Her artistic career took place in Brazil and the United States between the 1930s and 1950s. She was considered by Rolling Stone magazine as the 15th greatest voice in Brazilian music, and is an international icon and symbol of Brazil abroad. Miranda began her singing career in Brazil in 1929 where she was a major star before moving to the United States. In 1939, she performed on Broadway on which led to a Hollywood film career in 1940, with her first film Down Argentine Way. Nicknamed "The Brazilian Bombshell", Miranda is noted for her signature fruit hat outfit she wore in her American films, particularly in 1943's The Gang's All Here. By 1945, she was the highest paid woman in the United States.
Miranda made a total of fourteen Hollywood films between 1940 and 1953. Though hailed as a talented performer, her popularity waned by the end of World War II. She later grew to resent the stereotypical "Brazilian Bombshell" image she cultivated and attempted to break free of it with limited success. Undaunted, Miranda focused increasingly on her nightclub appearances, also becoming a fixture on television variety shows—indeed, for all the stereotyping she faced throughout her career, her performances made huge strides in popularizing Brazilian music, while at the same time paving the way for the increasing awareness of all Latin culture.
Carmen Miranda was the first Latin American star to be invited to imprint her hands and feet in the courtyard of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 1941. She is considered the precursor of Brazil's Tropicalismo, cultural movement of the 1960s.
On 4 August 1955, Miranda unknowingly suffered a mild heart attack while performing during the taping of an episode of The Jimmy Durante Show. She finished the show but died the following morning after suffering a second heart attack.
A museum was later constructed in Rio de Janeiro in her honor, and in 1995 she was the subject of the acclaimed documentary Carmen Miranda: Bananas is My Business.
Mama Eu Quero
Carmen Miranda Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mamãe eu quero mamar!
Dá a chupeta, dá a chupeta, ai, dá a chupeta
Dá a chupeta pro bebê não chorar!
Dorme filhinho do meu coração
Pega a mamadeira em vem entra no meu cordão
Eu tenho uma irmã que se chama Ana
Eu olho as pequenas, mas daquele jeito
E tenho muita pena não ser criança de peito
Eu tenho uma irmã que é fenomenal
Ela é da bossa e o marido é um boçal
The lyrics of the song “Mama Eu Quero” by Carmen Miranda depict a young child’s yearning for their mother’s affection and nurture. The first verse emphasizes the desire for breast milk, as the child pleads to their mother to give them the pacifier so they don’t cry. The second verse has a more lighthearted tone, as the child drifts off to sleep with the image of the mother’s breast as a comforting place to rest. The third verse hints at the envy of older children who no longer have the option of feeding from their mother’s breast, as the singer longs to be a baby again. However, the final verse takes a humorous turn, as the singer boasts about their accomplished sister and her foolish husband.
One interpretation of the song is a commentary on the infantilization of women and the expectations placed on them to nurture and care for others, even as adults. The imagery of breast milk and pacifiers can be seen as a symbol of this, as well as the emphasis on the child’s relationship with their mother. However, the playful tone and use of humor also suggests that the song is meant to be enjoyed and not taken too seriously.
Line by Line Meaning
Mamãe eu quero, mamãe eu quero
The singer is expressing their desire for something and calling out to their mother.
Mamãe eu quero mamar!
The singer wants to breastfeed or drink milk from a bottle.
Dá a chupeta, dá a chupeta, ai, dá a chupeta
The singer is asking for a pacifier to soothe them.
Dá a chupeta pro bebê não chorar!
The pacifier is intended to stop the baby from crying.
Dorme filhinho do meu coração
The artist is urging their child to sleep.
Pega a mamadeira em vem entra no meu cordão
The singer is offering a bottle of milk to their child and inviting them to come close.
Eu tenho uma irmã que se chama Ana
The singer is introducing their sister named Ana.
De piscar o olho já ficou sem a pestana
Ana's eyelashes are so thin that they fall out easily when she blinks.
Eu olho as pequenas, mas daquele jeito
The artist observes babies with envy and longing.
E tenho muita pena não ser criança de peito
The artist wishes they were still young enough to breastfeed.
Eu tenho uma irmã que é fenomenal
The singer is once again referring to their sister Ana, calling her extraordinary.
Ela é da bossa e o marido é um boçal
Ana's husband is unrefined and unsophisticated, while Ana herself is sophisticated and stylish.
Writer(s): Paiva, Calazans
Contributed by Max M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@randomcoolthings7675
English Lyrics:
Mommy, mommy i want
Mommy i want
Mommy i want to eat
Give me the pacifier
Give me the pacifier
Give the pacifier so the baby won't cry
Mommy, mommy i want
Mommy i want
Mommy i want to eat
Give me the pacifier
Give me the pacifier
Give the pacifier so the baby won't cry
Sleep my child
From my heart
Pick up the baby bottle
And come into my cord
I have a sister
She is phenomenal
She lives in the bossa
And her husband is a nozzle
Mommy, mommy i want
Mommy i want
Mommy i want to eat
Give me the pacifier
Give me the pacifier
Give the pacifier so the baby won't cry
Mommy i want
Mommy
Mommy i want
Mommy
Mommy i want to eat
Give me the pacifier
Give me the pacifier
Give the pacifier so the baby won't cry
I look at the young ones
But that way
I'm really sorry
For not being
A child fed on breast
And i have a sister
And she is called Ana
And just blinking the eye
The eyelash was gone
Mommy, mommy i want
Mommy i want
Mommy i want to eat
Give me the pacifier
Give me the pacifier
Give the pacifier so the baby won't cry
Mommy i want
Mommy
Mommy i want
Mommy
Mommy i want to eat
Give me the pacifier
Give me the pacifier
Give the pacifier so the baby won't cry
Mommy, mommy i want
Mommy i want
Mommy i want to eat
Give me the pacifier
Give me the pacifier
Give the pacifier so the baby won't cry
Give me the pacifier
Give me the pacifier
Give the pacifier so the baby won't cry
@deenababie
Thank you Tom and Jerry for making me seek out this song!! “Dash of pepper” all day long!! 🤗
@alycassum1805
I came here because of tom and jerry tooo aaa
@Lbree1077
😂😂😂😂😂 Dash of pepper!!!!!!! Dá chupeta
@davestrongman9519
Ha for almost 50 years I been singing dash of pepper from Tom and Jerry too!!! Lol 😂
@russpoore8997
ty Marx Brothers
@salah-bi9vt
They were so hilarious performing it that little cat with lipstick killed me 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@ILuv4ss
tom and jerry brought me here
@themanwiththelegendhimself8658
Ha same
@maicknae
ILuv4ss me to lol
@ViNN721
ILuv4ss lol me to