When The Weeknd and Anitta dropped “São Paulo” on October 31, 2024, they weren’t just releasing another pop single—they delivered an eerie anthem with all the intensity of a Halloween horror flick.
From the track’s shadowy, addictive lyrics to the freakishly unforgettable music video, “São Paulo” dives headfirst into an experience that’s as uncomfortable as it is fascinating.
And, let’s be honest, who isn’t at least a little intrigued by a song that gives Brazilian funk a sinister twist?
Exploring the Lyrics: A Dark Obsession in ‘São Paulo’ by The Weeknd & Anitta
First things first: the lyrics in “São Paulo” aren’t your typical romance or heartbreak.
They’re more like a late-night confession at a bar—dark, obsessive, and just a touch unsettling.
The Weeknd and Anitta sing of an emotional intensity that’s far from the feel-good, sunshine-and-rainbows kind of love.
Instead, it’s about being hopelessly hooked on someone who feels as toxic as they are irresistible.
Take this line from The Weeknd’s verse: “Every time I try to run, you put your curse all over me.”
The word “curse” says it all—it’s love with a hint of doom, love that traps rather than frees.
And don’t even get me started on Anitta’s refrain, which feels like a siren call, something both alluring and dangerous.
Decoding the Halloween-Themed Music Video: Anitta’s Eerie Transformation
So, let’s talk about the video. Imagine Anitta strolling around, masked, with a belly that—wait for it—has lips.
Yes, lips. It’s singing. It’s unsettling. And it’s impossible to look away.
Directed by Freeka Tet, the video ramps up the song’s dark themes to a whole other level, using surreal imagery that feels straight out of a fever dream.
It’s part horror, part art house, and a whole lot of “What did I just watch?”
Now, you might be thinking, “Why the horror angle?” It’s Halloween season, of course, but this goes deeper.
The grotesque visuals capture the song’s spirit of obsession and the twisted side of desire.
You’re not just hearing about intense feelings; you’re seeing them come to life in the strangest way possible.
And honestly, it’s as if the video is daring you to look away—or maybe just trying to make you feel as haunted as the characters seem to be.
Brazilian Funk Meets The Weeknd’s Dark Sound: A Unique Fusion
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Beneath the darkness, “São Paulo” has a beat that pulses with a classic Brazilian funk rhythm.
This isn’t just a backdrop; it’s Anitta’s mark on the song, grounding it in her roots while giving the whole track a feverish energy.
And if you know anything about Brazilian funk, you know it’s bold, high-energy, and unfiltered—a perfect contrast to The Weeknd’s usual sleek, moody soundscapes.
This blend of styles—The Weeknd’s shadowy R&B mixed with Anitta’s explosive Brazilian influence—creates something unique.
The music pulses with life and culture, even as the lyrics and visuals dive into dark territory.
It’s like a story told at full volume, with nothing held back.
Behind the Collaboration: Anitta and The Weeknd’s Unexpected Hit
Believe it or not, Anitta didn’t plan on this becoming the eerie anthem everyone’s talking about.
According to her, she wrote a few verses as a joke—yes, a joke. Next thing she knew, The Weeknd took her verses seriously, and the rest is history.
It’s hard to believe that something so raw and unnerving could start out as lighthearted fun, but maybe that’s what makes it work.
There’s an unpredictability here that feels genuine, not overly polished.
Wrapping Up (But Not Really)
There’s so much to unpack in “São Paulo,” and it’s safe to say this is one of those tracks that only gets better the more you listen—and watch.
Each lyric, each visual choice, every funky beat feels meticulously designed to pull you deeper into its spell.
And if you’re a fan of The Weeknd’s darker, unfiltered side or all in for Anitta’s bold Brazilian influence, this song is going to hit you right where it counts (okay, not literally, but you get the idea).
In a world of predictable pop releases, “São Paulo” stands out by getting under your skin and making you feel something oddly addictive. And isn’t that what great music’s supposed to do?
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The Weeknd & Anitta São Paulo Lyrics
[Part I]
Intro: Anitta
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser
Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser
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
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
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
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)
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
[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
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
Chorus: The Weeknd
Baby, you turn me on
Baby, you turn me on
Baby, you turn me on
Girl, you turn me on
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
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
Chorus: The Weeknd
Baby, turn me on (I love it when you turn me on)
I love it when you turn me on (I love it when you turn me on)
See how you turn me on? (I love it when you turn me on)
I love it when you turn me on, oh (So now I gotta turn it on)
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
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