The icon of a woman gazing longingly at the ocean is at the heart of fado music, which is the musical expression of saudade, the uniquely Portuguese word meaning (as we saw in chapter 2) an intimate, melancholic longing, laced with joy and sweetness. Saudade defines the city; it’s the namesake of countless cafés, pastry shops, and music bars; it’s the key to the Portuguese soul.
