The firstborn son of Sérgio Buarque de Hollanda, Buarque lived at several locations throughout his childhood, though mostly in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Rome. He wrote and studied literature as a child and found music through the bossa nova compositions of Tom Jobim and João Gilberto. He performed as a singer and guitarist in the 1960s as well as writing a play that was deemed dangerous by the Brazilian military dictatorship of the time. Buarque, along with several Tropicalist and MPB musicians, was threatened by the Brazilian military government and eventually left Brazil for Italy in 1969. However, he came back to Brazil in 1970, and continued to record, perform, and write, though much of his material was suppressed by government censors. He released several more albums in the 1980s and published three novels in the 1990s and 2000s.
In 2019, Buarque was awarded the Camões Prize, the most important prize for literature in the Portuguese language.
Corrente
Chico Buarque Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dizendo realmente o que é que eu acho
Eu acho que o meu samba é uma corrente
E coerentemente assino embaixo
Hoje é preciso refletir um pouco
E ver que o samba está tomando jeito
Só mesmo embriagado ou muito louco
Pra contestar e pra botar defeito
Precisa ser muito sincero e claro
Pra confessar que andei sambando errado
Talvez precise até tomar na cara
Pra ver que o samba está bem melhorado
Tem mais é que ser bem cara de tacho
Não ver a multidão sambar contente
Isso me deixa triste e cabisbaixo
Por isso eu fiz um samba bem pra frente
Dizendo realmente o que é que eu acho
Eu acho que o meu samba é uma corrente
E coerentemente assino embaixo
Hoje é preciso refletir um pouco
E ver que o samba está tomando jeito
Só mesmo embriagado ou muito louco
Pra contestar e pra botar defeito
Precisa ser muito sincero e claro
Pra confessar que andei sambando errado
Talvez precise até tomar na cara
Pra ver que o samba está bem melhorado
Tem mais é que ser bem cara de tacho
Não ver a multidão sambar contente
Isso me deixa triste e cabisbaixo
Por isso eu fiz um samba bem pra frente
Dizendo realmente o que é que eu acho
The song "Corrente" by Chico Buarque is a reflection on the evolution of samba and the role of artists in creating and maintaining its tradition. The lyrics express the artist's opinion that samba is a "corrente", or a chain, representing a connection between the past and present, and that it is the responsibility of everyone involved to ensure that this connection remains unbroken. The artist acknowledges that they may have previously misunderstood the importance of samba and the need to preserve its essence, but they now recognize the significance of their role in maintaining the tradition.
The artist speaks to the need for honesty and clarity in order to recognize and address any mistakes or shortcomings in their approach to samba. This may involve taking criticism, but ultimately it is necessary for the betterment of the genre. Despite the challenges and obstacles, the artist is optimistic and believes that samba is on the right track, and it is up to each individual to contribute to its success.
Overall, "Corrente" is a call to action for all those involved in samba to reflect on the state of the genre and their own role in preserving its heritage. It emphasizes the need for honesty, sincerity, and unity in order to create a strong and lasting chain that will continue to connect past and present generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Eu hoje fiz um samba bem pra frente
Today, I have created a lively samba song.
Dizendo realmente o que é que eu acho
Expressing my true opinions through my music.
Eu acho que o meu samba é uma corrente
I believe that my samba song is a movement.
E coerentemente assino embaixo
I wholeheartedly support this movement.
Hoje é preciso refletir um pouco
It is important to reflect on our actions.
E ver que o samba está tomando jeito
To recognize that samba is making progress.
Só mesmo embriagado ou muito louco
Only someone drunk or crazy would disagree.
Pra contestar e pra botar defeito
To criticize and find fault with it.
Precisa ser muito sincero e claro
One has to be honest and clear in their opinions.
Pra confessar que andei sambando errado
To admit that I was wrong in my previous approach to samba music.
Talvez precise até tomar na cara
Perhaps I need to be humbled and learn from my mistakes.
Pra ver que o samba está bem melhorado
To recognize that samba has greatly improved.
Tem mais é que ser bem cara de tacho
It's better to be silly and not see the joy in the crowd.
Não ver a multidão sambar contente
To not see the happy crowd dancing.
Isso me deixa triste e cabisbaixo
This makes me sad and downcast.
Por isso eu fiz um samba bem pra frente
That's why I created an upbeat, positive samba song.
Dizendo realmente o que é que eu acho
Expressing my true opinions through my music.
Eu acho que o meu samba é uma corrente
I believe that my samba song is a movement.
E coerentemente assino embaixo
I wholeheartedly support this movement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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