Me Chamando de Paixão

Me Chamando de Paixão is a celebration of the transformative power of love, specifically focusing on the intensity of the present moment rather than the security of the future. The song explores the concept of Carpe Diem within a romantic context.

The central theme is the idea that the quality of an emotional connection outweighs its duration. The narrator experiences a love so profound—likening his partner to an "angel"—that it revitalizes him completely ("puts energy in my body," "stars in my eyes"). This revitalization is so powerful that it instills a sense of peace regarding the relationship's uncertainty.

Implicitly, the song challenges the traditional expectation that a successful relationship must be permanent. Instead, Jorge Ben Jor proposes that a relationship is successful if it brings happiness and rebirth, even if it lasts only a few days. The repetition of the word "Paixão" serves not just as a nickname, but as a mantra emphasizing that passion itself is the fuel of life, capable of hypnotizing and healing the spirit.

The narrative begins with the arrival of a woman who actively seeks out the protagonist. She is not passive; she searches for him, finds him, and immediately captivates him with an almost hypnotic gaze. The interaction is physical and intense from the start, characterized by kissing and loving, while she affectionately addresses him as "Paixão" (Passion).

This romantic encounter is described as a sensory overload that transforms the narrator's reality. Her presence acts as a catalyst for joy and vitality: it feels as though she is placing music directly into his ears, lighting up his eyes with stars, and infusing his body with raw energy. The repetition of her calling him "Passion" reinforces the intensity of the bond.

As the song progresses, the narrator adopts a philosophical stance regarding the future. He asserts that he is unconcerned with the longevity of this affair. Even if she were to leave the very next day and take a long time to return, he would remain content and willing to wait. His reasoning is rooted in deep gratitude: the brief time spent with her has been sufficient to make him happy and feel reborn. He concludes by elevating her status to that of a celestial being, declaring that he has lived, slept, and loved an "angel," making the fleeting nature of the experience irrelevant compared to its quality.

This track was released in 1975 as part of the album Solta o Pavão. This period marked a creative peak for Jorge Ben (as he was then known), sandwiched between his esoteric masterpiece A Tábua de Esmeralda (1974) and the electric funk-samba fusion of África Brasil (1976).

While the previous album was heavily focused on alchemy and mysticism, Solta o Pavão retained some of those themes but blended them with more terrestrial subjects like football and romance. Me Chamando de Paixão represents the romantic soul side of the record.

Musically, this era is notable for the backing of his band, The Admiral Jorge V. The track features the distinct, heavy basslines (likely played by Dadi Carvalho) and the complex, syncopated percussion that defined the "samba-rock" genre. It was produced by Paulinho Tapajós and released under the Philips label. The song showcases Ben's transition period where the acoustic guitar was still present but the sound was becoming increasingly electrified and funky.

The song utilizes a simple, song-like rhyme scheme, often employing perfect rhymes with verb endings (gerunds like procurando/achando/hipnotizando) which give the lyrics a rolling, continuous flow typical of Portuguese samba.

The rhythm is the driving force of the composition. It is set in a 4/4 time signature but heavily syncopated. Jorge Ben's vocal delivery is percussive; he treats the lyrics as an additional rhythmic instrument. The phrasing is short and punchy ("Pa-pa-paixão"), interacting playfully with the bass and drums to create a danceable, hypnotic loop that mirrors the "hypnosis" mentioned in the text.

Musical Techniques:

• The Hook: The song opens and is anchored by the rhythmic, percussive stuttering of the word "Pa-pa-paixão." This vocal percussion mimics the heartbeat of excitement and the syncopation of the drums.
• Groove: The track exemplifies the "Samba-Soul" fusion, using a funk bassline underneath a samba rhythm on the guitar/percussion.

Literary Techniques:

• Anaphora: The repetition of "Me procurando," "Me achando," "Me fitando," "Me beijando" creates a sense of accumulating action and overwhelming affection.
• Parallelism: The structure "Botando música... / Botando estrelas... / Botando energia..." emphasizes the multifaceted impact of the lover on the narrator's senses.

While not as globally ubiquitous as "Mas, Que Nada!" or "Taj Mahal," Me Chamando de Paixão is a cherished deep cut among Jorge Ben Jor aficionados and fans of Brazilian funk. It captures the essence of the Solta o Pavão album, which is often cited by critics and musicians as one of the essential Brazilian albums of the 1970s.

The song contributes to Jorge Ben's legacy as the architect of a unique style that blended African heritage, Brazilian samba, and American soul/funk. It reinforces his persona as the "Alchemist of Sound"—someone who could turn simple romantic themes into complex rhythmic gold.

The lyrics rely on cosmic and sensory imagery to elevate a human relationship to a spiritual experience:

• The Angel (Um Anjo): The lover is repeatedly referred to as an angel. This metaphor suggests purity, salvation, and a love that is 'out of this world.' It explains why the narrator feels 'reborn'—interaction with the divine changes a person fundamentally.
• Stars in my eyes (Estrelas em meus olhos): A metaphor for hope, wonder, and a literal brightening of one's outlook on life. It suggests that love has restored his ability to see beauty.
• Energy in my body (Energia em meu corpo): Represents the vital force or libido. The relationship is not just emotional but physically revitalizing.
• Hypnosis (Hipnotizando): Suggests a loss of control that is welcomed rather than feared. It highlights the captivating power of the woman.

"Pa-pa-paixão": This stuttered repetition is the central motif. It acts as the song's sonic signature, blurring the line between a lyric and a percussion instrument.

"Me chamando de paixão" (Calling me passion): This phrase is repeated constantly, reinforcing the identity the narrator is given by his lover. It serves as the validation he seeks and receives throughout the song.

"Pois nestes dias..." (For in these days...): This phrase introduces the justification for his happiness, marking the shift from describing the action to explaining his philosophical acceptance of the situation.