His characteristic style fuses rock and roll, samba, bossa nova, jazz, maracatu, funk, ska and even hip hop, with lyrics that mix humor and satire, as well as themes esoteric. Jorge's work has a unique importance for Brazilian music, as it incorporates new elements in swing and guitar playing, with characteristics of North American rock, soul and funk. Furthermore, he brought Arab and African influences, coming from his mother, born in Ethiopia.
He influenced sambalanço and samba-rock and was covered and honored by countless exponents of the new generations of Brazilian music, such as Mundo Livre S/A, Os Paralamas do Sucesso, Skank, Fernanda Abreu, Racionais MC's and Belô Velloso. Jorge Ben Jor exploded with the song "Mas, Que Nada!" and, soon after, ratified his talent with another great hit, "Chove Chuva". Two songs that were neither bossa nova nor samba. Purists thought his music was too modern. It was difficult for musicians at the time to follow him, so much so that his first albums were recorded with a group that played samba jazz at Beco das Garrafas, Meirelles e os Copa 5, led by saxophonist J. T. Meirelles.
Take It Easy My Brother Charles
Jorge Ben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take it easy meu irmão de cor
A rosa é uma flor
A rosa é uma cor
A rosa é um nome de mulher
É a flor escolhida no dia
Do primeiro encontro do nosso dia
Com a vida querida
Com a vida mais garrida
Take it easy Charlie
Take it easy my brother Charlie
Take it easy meu irmão de cor
Depois que o primeiro homem
Maravilhosamente pisou na lua
Eu me senti com direitos, com princípios
E dignidade
De me libertar
Por isso, sem preconceitos eu canto
Eu canto a fantasia
Eu canto o amor, eu canto a alegria
Eu canto a fé, eu canto a paz
Eu canto a sugestão
Eu canto na madrugada
Take it easy my brother Charlie
Pois eu canto até a minha amada
Esperada, desejada, adorada, WOW!!
Take it easy my brother Charlie
Take it easy meu irmão de cor
Depois que o primeiro homem
Maravilhosamente pisou na lua
Eu me senti com direitos, com princípios
E dignidade
De me libertar
Por isso, sem preconceitos eu canto
Eu canto a fantasia
Eu canto o amor, eu canto a alegria
Eu canto a fé, eu canto a paz
Eu canto a sugestão
Eu canto na madrugada
Take it easy my brother Charlie
Pois eu canto até a minha amada
Esperada, desejada, adorada, WOW!!
Take it easy my brother Charlie
Take it easy meu irmão de cor
The song "Take It Easy My Brother Charles" by Jorge Ben is a celebration of freedom, love, and joy. The lyrics encourage the titular character, Charlie, to take life easy and enjoy its pleasures. The first stanza references the beauty of the rose, which can represent both a flower and a woman's name, highlighting the beauty and diversity of life. Ben then goes on to sing about the awe-inspiring moment when man first stepped foot on the moon, which inspired him to feel a sense of liberation and empowerment.
The second stanza then emphasizes Ben's commitment to living without prejudice, promoting the fantasy of love, joy, and peace. The lyrics call for a joyful expression of life, as he sings about adoring his loved one and celebrating the sugestão - perhaps encouraging living authentically rather than repressing oneself. The repeated chorus throughout the song of "Take it easy my brother Charles" is a reassurance to not stress and rather to embrace life with an open heart and mind.
Overall, the song is a call to enjoy the beauty of life and love without preconceptions, feeding into Ben's vision of a famous, loving, and exuberant Brazil. The lyrics make for a great reminder to take a step back, breathe, and find joy in life's everyday pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Take it easy my brother Charlie
Relax and take it easy, my friend Charlie.
Take it easy meu irmão de cor
Take it easy my brother of color.
A rosa é uma flor
A rose is a flower.
A rosa é uma cor
A rose is a color.
A rosa é um nome de mulher
A rose is also a name for a woman.
É a flor escolhida no dia
It is the flower chosen for the day.
Do primeiro encontro do nosso dia
For our first encounter of the day.
Com a vida querida
With our dear life.
Com a vida mais garrida
With a life filled with more courage and spirit.
Depois que o primeiro homem
After the first man
Maravilhosamente pisou na lua
Wonderfully stepped on the moon.
Eu me senti com direitos, com princípios
I felt empowered, with rights and principles.
E dignidade
And dignity.
De me libertar
To liberate myself.
Por isso, sem preconceitos eu canto
That's why I sing without prejudice.
Eu canto a fantasia
I sing about fantasy.
Eu canto o amor, eu canto a alegria
I sing about love, I sing about joy.
Eu canto a fé, eu canto a paz
I sing about faith, I sing about peace.
Eu canto a sugestão
I sing about suggestion.
Eu canto na madrugada
I sing in the early morning.
Pois eu canto até a minha amada
Because I sing even to my beloved.
Esperada, desejada, adorada, WOW!!
Longed for, desired, adored, WOW!!
Contributed by Sydney O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.