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.
brasil
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mulato inzoneiro
Vou cantar-te nos meus versos
Brasil, samba que dá
Bamboleio, que faz gingar
O Brasil do meu amor
Terra de nosso Senhor
Tira a mãe preta do cerrado
Bota o Rei Congo no congado
Canta de novo o trovador
A merencória à luz da Lua
Toda canção do seu amor
Quero ver essa dona caminhando
Pelos salões arrastando
O seu vestido rendado
Esse coqueiro que dá coco
Oi onde amarro a minha rede
Nas noites claras de luar
Por essas fontes murmurantes
Onde eu mato a minha sede
Onde a Lua vem brincar
Oh esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
É o meu Brasil brasileiro
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Brasil Terra boa e gostosa
Da morena sestrosa
De olhar indiferente
Brasil, samba que dá
Para o mundo se admirar
O Brasil, do meu amor
Terra de nosso Senhor
Abre a cortina do passado
Tira a mãe preta do cerrado
Bota o Rei Congo no congado
Canta de novo o trovador
A merencória à luz da Lua
Toda canção do seu amor
Essa dona caminhando
Pelos salões arrastando
O seu vestido rendado
Esse coqueiro que dá coco
Onde amarro a minha rede
Nas noites claras de luar
Essas fontes murmurantes
Onde eu mato a minha sede
Onde a Lua vem brincar
Esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
É o meu Brasil brasileiro
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Brasil meu Brasil brasileiro
Mulato inzoneiro
Vou cantar-te nos meus versos
Brasil, samba que dá
Bamboleio, que faz gingar
O Brasil do meu amor
Terra de nosso Senhor
Abre a cortina do passado
Tira a mãe preta do cerrado
Bota o Rei Congo no congado
Canta de novo o trovador
A merencória à luz da Lua
Toda canção do seu amor
Quero ver essa dona caminhando
Pelos salões arrastando
O seu vestido rendado
Esse coqueiro que dá coco
Onde eu amarro minha rede
Nas noites claras de luar
Por essas fontes murmurantes
Onde eu mato a minha sede
Onde a Lua vem brincar
Esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
É o meu Brasil brasileiro
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Oi essas fontes murmurantes
Onde eu mato a minha sede
Onde a Lua vem brincar
Esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
É o meu Brasil brasileiro
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Brasil
The lyrics of the song "Brasil" by Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Maria Bethânia celebrate the beauty and diversity of Brazil. It begins with the line "Brasil meu Brasil brasileiro," which translates to "Brazil, my Brazilian Brazil." This repetition emphasizes the pride and affection for the country. The term "mulato inzoneiro" refers to the lively and joyful spirit of the mixed-race people in Brazil.
The song expresses a deep connection to Brazilian culture, particularly through the mention of samba and bamboleio (sway). It highlights the rhythm and dance that are integral to the country's identity. The mention of "Bota o Rei Congo no congado" references the Congado, a traditional Afro-Brazilian religious practice.
The lyrics also evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, urging to "open the curtain of the past." The reference to the "mother black from the cerrado" symbolizes the African roots and indigenous heritage of Brazil. The line "a merencória à luz da Lua" suggests a melancholic and romantic longing, reminiscent of old troubadours and their love songs.
The song further paints a vivid picture of Brazil's natural beauty, with mentions of coconut trees, clear moonlit nights, and murmuring fountains. It celebrates the land and its people.
Overall, "Brasil" is a joyful and prideful anthem that celebrates the rich culture, diversity, and natural beauty of Brazil.
