São Paulo (feat. Anitta)

The Weeknd , Anitta

A sultry electronic anthem with a relentless Brazilian funk rhythm, this song creates a dark, sensual, and intoxicating atmosphere of desire and surrender.

Song Information

Release Date January 31, 2025
Duration 05:01
Album Hurry Up Tomorrow
Language EN
Popularity 88/100

Song Meaning

"São Paulo" is a multi-layered track that explores themes of intense desire, power dynamics, seduction, and surrender. The song creates a narrative of a passionate and consuming relationship through the contrasting yet complementary perspectives of The Weeknd and Anitta. Anitta's Portuguese verses, heavily influenced by Brazilian funk, are explicit and assertive, embodying a character who is in confident control of her sexuality and desires. Her repetition of the line "Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser" is a bold declaration of sexual freedom and agency.

In contrast, The Weeknd's lyrics express a sense of vulnerability and submission. He portrays himself as being under a "curse," unable to resist the allure of his partner, surrendering at her feet. This creates a fascinating dynamic of power, where Anitta's character appears dominant and in control, while The Weeknd's character is willingly submissive to the intoxicating passion. The song delves into the darker aspects of romance and lust, a common theme in The Weeknd's music, with lyrics that convey an almost dangerous level of obsession and longing. The collaboration itself represents a fusion of cultures, blending Anitta's Brazilian roots with The Weeknd's signature dark, atmospheric R&B and synth-pop sound. The title itself pays homage to the Brazilian city where the collaboration was sparked and first performed.

Lyrics Analysis

The song opens with Anitta's provocative and assertive Portuguese lyrics, inviting a lover to be intimate without inhibition, repeatedly chanting "Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser," which translates to "Put it in the mouth, put it on the face, put it wherever you want." She speaks of a young man's desire for her, expressing her own intention to reciprocate, reinforcing a theme of confident sexual agency.

The Weeknd's verse shifts the emotional tone to one of vulnerability and obsession. He describes being under a captivating "curse," feeling an irresistible pull towards his partner that makes him surrender completely. He feels compelled to get on his knees as if in prayer, yet it is a submission to this powerful, all-consuming attraction. His chorus is a straightforward confession of his arousal, repeatedly stating, "I love it when you turn me on," urging his lover to continue igniting this passion.

The two artists' parts intertwine, with Anitta's bold refrain layered under The Weeknd's declarations of being turned on, creating a dynamic dialogue of mutual desire. The song's second part delves deeper into the darker, more intense side of this connection. The Weeknd's lyrics become more visceral, with lines like "Baby, ride me to the darkness of the night" and the unsettling plea, "Kill me softly like you want me euthanized." This suggests a desire for an intoxicating, almost dangerous level of passion. He describes his partner as being as hot as the sun, burning everything she touches, and addicted to the rush of intensity, a craving he can never get enough of. He acknowledges that she is not interested in material things, requiring a different, more profound kind of payment. The narrative portrays an obsessive attraction, where pleasure is intertwined with a sense of peril and complete surrender. The Weeknd's final plea, "Take it easy, easy on me," reveals a moment of vulnerability amidst the overwhelming emotional and physical intensity, highlighting the complex power dynamics at play.

History of Creation

The collaboration for "São Paulo" began unexpectedly. Initially, producer Mike Dean contacted Anitta for a vocal recording to be used during a special one-night-only concert The Weeknd was holding in São Paulo, Brazil, on September 7, 2024. Anitta recorded some verses, which she later described as being written "as a joke," not imagining they would evolve into a full song. However, The Weeknd was so impressed with her contribution that he decided to create a complete track around her vocals. He stated, "What she sent was so awesome that we created the song. We knew it was too special to just play on stage."

The song was produced by The Weeknd, Mike Dean, and co-produced by Sean Solymar. It was officially released on October 30, 2024, as the second single from The Weeknd's sixth studio album, "Hurry Up Tomorrow". The release was preceded by cryptic social media posts, including a photo of a pregnant Anitta wearing a white mask, an aesthetic associated with The Weeknd's album cycle. The song's debut performance occurred during The Weeknd's aforementioned concert in São Paulo, where Anitta made a surprise appearance on stage, initially disguised as one of his dancers.

Symbolism and Metaphors

The song is rich with symbolism and metaphors that deepen its themes of lust, power, and spiritual conflict. Anitta can be seen as a personification of lust and temptation, a powerful, seductive figure who leads The Weeknd's character into a state of hedonistic desire. This is a recurring motif in The Weeknd's work, reminiscent of the tempting figures in his previous albums.

The Weeknd's lyric, "Every time I try to run, you put your curse all over me," uses the metaphor of a curse to describe the inescapable and consuming nature of his attraction. It suggests a loss of control and a submission to a force more powerful than his will. The plea "Kill me softly like you want me euthanized" is a dark metaphor that intertwines pleasure with destruction, suggesting a desire to be completely consumed by the passion, even to the point of annihilation.

The city of São Paulo itself holds symbolic weight, representing a place of rebirth and transformation for The Weeknd's artistic narrative. The music video further explores themes of birth and transformation with its surreal imagery of a pregnant Anitta, whose belly sings The Weeknd's parts, suggesting a symbolic rebirth of his persona through this intense, lustful experience.

Emotional Background

The emotional atmosphere of "São Paulo" is predominantly sensual, dark, and intense. It creates a landscape of intoxicating desire and passionate obsession. The song's feeling is built through the synergy of its musical and lyrical elements. The relentless, driving Brazilian funk beat creates a feeling of sweaty, hypnotic energy from the very beginning. This is layered with The Weeknd's signature dark synth pads and atmospheric production, which adds a mysterious and slightly menacing quality.

