“São Paulo” by The Weeknd and Anitta is a bold and provocative track that blends Brazilian sensuality with dark, atmospheric pop-R&B. The song explores themes of intense desire, power, and seduction, featuring Anitta’s assertive and unapologetic lyrics alongside The Weeknd’s darker, more vulnerable verses.
The lyrics delve into a dynamic of control and submission, with Anitta embodying confidence and The Weeknd surrendering to his partner’s allure. The track is part of The Weeknd’s album Hurry Up Tomorrow! and marks a significant collaboration between these two artists, blending cultural influences and musical styles.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Sao Paulo” Lyrics Meaning
[Part I]
[Intro: Anitta]
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser
The line “Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser,” translated to “Put it in your mouth, put it on your face, put it wherever you want,” reflects Anitta’s confidence and control. It’s a bold declaration of her desires and sets the tone for a relationship where she dictates the terms.
[Refrain: Anitta]
O novinho me olhou e quis comer minha pepequinha
Hoje eu vou dar pro novinho, fode, fode a larissinha
O novinho me olhou e quis comer minha pepequinha
Hoje eu vou dar pro novinho, fode, fode a larissinha
The lines “O novinho me olhou e quis comer minha pepequinha / Hoje eu vou dar pro novinho, fode, fode a larissinha” are playful and provocative. They mean “The young dude looked at me and wanted to fuck my little pussy / Today, I’ll give it to the young dude, fuck, fuck the ‘larissinha.'” These lines highlight Anitta’s agency and willingness to engage in casual, flirtatious interactions.
[Verse: The Weeknd]
Every time I try to run, you put your curse all over me
I surrender at your feet, baby, put it all on me
Every time I try to pray you away, you got me on my knees
I surrender at your feet, baby, put it all on me
The lines “Every time I try to run, you put your curse all over me / I surrender at your feet, baby, put it all on me” convey The Weeknd’s vulnerability and submission. He’s drawn into a relationship where he feels trapped and unable to resist, surrendering to his partner’s control.
[Chorus: The Weeknd]
I love it when you turn me on
I love it when you turn it on
I love it when you turn me on
So come back in and turn it on
The chorus emphasizes The Weeknd’s attraction and pleasure in being controlled by his partner. It highlights the addictive nature of their relationship with lines like “I love it when you turn me on / I love it when you turn it on.”
[Refrain: Anitta & The Weeknd]
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser (Turn me on)
(Turn me on) O novinho me olhou e quis comer minha pepequinha
(Turn me on) Hoje eu vou dar pro novinho, fode, fode a larissinha
(Turn me on) O novinho me olhou e quis comer minha pepequinha
Hoje eu vou dar pro novinho, fode, fode a larissinha (Turn me on)
The repetition of Anitta’s lines with The Weeknd’s “Turn me on” reinforces the themes of desire and control. It blends Anitta’s assertiveness with The Weeknd’s submission.
[Bridge: Anitta]
Bota na boca, bota na cara
Bota na boca, bota na cara
Bota na boca, bota na cara
Bota na boca, bota na cara
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser
The repetition of “Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser” reinforces Anitta’s control and confidence throughout the song.
[Part II]
[Verse 1: The Weeknd]
Baby, ride me ’til the darkness of the night
Kill me softly like you want me euthanized, oh yeah
The lines “Baby, ride me ’til the darkness of the night / Kill me softly like you want me euthanized, oh yeah” suggest a deep, almost fatal attraction. The Weeknd is willing to surrender completely to the relationship, even if it feels destructive.
[Pre-Chorus: The Weeknd]
Hot like risin’ sun, burnin’ everything she touch
She don’t even want your money, can buy you and someone else
She’s addicted to the rush, I can never get enough
She desensitized to money, need to pay with something else
The pre-chorus highlights the intense passion and power dynamics with lines like “Hot like risin’ sun, burnin’ everything she touch / She don’t even want your money, can buy you and someone else.” The partner is not interested in material wealth but in the thrill of the relationship.
[Chorus: The Weeknd]
Baby, you turn me on
Baby, you turn me on
Baby, you turn me on
Girl, you turn me on
Similar to Part I, this chorus emphasizes the addictive nature of the attraction and the desire to be turned on by the partner.
[Verse 2: The Weeknd]
Hit it from the back, she louder than two sold-out nights
I think she fell in love, she said she trust me with her life, oh
The lines “Hit it from the back, she louder than two sold-out nights / I think she fell in love, she said she trust me with her life, oh” suggest a deep emotional connection alongside the physical attraction. The partner’s trust and love are central to the relationship.
[Pre-Chorus: The Weeknd & Anitta]
Hot like risin’ sun, burnin’ everything she touch
She don’t even want your money, can buy you and someone else
She’s addicted to the rush, I could never get enough (Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota na boca, bota na cara)
She desensitized to money, need to pay with something else
The repetition of the pre-chorus lines with Anitta’s interjections reinforces the themes of passion and control.
[Bridge: The Weeknd & Anitta]
Oh, baby
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Take it easy, easy on me (Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser)
Take it easy, easy on me, oh (Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser)
Take it easy, easy on me
Oh, oh, oh
The bridge blends The Weeknd’s vulnerability with Anitta’s assertiveness, suggesting a balance in their dynamic with lines like “Take it easy, easy on me (Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser).”
[Outro: Anitta]
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota na boca, bota na cara
Bota na boca, bota na cara
Bota na boca, bota na cara
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser
The final repetition of “Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser” emphasizes Anitta’s consistent control and confidence throughout the song.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Sao Paulo”
“São Paulo” by The Weeknd and Anitta delves into profound themes of desire, power dynamics, and the complex interplay between control and surrender. The song’s lyrics, which blend Portuguese and English, create a rich tapestry of cultural influences, reflecting the vibrant and seductive nature of the relationship portrayed. Anitta’s verses, particularly her refrain “Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser” (Put it in your mouth, put it on your face, put it wherever you want), showcase her confidence and agency, flipping traditional gender roles in the narrative of seduction. This assertive tone is reminiscent of powerful female characters in films like Eyes Wide Shut, where women challenge conventional dynamics by expressing their desires openly.
The Weeknd’s contributions to the song introduce a contrasting perspective, one of vulnerability and emotional surrender. His lines, such as “Everytime I try to run, you put your curse all over me / I surrender at your feet, baby, put it all on me,” highlight the addictive nature of the relationship, where power constantly shifts between the two parties. This dynamic is underscored by imagery that equates passion with both creation and destruction, as seen in metaphors involving fire and the rush of the relationship. The juxtaposition of Anitta’s assertiveness and The Weeknd’s vulnerability creates a layered narrative that explores the complexities of human connection, where both partners wield control in different ways.
Beyond its themes of desire and power, “São Paulo” also reflects a broader cultural and artistic collaboration. The song’s release was part of The Weeknd’s promotional efforts for his album Hurry Up Tomorrow, which includes a one-off concert in São Paulo. This concert, along with the song’s release, marked significant moments in The Weeknd’s career, symbolizing both a celebration of his artistic journey and a farewell to his moniker. The city of São Paulo itself holds symbolic importance, potentially representing a turning point or a place of transformation for The Weeknd, echoing themes of redemption and personal growth.
In the context of The Weeknd’s broader discography, “São Paulo” continues his tradition of storytelling through music, often blending personal experiences with fictional narratives. While the song is not a direct reflection of his life, it captures the essence of his artistic exploration of love, desire, and vulnerability. The collaboration with Anitta brings a unique cultural dimension, blending Brazilian funk with The Weeknd’s signature R&B style, creating a universal language of desire and connection that transcends geographical boundaries.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.