Mas Que Nada
Brasil '66 Lyrics
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Obá Obá Obá
Mas que nada
Sai da minha frente
Eu quero passar
Pois o samba está animado
O que eu quero é sambar
Este 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
Oriá raiô
Obá Obá Obá
The lyrics to Brasil '66's song Mas Que Nada describe the joy and celebration found in samba music. The phrase "Mas que nada" translates to "But just nothing," which is a playful way of saying "No way" or "Uh-uh." The singer asserts their right to enjoy the music, telling others to move out of their way so they can pass through and dance. The song compares this particular samba style to maracatu, a traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythm that incorporates percussion instruments like the alfaia and the caixa. The lyrics also reference "preto velho," or "old black man," which can refer to a spiritual entity in the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda or to the wise elders of Brazilian communities. By connecting this samba style to these traditions and historical figures, the song highlights the cultural significance and history of samba as a genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Oriá raiô
It's time for celebration and joy
Obá Obá Obá
Let's dance and have fun
Mas que nada
No way
Sai da minha frente
Get out of my way
Eu quero passar
I want to keep going
Pois o samba está animado
Because the samba is lively
O que eu quero é sambar
What I want is to dance samba
Este samba
This samba
Que é misto de maracatu
Which mixes maracatu rhythms
É samba de preto velho
It's a samba of old black people
Samba de preto tu
A samba of black people like you
Mas que nada
No way
Um samba como esse tão legal
A samba that's so cool like this one
Você não vai querer
You wouldn't want to
Que eu chegue no final
For me to arrive at the end
Oriá raiô
It's time for celebration and joy
Obá Obá Obá
Let's dance and have fun
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JORGE LIMA MENEZES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielmcdevitt8708
First date I ever took a young lady I met was to see Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 in 1970. Well, it worked and we got married in 1972 and are still married. Thanks, Sergio...
@TheBlizzardcat
Daniel McDevitt congratulations to you and yours. Great music.
@russellhueners8499
Fantastic story, you are one lucky fella!
@rulliputra6072
goosebump , ur so lucky
@broadcasttttable
lol...about the same year on a first date with a then- recent acquaintance I took her to see Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls at the Hollywood Bowl. Soon after another guy took her to see Sergio Mendes...he ended up with her. Thanks a lot, Sergio!
@Danceofthesugarplumfairy
Goals!!!!! ❤️
@imbees2
this was one of my favorite songs, as a teenager. Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 was the bomb. Today in 2023, I still love Sergio Mendes
@GB-ho2wk
110% ! And out of all the songs I have loved this is the one song that pops into my head THE MOST OFTEN from out of nowhere when I am just walking along. Mas que nada indeed !
@alexforest1
I feel the same.
@pablodanielescobarwolf5438
Fine and beautiful 60s tune !