Memória

ROSALÍA & Carminho

Lyrics

Ainda te lembras de mim? Ainda sabes de onde eu vim? Quem sou esta que aqui estou? Diz-me no meu olhar triste Que alguma memória existe E ainda sabes quem sou
Diz-me se ainda tropeço Se me alegro, se agradeço Ou se ainda sei cantar Recorda-me por favor Alguma coisa, o que for Que eu não consigo lembrar
Vem comigo pela cidade Diz-me com sinceridade Sе tu te lembras de mim Ondе cresci e amei Com quem vivi e me dei Ou se a algo eu pus fim
Será que tu me conheces? Que o tempo passa e não esqueces Quem eu fui e sou enfim Ó meu doce coração Diz-me se sabes ou não Ainda te lembras de mim?
Siempre que me acuerdo de algo Siempre lo recuerdo un poco diferente Y sea como sea ese recuerdo Siempre es verdad en mi mente Y si mi alma se derrama Y la falta de pasado es el olvido Cuando muera solo pido No olvidar lo que he vivido
Será que tu me conheces? Que o tempo passa e não esqueces Quem eu fui e sou enfim Ó meu doce coração Diz-me se sabes ou não Ainda te lembras de mim?

English Translation

Do you still remember me? Do you know where I came from? Who I am standing right here? Tell me in my sad look That some recollection remains And you still know who I am
Tell me if I still stumble If I'm joyful, if I'm grateful Or if I still know how to sing Remember me, please Something, whatever it is That I can't remember
Come with me through the city Tell me sincerely If you remember me Where I grew up and loved With whom I lived and gave myself Or if I put an end to something
Do you know me? Does time pass and you don't forget Who I was and I am anyway? Oh, my sweetheart Tell me if you know or not Do you still remember me?
Whenever I remember something I always remember it in a different way And however that memory may be It's always true in my mind And if my soul overflows And the absence of past is the oblivion When I die, I just ask Not to forget what I've lived
Do you know me? Does time pass and you don't forget Who I was and I am anyway? Oh, my sweetheart Tell me if you know or not Do you still remember me?

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The Meaning of "Memória"

A Desperate Plea to Be Remembered

"Memória" ("Memory") is a heartbreakingly beautiful Fado duet that explores the terror of losing one's identity. Sung primarily by the legendary Portuguese Fado singer Carminho, the song takes the form of a desperate plea to a loved one. The narrator is losing her memories and begs her "sweetheart" to act as her anchor to the past, asking, "Do you still remember me? / Do you know where I came from?"

The Fragility of the Self

She asks for confirmation of her most basic traits—if she still stumbles, feels joy, or even knows how to sing. It's a devastating portrayal of how identity is tied to memory. Without her past, she fears she will become a stranger to herself. The song is steeped in *saudade*, the profound Portuguese feeling of longing and nostalgia, but here it's a longing for a self that is slipping away.

A Defiant Wish to Not Forget

ROSALÍA's verse in Spanish provides a poignant counterpoint. She reflects on the subjective nature of memory, acknowledging that it's always "true in my mind," regardless of its accuracy. She then offers a final, powerful wish against oblivion: "When I die, I just ask / Not to forget what I've lived." It's a defiant cry to hold onto the essence of her experiences, even as the details fade, transforming the song from a simple lament into a profound meditation on life, loss, and the enduring power of lived truth.

About The Track

"Memória" is a stunning highlight from ROSALÍA's album LUX, a powerful collaboration with the celebrated Portuguese Fado icon, **Carminho**. The track is a masterful execution of traditional Fado, a genre known for its deep sense of melancholy, longing, and soulful vocal performances, typically accompanied by the Portuguese guitar. This collaboration serves as a beautiful bridge between ROSALÍA's contemporary artistry and the deep-rooted musical traditions of the Iberian Peninsula.

The song's structure as a dialogue between two voices—one losing her memory and the other reflecting on its nature—creates a deeply emotional and compelling narrative. The combination of Carminho's authentic, masterful Fado delivery and ROSALÍA's unique vocal style results in a track that is both timeless and modern. "Memória" is a testament to the power of cross-generational and cross-cultural collaboration, creating one of the most poignant and artistically significant moments on the album.