Anitta's bold, unapologetic vocal delivery exudes confidence and sexual empowerment, setting a provocative tone. This contrasts with The Weeknd's more vulnerable, breathy vocals, which convey a sense of surrender and being consumed by passion. There's a palpable tension throughout the song, a push-and-pull between dominance and submission, control and abandon. While the primary emotion is sensual, there are undercurrents of danger and vulnerability, especially in lyrics like "Kill me softly," which introduce a darker, almost obsessive edge to the passion.

Cultural Influence

"São Paulo" made a significant cultural impact as a high-profile collaboration between a global superstar, The Weeknd, and one of Brazil's most prominent artists, Anitta, bringing the Brazilian funk genre to a massive international audience. The song's debut during a special concert in the city of São Paulo created a major viral moment and immense anticipation for its official release.

Upon its release, the song charted in multiple countries. In the United States, it debuted at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later peaked at number 43, becoming Anitta's highest-charting single in the country. In Canada, it reached number 22, and in Brazil, it peaked at number five on the Brasil Hot 100. The music video, directed by Freeka Tet, also garnered significant attention for its unsettling and surreal body horror imagery, particularly the depiction of a pregnant Anitta with a singing mouth on her stomach, which was timed for a Halloween release. The collaboration was seen as a major step in the growing trend of cross-cultural and genre-blending music, successfully fusing The Weeknd's dark pop aesthetic with Anitta's authentic Brazilian sound.

Rhyme and Rhythm

The rhythmic foundation of "São Paulo" is its most defining characteristic, driven by a pulsating, unrelenting Brazilian funk beat. This creates a hypnotic and danceable quality that is central to the song's seductive feel. The tempo is high-energy, compelling movement and mirroring the lyrical themes of passion and rush. The song largely eschews a conventional climax or "drop," instead maintaining a consistent, driving rhythm throughout, which is a hallmark of the funk carioca genre.

Anitta's lyrical rhythm is sharp and percussive, aligning perfectly with the funk beat. Her use of repetition in the phrase "Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser" acts as a rhythmic and lyrical hook. The rhyme scheme in her Portuguese verses is direct and effective. The Weeknd's verses feature a smoother, more flowing lyrical delivery that contrasts with the staccato nature of the beat, creating a compelling tension. His rhyme schemes are more typical of contemporary R&B and pop. The interplay between the artists' distinct rhythmic and lyrical styles is a key element of the song's dynamic structure.

Stylistic Techniques

"São Paulo" is a stylistic fusion that blends The Weeknd's signature dark, synth-heavy soundscapes with the energetic, percussive rhythms of Brazilian funk. The production, handled by The Weeknd and Mike Dean, prioritizes a relentless, hypnotic rhythm over a traditional song structure with a distinct climax, which is characteristic of the Brazilian funk genre. Anitta's vocal delivery is bold and assertive, reflecting the provocative nature of her lyrics, which are delivered in Portuguese and pay homage to funk carioca pioneers like Tati Quebra Barraco.

The Weeknd employs his characteristic smooth, ethereal vocals, which create a stark contrast with Anitta's delivery. This vocal interplay mirrors the lyrical themes of power and submission. The song features a two-part structure, morphing midway from a sultry dance track into a more unnerving and atmospheric piece. Literary techniques include the use of powerful metaphors (the "curse" of attraction) and vivid, sometimes dark, imagery ("Kill me softly like you want me euthanized") to convey the intensity of the emotions. Repetition is used extensively, particularly in Anitta's hook, to create a hypnotic and memorable effect that draws the listener into the song's sensual world.

Emotions

sensual longing tension excitement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of the lyrics in 'São Paulo' by The Weeknd and Anitta?

The song explores themes of intense desire, seduction, and power dynamics. Anitta's explicit Portuguese lyrics express sexual confidence and control, while The Weeknd's verses convey a sense of surrender and obsession within a passionate, all-consuming relationship.

What does Anitta's repetitive line 'Bota na boca, bota na cara' mean?

The line translates to "Put it in the mouth, put it on the face, put it wherever you want." It's a provocative and assertive statement of sexual agency and control, borrowed from Brazilian funk pioneer Tati Quebra Barraco.

What genre is the song 'São Paulo'?

The song is primarily a blend of Brazilian Funk (specifically funk carioca) and The Weeknd's signature styles of Synth-pop, Contemporary R&B, and Electronic music.

When was 'São Paulo' by The Weeknd and Anitta released?

The song was officially released on October 30, 2024, as a single from The Weeknd's album 'Hurry Up Tomorrow'.

What is the symbolism behind the music video for 'São Paulo'?

The video's surreal imagery, featuring a pregnant Anitta with The Weeknd's mouth on her belly, symbolizes a metaphorical rebirth. It can be interpreted as the birth of The Weeknd's new artistic persona, consumed and transformed by the lust and intensity represented by Anitta's character.

How did the collaboration between The Weeknd and Anitta for 'São Paulo' happen?

Anitta was initially asked to provide a vocal recording for The Weeknd's show in São Paulo. The Weeknd was so impressed by her contribution, which she initially wrote as a joke, that they decided to develop it into a full song for his album.

What is the significance of the song's title, 'São Paulo'?

The title pays homage to the Brazilian city where the collaboration was conceived and first performed live. Symbolically, the city represents a place of artistic transformation and rebirth within the narrative of The Weeknd's album.

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