Desafinado
Antonio Carlos Jobim; Frank Sinatra Lyrics


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When I try to sing, you say I'm off key
Why can't you see how much this hurts me
With your perfect beauty and your perfect pitch
You're a perfect terror
When I come around must you always put me down

If you say my singing is off key, my love
You will hurt my feelings don't you see, my love
I wish I had an ear like yours
A voice that would behave
All I have is feeling and a voice gone deaf

You insist my music goes against the rules
Yes, but rules were never meant for lovesick fools
I wrote this little song for you, but you don't care
It's a crooked song, oh but all my heart is there

The things that you would see if you would do your part
Is even if I'm out of tune I have a gentle heart
I took your picture with my trusty Rollaflex
And now all I have developed is a complex

Possibly in vain I hope you weaken, oh my love
And forget these rigid rules that undermine my dream of
A life of love and music with someone who'll understand
That even though I may be out of tune
When I attempt to say how much I love you




All that matters is the message that I bring
Which is my key one: I love you

Overall Meaning

The song "Desafinado" by Frank Sinatra tells the story of a man who loves to express his love through song, but is constantly criticized for not having the perfect musical ability. He is frustrated by the fact that his significant other, who has perfect pitch, can't see past his musical imperfections to appreciate the emotion behind his singing. He wishes he had her musical abilities, but all he has is his deep emotions and sentimental heart. He laments that rules were never meant for lovesick fools, but still hopes that his love for her will eventually make her understand his imperfect musical expression. The message of the song is that love should not be judged based on one's musical ability, and that the most important thing is the message that is being conveyed through the song.


Line by Line Meaning

When I try to sing, you say I'm off key
You criticize my singing, not seeing the harm it brings me.


Why can't you see how much this hurts me
You fail to comprehend the pain you cause me.


With your perfect beauty and your perfect pitch
You possess unparalleled physical beauty and musical talent.


You're a perfect terror
You are a source of fear and anxiety for me.


When I come around must you always put me down
Whenever we're together, why do you feel the need to criticize me?


If you say my singing is off key, my love
Dearest, if you say my voice is out of tune,


You will hurt my feelings don't you see, my love
Realize the emotional harm that your words inflict.


I wish I had an ear like yours
I long for perfect pitch, like you possess.


A voice that would behave
A vocal performance devoid of errors.


All I have is feeling and a voice gone deaf
My musical ability relies on emotion, not accuracy, and I feel as though I'm losing my touch.


You insist my music goes against the rules
You argue that my compositions do not adhere to the established standards.


Yes, but rules were never meant for lovesick fools
However, music is not governed by rigid laws and should reflect love and passion.


I wrote this little song for you, but you don't care
I intended this song as an expression of my affection for you, but it seems as though you don't care.


It's a crooked song, oh but all my heart is there
My composition may not be perfect, but it's a product of my heart and soul.


The things that you would see if you would do your part
You would experience a new perspective if you were more supportive and invested.


Is even if I'm out of tune I have a gentle heart
Despite my possible lack of musical ability, I am still kind and compassionate.


I took your picture with my trusty Rollaflex
I captured your image with my reliable and trustworthy camera.


And now all I have developed is a complex
Despite my best intentions, I have become overly self-conscious and insecure.


Possibly in vain I hope you weaken, oh my love
It may be pointless, but I still have faith that you'll relent, my love.


And forget these rigid rules that undermine my dream of
I hope that you'll abandon your strict adherence to rules and encourage my musical aspirations.


A life of love and music with someone who'll understand
A future of love and music awaits us if you'll only understand and support me.


That even though I may be out of tune
Despite the possibility that I'm not a great singer,


When I attempt to say how much I love you
When I endeavor to express the depth of my affection for you,


All that matters is the message that I bring
The most important thing is the pure sentiment behind the words.


Which is my key one: I love you
The crux of the matter is simply this: I love you.




Lyrics © Editora e Importadora Musical Fermata do Brasil Ltda., CORCOVADO MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: Gene Lees, N. Mendonca, Antonio Carlos Jobim

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@larsz271

When I try to sing you say I'm off key
Why can't you see how much this hurts me
With your perfect beauty and your perfect pitch
You're a perfect terror
When I come around, must you always put me down

If you say my singing is off key my love
You will hurt my feelings don't you see my love
I wish I had an ear like yours
A voice that would behave
But all I have is feelings and a voice gone deaf

You insist my music goes against the rules
But rules were never made for lovesick fools
I wrote this little song for you but you don't care
It's a crooked song oh but all my love is there

The thing that you would see if you would play your part
Is even if I'm out of tune I have a gentle heart
I took your picture with my trusty Rollaflex
And now all I have developed is a complex

Possibly in vain I hope you weaken oh my love
And forget these rigid rules that undermine my dream of
A life of love and music with someone who'll understand
That even though I may be out of tune
When I attempt to say how much I love you
All that matters is the message that I bring
Which is my dear one I love you



All comments from YouTube:

@jcdevarg864

Antonio Carlos Jobim era un genio, después de componer esta canción creo que puedes morir tranquilo....

@andrepoiato3858

Bravo 👏🏻

@larsz271

When I try to sing you say I'm off key
Why can't you see how much this hurts me
With your perfect beauty and your perfect pitch
You're a perfect terror
When I come around, must you always put me down

If you say my singing is off key my love
You will hurt my feelings don't you see my love
I wish I had an ear like yours
A voice that would behave
But all I have is feelings and a voice gone deaf

You insist my music goes against the rules
But rules were never made for lovesick fools
I wrote this little song for you but you don't care
It's a crooked song oh but all my love is there

The thing that you would see if you would play your part
Is even if I'm out of tune I have a gentle heart
I took your picture with my trusty Rollaflex
And now all I have developed is a complex

Possibly in vain I hope you weaken oh my love
And forget these rigid rules that undermine my dream of
A life of love and music with someone who'll understand
That even though I may be out of tune
When I attempt to say how much I love you
All that matters is the message that I bring
Which is my dear one I love you

@jazzfull

теперь я знаю, о чем эта песня)) спасибо! :)

@nazarenalusana0691

Opera d'arte musicale e duo da osannare❤

@dennisjohnson9670

2 fuoriclasse assoluti

@patrickpga2880

Coisa linda , amo tudo isso

@robbie69612

Nice!!!

@lourencooliva7429

Sinatra doesn’t reach the portuguese, but he sure does get near close. Fantastic colaboration with Tom Jobim.

@amandahenriques8108

💖💖👏👏

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