Line by Line Meaning
Brasil meu Brasil brasileiro
Brazil, my Brazilian Brazil
Mulato inzoneiro
Mischievous mulatto
Vou cantar-te nos meus versos
I will sing about you in my verses
Brasil, samba que dá
Brazil, the samba that gives
Bamboleio, que faz gingar
Swaying, making it dance
O Brasil do meu amor
The Brazil of my love
Terra de nosso Senhor
Land of our Lord
Abre a cortina do passado
Open the curtain of the past
Tira a mãe preta do cerrado
Take the black mother from the cerrado
Bota o Rei Congo no congado
Put the King Congo in the congado
Canta de novo o trovador
Sing again the troubadour
A merencória à luz da Lua
The melancholy under the moonlight
Toda canção do seu amor
Every song of your love
Quero ver essa dona caminhando
I want to see that lady walking
Pelos salões arrastando
Dragged through the halls
O seu vestido rendado
Her lacy dress
Esse coqueiro que dá coco
This coconut tree that gives coconuts
Onde amarro a minha rede
Where I tie my hammock
Nas noites claras de luar
On clear moonlit nights
Por essas fontes murmurantes
By these murmuring fountains
Onde eu mato a minha sede
Where I quench my thirst
Onde a Lua vem brincar
Where the moon comes to play
Oh esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
Oh, this beautiful and dusky Brazil
É o meu Brasil brasileiro
It is my Brazilian Brazil
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Land of samba and pandeiro
Brasil Terra boa e gostosa
Brazil, good and delicious land
Da morena sestrosa
Of the sassy brunette
De olhar indiferente
With an indifferent look
Para o mundo se admirar
For the world to admire
O Brasil, do meu amor
The Brazil of my love
Terra de nosso Senhor
Land of our Lord
Oi essas fontes murmurantes
Hi these murmuring fountains
Onde eu mato a minha sede
Where I quench my thirst
Onde a Lua vem brincar
Where the moon comes to play
Esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
This beautiful and dusky Brazil
É o meu Brasil brasileiro
It is my Brazilian Brazil
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Land of samba and pandeiro
Brasil meu Brasil brasileiro
Brazil, my Brazilian Brazil
Mulato inzoneiro
Mischievous mulatto
Vou cantar-te nos meus versos
I will sing about you in my verses
Brasil, samba que dá
Brazil, the samba that gives
Bamboleio, que faz gingar
Swaying, making it dance
O Brasil do meu amor
The Brazil of my love
Terra de nosso Senhor
Land of our Lord
Abre a cortina do passado
Open the curtain of the past
Tira a mãe preta do cerrado
Take the black mother from the cerrado
Bota o Rei Congo no congado
Put the King Congo in the congado
Canta de novo o trovador
Sing again the troubadour
A merencória à luz da Lua
The melancholy under the moonlight
Toda canção do seu amor
Every song of your love
Quero ver essa dona caminhando
I want to see that lady walking
Pelos salões arrastando
Dragged through the halls
O seu vestido rendado
Her lacy dress
Esse coqueiro que dá coco
This coconut tree that gives coconuts
Onde eu amarro minha rede
Where I tie my hammock
Nas noites claras de luar
On clear moonlit nights
Por essas fontes murmurantes
By these murmuring fountains
Onde eu mato a minha sede
Where I quench my thirst
Onde a Lua vem brincar
Where the moon comes to play
Esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
This beautiful and dusky Brazil
É o meu Brasil brasileiro
It is my Brazilian Brazil
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Land of samba and pandeiro
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Ary Barroso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ecapessoa8191
Aplausos para Caetano Jóia da Música Popular Brasileira!
@marcosfarias6006
O que mais ressalta é a interpretação triste de um samba exaltação em plena ditadura militar. Soberbo Caetano!!! Fez paródia sem fazer paródia. Divino, maravilhoso!!!
@evandaloamaral6434
Adiantou nada fez o L e se vendeu como um bom traidor
@000ricardoaguiar8
Ruim este ai
@anabelaresende1
O músico mais bonito do Brasil ❤
@fabiobustos2877
Gracias a la Vida por habernos regalado a Caetano.
@user-bk5nu7og6e
Isso faz bem pra alma💐
@cebolinha198
Que belezura! ❤️
@marcelonascimento2657
Divino, maravilhoso ❤
@thegreatagnesbaltsa3948
Obrigada!!!