Veloso is the fifth of the seven children born to José Telles Veloso ("Seu Zezinho") and Claudionor Vianna Telles Veloso ("Dona Canô"). His younger sister Maria Bethânia, another popular and renowned artist in Brazil, preceded him to fame as a singer in the mid-1960s. He began his career around 1965 singing bossa nova and he has cited his greatest musical influences from his early period as João Gilberto and Dorival Caymmi. (João Gilberto would say later about Caetano's contribution that it added an intellectual dimension to brazilian popular music.) But with such musical collaborators Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Tom Zé, Chico Buarque, and Os Mutantes, and greatly influenced by the later work of The Beatles, developed tropicalismo, which fused Brazilian pop with rock and roll and avant garde art music resulting in a more international, psychedelic, and socially aware sound. Veloso's politically active stance, unapologetically leftist, earned him the enmity of Brazil's military dictatorship which ruled until 1985; his songs were frequently censored, and some were banned. Veloso was also alienated from the socialist left in Brazil becasue of his acceptance and integration of non-nationalist influences (like rock and roll) in his music. Veloso and Gilberto Gil spent several months in jail for "anti-government activity" in 1968 and eventually exiled themselves to London. Caetano Veloso's work upon his return in 1972 was often characterized by frequent appropriations not only of international styles, but of half-forgotten Brazilian folkloric styles and rhythms as well. In particular, his celebration of the Afro-Brazilian culture of Bahia can be seen as the precursor of such Afro-centric groups as Timbalada.
In the 1980s, Veloso's popularity outside Brazil grew, especially in Israel, Portugal, France and Africa. By 2004, he was one of the most respected and prolific international pop stars, with more than fifty recordings available, including songs in soundtracks of movies such as Pedro Almodovar's Hable con Ella (Talk to Her), and Frida. In 2002 Veloso published an account of his early years and the Tropicalia movement, Tropical Truth: A Story of Music and Revolution in Brazil.
His first all-English CD was A Foreign Sound (2004), which covers Nirvana's "Come as You Are" and compositions from the Great American Songbook. Five of the six songs on his third eponymous album, released in 1971, were also in English.
Samba em Paz
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
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Quando o povo perceber
Que é o dono da jogada
O samba vai crescer
Pelas ruas vai correr
Uma grande batucada
Toda gente vai cantar
O mundo vai mudar
E o povo vai cantar
Um grande samba em paz.
The lyrics of Caetano Veloso's song "Samba em Paz" are a celebration of the power and universality of samba music. The opening lines declare that samba will triumph when people realize that they are the ones in control of the music, that they are the ones who dictate the rhythm and flow of the songs. The second verse paints a picture of samba music growing and spreading through the streets, with a thunderous drumming that echoes throughout the city. The refrain, "Samba não vai chorar mais, toda gente vai cantar" (samba won't cry anymore, everyone will sing), suggests that, in a world where samba is embraced and celebrated by all, there will be no more room for sadness, for sorrow or pain, and the power of the music will bring people together in joy and harmony. Finally, the last lines repeat the notion that the world will change and people will sing a great samba in peace.
The song is not only a celebration of samba music but also a call to action for people to embrace their role in creating and spreading the music. By recognizing their power, the people can help take samba to new heights and new audiences, creating a world where the music is a truly universal experience. The message of the song is one of hope and optimism, promising that samba can bring joy, peace, and unity to all those who embrace it.
Line by Line Meaning
O samba vai vencer
The samba will triumph
Quando o povo perceber
When the people realize
Que é o dono da jogada
That it's the owner of the game
O samba vai crescer
The samba will grow
Pelas ruas vai correr
Running through the streets
Uma grande batucada
A great percussion section
Samba não vai chorar mais
The samba won't cry anymore
Toda gente vai cantar
Everyone will sing
O mundo vai mudar
The world will change
E o povo vai cantar
And the people will sing
Um grande samba em paz.
A great samba in peace
Contributed by Eli H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.