"Construção" by Chico Buarque: Analysis of Verses, Structure, Political Context and Historical Importance
A masterpiece of Brazilian music, one of the most brilliant pieces of music ever written.
"Construção" (meaning "Construction" in English), is considered one of the greatest works of Brazilian popular music (MPB) and is frequently cited as the most important song in the country's history.
Its relevance transcends time, being acclaimed both for its innovative musical structure and its profound social and political content, especially considering it was composed and released during one of the darkest periods in Brazilian history: the military dictatorship.
Note: The title "Construção" carries a dual meaning in Portuguese - it refers both to the literal construction site where the protagonist works, and to the sophisticated linguistic construction of the lyrics themselves, with their carefully crafted proparoxytone words and intricate verse structure.
Start this post by listening to the full song, please (with English subtitles):
Structure and Verse Analysis
"Construção" is notable for its unique poetic and musical structure.
The song narrates the story of a construction worker through a sophisticated arrangement of verses that end in proparoxytone words (words with stress on the third-to-last syllable) like “máquina”, “última” and “tímido”.
This careful linguistic construction creates a rhythmic pattern that mirrors the mechanical and repetitive nature of construction work while demonstrating the song's linguistic artistry.
Each verse is repeated three times throughout the song, but with slight variations in the final words, creating new meanings that amplify the sense of alienation and social tragedy.
For example, the worker's death is described in three different ways:
"died in the wrong lane disrupting the traffic,"
"died in the wrong lane disrupting the Saturday,"
"died in the wrong lane disrupting the public."
This variation shows how the worker's death is viewed more as an inconvenience to the city's order than as a human tragedy.
Social and Political Criticism: Labor, Alienation, and Dehumanization
The song is a powerful denunciation of precarious working conditions and the alienation of urban workers, especially in civil construction, who literally "build" the city but remain invisible and disposable.
By meticulously describing the worker's daily life—from kissing his wife to eating rice and beans, from exhaustion to the fatal accident—Chico reveals the grueling routine and anonymity these workers are subjected to.
The character's death is treated as a mere obstacle to the city's flow, reinforcing the idea that the worker is seen as a replaceable part of a larger social machinery.
The song also criticizes the capitalist logic that values order, traffic, and productivity more than human life.
The fact that death disrupts "traffic," "Saturday," or "the public" denounces the inversion of values promoted by a society that prioritizes the functioning of the social machine over individual dignity.
Musical Innovation and Arrangement
The song's arrangement, created by Rogério Duprat, is another revolutionary element. Duprat uses modern orchestral techniques by then—with strings, winds, and percussion—to create an atmosphere of growing tension that accompanies the narrative.
The repetitive rhythm and sophisticated harmony reinforce the sensation of routine and oppression, while the orchestral crescendos prepare the listener for the song's tragic ending.
The fusion of lyrics, rhythm, meter, and arrangement makes "Construção" a masterpiece from both literary and musical perspectives, being studied in universities and serving as a reference for musicians and composers worldwide.
Why "Construção" is Essential for Music Enthusiasts
"Construção" revolutionized Brazilian music and became an international reference for several reasons:
It is a rare example of how poetry, music, and social criticism can merge organically and impactfully.
Its innovative structure, using proparoxytone words and subtle verse variations, is studied as an exemplary case of creativity and sophistication in popular music.
It serves as a historical document of artistic resistance during the military dictatorship, showing how art can be a vehicle for denouncement and social transformation even under repression.
Its message remains relevant, as labor alienation, social inequality, and the dehumanization of the poor are still central issues in contemporary societies.
For all these reasons, "Construção" is a work that transcends time and space, being indispensable for those who wish to understand not only Brazilian music but also art's capacity to dialogue with universal questions of humanity, dignity, and justice.
If you’d like to check his whole album which contains “Construção”, here’s the link:
All the best,
Billy.
Main References Consulted: