The hybrid rhythms that Jorge employed brought him some problems at the start of his career, when Brazilian music was split between the rockier sounds of the Jovem Guarda and traditional samba with its complex lyrics. But as that phase in Brazilian pop music history passed, and the entire world became captivated by bossa nova, Jorge rose to prominence.
In the 1970s, Jorge Ben released his most esoteric and experimental albums, most notably "A Tábua de Esmeralda" in 1974, "Solta o Pavão" in 1975 and "África Brasil" in 1976; the latter album's track "Xica da Silva" receiving a single release in many territories in Europe but retitled as "Chica da Silva" for ease of pronunciation. These three albums were not greeted with much popular success at the time but are regarded as classics today.
Más que nada
Ben Jorge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh ooô ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Mas que nada sai da minha frente eu quero passar
Pois samba está animado que eu quero é sambar
Esse samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Você não vai querer que eu chegue no final
Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá
Oh ooô ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Esse samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Um samba como esse tão legal
Você não vai querer que eu chegue no final
Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá
Oh ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
The song "Mas Que Nada" by Ben Jorge is a classic samba tune that expresses the joy and energy of Brazilian music. The lyrics talk about the excitement of a party or a carnival, and the desire to dance and have fun. The opening lines, "Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá, Oh ooô ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá," are a joyful and rhythmic chant that sets the mood for the song.
The main refrain, "Mas que nada sai da minha frente eu quero passar, Pois samba está animado que eu quero é sambar," means "Get out of my way, I want to pass, because the samba is lively and I want to dance." The song describes the samba rhythm as a mix of maracatu, a traditional Afro-Brazilian percussion style, and samba de preto velho, a specific type of samba that was created by elderly black musicians. The lyrics celebrate the joy and energy of this unique musical blend.
The upbeat tempo and catchy melody of "Mas Que Nada" have made it a classic of Brazilian music. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, who had a hit with it in the United States in 1966. The song has also been used in many movies and TV shows, including Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and The Walking Dead. "Mas Que Nada" is a tribute to the joy and energy of Brazilian music, and its appeal has never faded over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá
A catchy, rhythmic expression used to signify excitement and anticipation for the upcoming samba music.
Mas que nada sai da minha frente eu quero passar
Move out of my way, as I want to enjoy and dance to the lively beats of the samba music.
Pois samba está animado que eu quero é sambar
The energetic and lively beats of the samba music are making me want to dance.
Esse samba que é misto de maracatu
This particular samba has elements of maracatu, a rhythm from Northeastern Brazil.
É samba de preto velho samba de preto tu
It is a samba music inspired by the African-Brazilian tradition, the music of the black elders.
Um samba como esse tão legal
A samba music like this one is so cool and enjoyable.
Você não vai querer que eu chegue no final
You won't want to stop me from dancing until the end of this upbeat and joyful samba music.
Oh ooô ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
A repetition of the joyful expression to keep the excitement going.
Oh ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Another repetition of the catchy expression to keep the energy and enthusiasm flowing.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jorge Lima Menezes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind