One Note Samba
Astrud Gilberto & The New Stan Getz Quartet Lyrics

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This is just a little samba
Built upon a single note
Other notes are bound to follow
But the root is still that note

Now this new note is the consequence
Of the one we've just been through
As I'm bound to be

The unavoidable consequence of you

There's so many people
Who can talk and talk, and talk
And just say nothing
Or nearly nothing

I have used up all the scale
I know and at the end
I've come to nothing
I mean nothing

So I come back to my first note

As I come back to you
I will pour into that one note
All the love I feel for you

Any one who wants the whole show
Re mi fa so la ci do
He will find himself with no show
Better play the note you know

So I come back to my first note
As I come back to you
I will pour into that one note
All the love I feel for you

Any one who wants the whole show
Re mi fa so la ci do

He will find himself with no show
Better play the note you know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "One Note Samba" by Astrud Gilberto & The New Stan Getz Quartet revolve around the idea of simplicity and the power that can come from focusing on one thing. The song is built upon one note, but other notes are bound to follow, and the root note remains the same. This concept is then applied to the relationship between the singer and the person they are addressing in the song. Just as the next note is the consequence of the previous one, the singer is the unavoidable consequence of the person they are addressing. They go on to express their love and dedication to this person, stating that they will pour all their love into that one note, just as they come back to that person.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of meaningless talk, with many people talking without really saying anything. The singer then expresses their own frustration with having used up all the scale they know, only to come to nothing. The message is clear: it's better to focus on one note, one thing, and pour all your energy and love into that, rather than trying to do too much and ending up with nothing.

Line by Line Meaning

This is just a little samba
Let us enjoy a small, simple samba

Built upon a single note
Created with one foundational element

Other notes are bound to follow
Additional notes are inevitably going to harmonize

But the root is still that note
The foundation remains the same

Now this new note is the consequence
Each subsequent note is an outcome

Of the one we've just been through
Of the previous ones that have been played

As I'm bound to be
As I am fated to be

The unavoidable consequence of you
The eventual outcome of the relationship between us

There's so many people
Many individuals speak at length

Who can talk and talk, and talk
Without actually saying much

And just say nothing
Making no meaningful contribution to the conversation