as a stark contrast to the collective suffering that unfolds in the background.

Uncovering the Meaning Behind ‘The Beautiful Game’

Soccer, or ‘The Beautiful Game’ as it’s fondly referred to, holds a special place in the heart of Brazil. However, McKenna’s reverberating chorus ‘I wanna play the beautiful game while in Brazil’ hints at something deeper than a mere declaration of love for the sport. It’s a metaphor for innocence and joy, a game untainted by the corruption and social disparities that plague the country.

His longing to participate becomes a stand-in for the universal desire to find simplicity and fairness in life. The game becomes a representation of hope amidst corruption, a goal that feels increasingly out of reach in the context of the song’s narrative.

Confronting Falsehoods and Igniting Change: The Misfit’s Mission

The lie McKenna refers to can be interpreted as the false narratives and empty promises peddled by those in power. The song’s protagonist is on a mission to expose these deceptions and spread a message of peace and love, though paradoxically through an aggressive act of ‘burn[ing] your house down.’ This line foregrounds the frustration and radical action sometimes deemed necessary to instigate change in an apathetic world.

McKenna does not shy away from the inherent discord in the pursuit of change, capturing the inner turmoil of those who seek to balance aggression with the desire for harmony. The imagery of destruction for the sake of peace remains one of the song’s most arresting contradictions.

Parsing the Profound: ‘I’m the Face of God, I’m My Father’s Son’

Potentially the most enigmatic and debated lines in the song, ‘I’m the face of God, I’m my father’s son,’ mixes religious iconography with personal identity. It’s as though McKenna is grappling with the notion of being made in the likeness of an all-powerful being, while concurrently acknowledging his hereditary ties and inherent flaws as a human.

This self-reflective moment highlights the song’s philosophical underpinnings — the struggle between divinity and humanity, the sacred and the profane. It stands as a central theme that encapsulates the song’s essence, pushing listeners to contemplate their own roles and identities within the complexities of the modern world.