Meaning and Lyrics of Alibi (with Pabllo Vittar & Yseult) by Sevdaliza

When dissecting Sevdaliza’s “Alibi,” featuring Pabllo Vittar and Yseult, one must dive deep into the tapestry of cultural interplay, linguistic diversity, and raw emotional honesty that underscore the track. This song, dramatic and unapologetic, showcases Sevdaliza’s penchant for marrying avant-garde production with compelling narratives.

Intro: Pabllo Vittar

From the outset, Pabllo Vittar sets a melancholic tone with, “No meu amor sempre tem dor / Tudo pelo meu prazer.” This opening line suggests a bitter intertwining of love and pain, establishing a thematic duality that permeates the track. Vittar’s evocative Portuguese phrase, which translates to “In my love, there is always pain / Everything for my pleasure,” underscores a relentless pursuit of passion despite inherent suffering.

Verse 1: Sevdaliza

Sevdaliza’s verse, “Can you remember when the last time was / You felt safe in the dark?” beckons listeners to confront their fears and vulnerabilities. She introspectively laments that “This world was never meant for a woman’s heart,” alluding to the historical and ongoing struggles women face in a patriarchal society. Despite these obstacles, Sevdaliza asserts resilience with, “But still, you rise through it all,” showcasing feminine strength and perseverance.

Pre-Chorus: Sevdaliza

The pre-chorus employs a series of metaphoric equivalences, portraying a complex, almost symbiotic relationship: “When I’m out of breath, she’s my vitals… When I need to rev, she’s my ride-or-die… I just killed a man, she’s my alibi.” Here, Sevdaliza fuses elements of dependency, loyalty, and complicity, suggesting a relationship marked by mutual empowerment and escapism.

Chorus: Sevdaliza

Throughout the chorus, the repetition of “Rosa, qué linda eres” is both a chant and an ode, simultaneously invoking beauty and a sense of ethereal reverence. The use of “Rosa” (rose) symbolizes both fragility and strength, encapsulating the song’s dichotomy of love and pain. The repetition of “Alibi” juxtaposes innocence with guilt, highlighting the protective and exonerative role this relationship plays.

Verse 2: Yseult

Yseult’s verse continues the narrative but in French, adding another layer of linguistic richness. “Tout est nasty / Que des mélo mélo dans ma tête” translates to “Everything is nasty / Only melodrama in my head,” emphasizing the chaos and emotional turmoil within. Her further lines, “My baby, doudou, Bisous dans le cou, Sur mon corps tu donneras tout, tout,” blend affection with physical intimacy, indicating a craving for consuming love.

Pre-Chorus: Yseult & Sevdaliza

In their combined pre-chorus, “Ooh, ton corps sera mon été,” the phrase, “Your body will be my summer,” symbolizes a season of warmth and passion. Yet, the juxtaposition with, “Quand je tue un homme, c’est mon alibi” (“When I kill a man, she’s my alibi”) reinforces the theme of culpability masked by protective love, echoing Sevdaliza’s earlier lines.

Bridge: Pabllo Vittar

The bridge reiterates a connection to inevitable pain within love: “Muito prazer, em conhecer / O causador de todo o teu sofrer,” outlining the pleasure in knowing the cause of one’s suffering. Pabllo’s delivery conveys the beautiful torment of love, indicating that suffering is a price willingly paid for passion.

Chorus: Sevdaliza

The final chorus reiterates the central motifs, “Rosa, qué linda eres (Alibi).” The repetition and alternation between languages (Spanish and Portuguese) signify a universal theme of beauty enshrouded in complex emotions, binding the song’s structural and thematic elements.

Conclusion

“Alibi” is a symphonic exploration of love’s paradoxes, set against a backdrop of rich, multicultural tapestry. Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar, and Yseult exploit their distinctive voices to create a hauntingly beautiful narrative encompassing pain, passion, and resilience. The song stands as a testament to the transformative power of love, framed within an intricate interplay of vulnerability and strength. This track isn’t just a collaboration—it’s a fusion, each artist bringing a slice of their linguistic and emotional palette to paint a picture as vivid as it is profound.