In March, MARO won Portugal’s national selection for Eurovision 2022 and earned the ticket to Turin. In a voting system like that of Festival Da Canção, where 24 points are the maximum, it would usually be quite difficult to win by a double-digit margin. But “saudade, saudade” knew no limits, winning both the jury and the televote, finishing a full ten points clear of the runner-up.

The song, a touching indie track with lyrics in both English and Portuguese, tells MARO’s story of dealing with the passing of her grandfather. The song utilises the famous Portuguese word “saudade”, which describes a feeling of deep melancholic longing that cannot be conveyed with words. In the song, MARO tries to describe her emotions, saying that “nothing […] says it in a better way” than “saudade”.

Scroll down for the “saudade, saudade” lyrics

Portugal in Eurovision 2022: MARO “saudade, saudade”

MARO is a Portuguese singer of Italian descent living in the United States. She has studied at the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, and since then relocated to Los Angeles. She has worked with the likes of Eurovision 2017 winner Salvador Sobral, 2018 interval act Mayra Andrade, as well as past and present music greats such as Eric Clapton and Jacob Collier.

“saudade, saudade” is one of only two songs this year (Montenegro’s “Breathe” being the other) that is not written in the common (4/4) time signature. It is written in 6/4 time, with skipped beats every few measures making for a truly progressive feel that gives the song a unique vibe.

What do the “saudade, saudade” lyrics mean?

The Online Dictionary defines “saudade” as a Portuguese folk culture term for a deep emotional state of melancholic longing for a person or thing that is absent, common in Lusophone literature and music.

Speaking to Escbubble after FdC semi-final one, MARO said: “[saudade] is about longing, and this song specifically is about my granddad who is no longer with us, and was a big big part of my life and me. I’m talking about how much I miss him, and I guess paying homage to him”.

The song is in the key of B♭ Minor and counts 83 beats per minute. It may sound positive thanks to its ethereal string and percussion instrumentation, but the lyrics don’t present a bright side. The notion of saudade reflects in the agony of the lyrics, as MARO repeats: “Somehow I can’t move on, oh you’re gone”.

The Portuguese lyrics round out what appears to be an entry in MARO’s personal diary: “There’s so much I carry with me / It was always my safe haven / And now nothing makes sense / I’ve lost my best friend”. Before the song goes into its final refrain, MARO brings the theme back to the idea of saudade, and how the word reflects her feelings. “And if it’s not too much / I ask for signs / There’s only one word left”.

“saudade, saudade” lyrics – MARO (Portugal Eurovision 2022)

Written and composed by: Mariana “MARO” Secca, John Blanda

I’ve tried to write
A million other songs but
Somehow I can’t move on, oh you’re gone

Takes time, alright
And I know it’s no one’s fault but
Somehow I can’t move on, oh you’re gone

Saudade
Saudade
Nothing more that I can say
Says it in a better way

Saudade
Saudade
Nothing more that I can say
Says it in a better way

Tem tanto que trago comigo
Foi sempre o meu porto de abrigo
E agora nada faz sentido
Perdi o meu melhor amigo

E se não for demais
Peço por sinais
Resta uma só palavra

Saudade
Saudade
Nothing more that I can say
Says it in a better way

Saudade
Saudade
Nothing more that I can say
Says it in a better way

Nothing more that I can say
Says it in a better way

I’ve tried, alright
But it’s killing me inside
Thought you’d be by my side always

Portuguese section English translation

There’s so much I carry with me
It was always my safe haven
And now nothing makes sense
I’ve lost my best friend

And if it’s not too much
I ask for signs
There’s only one word left

Do you connect with the lyrics of “saudade, saudade”? How do you think MARO will do at Eurovision 2022 for Portugal? Let us know in the comments below.

19 Comments
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ROB
ROB
1 year ago

iT’S A VERY VERY VERY BEAUTIFUL SONG SO WELL SUNG BY MARO (?). THE MUSIC IS OUT OF THIS WORLD TECHNICALLY IMPECCABLE AND FAULTLESS. iT DOES CONVEY A SADNESS IN ITS OVERALL TONE AND OTHER WORLDLY “SAUDADE.” IT’S BEAUTIFUL.

