Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BRAZILIAN SAUDADE & BOSSA NOVA
Brazilian identity is also deeply connected to
saudade
, which is not surprising given the influence Portugal has
had on the country - nearly every inhabitant in Brazil can trace Portuguese roots somewhere in the family tree. In
Brazil,
saudade
means much the same thing, and it has played a role in shaping the country's music - in particu-
lar, bossa nova. The 1958 hit 'Chega de Saudade' (often poorly translated as 'No More Blues') by legendary
song-writing team Tom Jobim and VinÃcius de Moraes is considered one of the first bossa nova songs ever recor-
ded. In it, the singer pines for his lover who has left him, and commands his sadness to go out and bring her back.
Melancholic chords and a slow, wistful singing style are hallmarks here, as they are of nearly all bossa nova
tunes. And even if you can't understand Portuguese, you'll still feel the sadness and deep sense of loss.