Mac Baker
Mac Baker
1 year ago

The most beautiful song I have heard in years, I love the version ‘MARO – saudade, saudade (Live in Avinyó)’ on youtube but heard it first on Eurovision, and I was hooked straight away… Maro certainly deserves every accolade it’s clear from her time in Berkley just how admired she is by her Peers. This song is introverted and yet captivating….thank you for allowing me into this part of your journey.
Mac Baker

noone
noone
1 year ago

I love this song! This and Netherlands are my favorites this year. It would be amazing if any of these won, but of course that’s not going to happen. I hope that Maro at least qualifies. Portugal has sent real quality in the last few years, but it hasn’t really paid off: O Jardim was struggling and Conan Oisris didn’t qualify. I’m afraid this will be another NQ for Portugal or it will be saved by juries.

vogue
vogue
1 year ago

Portugal is maybe the most underrated country in ESC history. This year they’re sending their best with this masterful track. My best wishes to MARO.

Sweden for the win in 2022
Sweden for the win in 2022
1 year ago

Apparently there is no word in English that could mean “saudade”. As a native Portuguese speaker (from Brazil), I love this song for being in English and using this Portuguese word at the same time, because I think this song describes/translates perfectly the feeling we have with “saudade” – when you really miss someone that you love (when this someone is too far away and you have not been seeing each other for a long time, for example), or even miss a time that has passed (like when you miss the times when you were a kid). I think this… Read more »

Michael Green
Michael Green
1 year ago

She did an amazing interview to Esc Norge

Michael Green
Michael Green
1 year ago

It’s a Great entry for Portugal! I wish her the best! She’s so excited to go to Eurovision, and she’s commenting on her favorites like Greece and Norway.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Michael Green

The banana song is one of her favorites? Well, I guess nobody is perfect after all…

Jofi
Jofi
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold
She didn't say exactly that Norway was one of her favourites. She was asked which artist from this year she would possibly like to collaborate with and she answered "all" but as a first, Amanda because she thinks that their "style" of music are close. She also said she like to explore differents things music wise and that she kinda had on repeat Shum and Tout l'Univers videos from last year. 
Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Jofi

MARO and Amanda together would absolutely make my ESC season, thanks for letting me know!

sri jayawardenapura kotte

I didnt know she was of Italian descent even if Secca is not a portuguese surname

Joao
Joao
1 year ago

She has DISTANT italian descent, like one great-great-great grandfather… meaning like 3% italian. 

Joao
Joao
1 year ago

(through Brazil, by the way)

Lambert
Lambert
1 year ago

This song is not for everybody. But my, do I love it. Pure quality. You can feel the love for music. Such a subtle and sensitive song. Would have been perfect, if it would be 100% in Portuguese (which I don’t understand, but it sounds so nice).

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

The BEST lyrics this year! She deserves to win hands down based even purely on these lyrics!

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

O mine more than half the songs are about pain and crying and suffering and being very intense…
As Alaska (Spanish singer) sings: No quiero más dramas en mi vida, solo comedias entretenidas…

Atlas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Alaska es más petarda española que cantante…porque de cantar …

Prc
Prc
1 year ago

I love how Portugal always dare to bring something different to the Eurovision stage. Even if I’m not a fan of all portuguese entries I’ll have to recognize that Portugal is probably my favorite nation on Eurovision just because they’re brave enough to try something new and they impersonate what I think Eurovision is: “let’s bring all our differences together and make a party”. “Saudade, saudade” looks so simple but is so complex music composition wise. The second segment and the chorus are just brilliant. And because of this entry, I’ve just discovered Maro and this collaboration with an american… Read more »

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

Honestly, this is one of my favourite Eurovision entries ever. Maybe it’s because I can relate to the simplicity of the lyrics, but it just makes me tear up when I hear it.

I believe Portugal will finish with a top 10 result, equally doing well with the Juries and Televote. MARO will bring a sense of calm to a final full of over the top performances, and it will pay off.