Born into a poor family in Maceió (capital of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil), Djavan formed the group Luz, Som, Dimensão (LSD - "Light, Sound, Dimension"), playing Beatles covers. In 1973 Djavan moved to Rio de Janeiro and started singing in local nightclubs. After competing in several festivals he gained attention and recorded the album A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan in 1976. The album included the song "Flor de Lis" which became one of his most memorable hits. Albums that followed included his other musical influence, African music, and additional hits followed like "Açaí", "Sina" and "Samurai", which featured Stevie Wonder's harmonica. His best known compositions are: "Meu Bem Querer", "Oceano", "Faltando um Pedaço", "Esquinas", "Seduzir", "Pétala", "Lilás", "A Ilha", "Fato Consumado", "Álibi", "Azul" and "Serrado".
His songs have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, The Manhattan Transfer, and, in Brazil by Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Lenine, João Bosco, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Johnny Alf, and other artists. The 1988 Epic Records single, "Stephen's Kingdom", featured a guest appearance from Stevie Wonder.
In 1999, his live concert double-volume album, Ao Vivo, has sold 1.2 million copies and the song, "Acelerou" became the Best Brazilian song of the year at 2000 Latin Grammy Awards.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djavan
Obi
Djavan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Obi, Obá
Que nem zen, czar
Shalon
Jerusalém, z'oiseau
Na relva rala
Meu arerê
Tombara
Logo além
Nem lá
Logum
Pra cá ninguém faraó
No ver da gente
O samba é pedra mór
África
Benfica
E fica melhor
Amanheceu de um sorriso
Vida como é preciso
Sonhando
Sentindo
Cantando
Infindo
Ouvindo
Falando
Falo de mim
Pra você
Alô, olá
Se não for pra já
So long
Ouricuri madurou
No ver da gente
O samba é pedra mór
África
Benfica
E fica melhor
The lyrics to Djavan's song Obi are rich in layered meaning and symbolism. The song begins with the repetition of the phrase "Obi, Obá" which is a reference to the traditional Yoruba religion practiced in West Africa. It is believed that the Obi is a form of divination used to communicate with the spirits. This sets the tone for the spiritual nature of the song. The next few lines refer to other spiritual practices such as Zen and the city of Jerusalem, which is considered holy in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Djavan sings about an "oiseau," which means bird in French, suggesting the idea of spiritual freedom and flight. The phrase "na relva rala" means on the sparse grass, which is a metaphor for the difficulties that one may face in life.
The song continues to explore various spiritual themes, such as the deity Logum, and the importance of Africa and Benfica, which is a neighborhood in Lisbon, Portugal that is closely associated with the African diaspora. The chorus is an expression of joy and hope, as Djavan sings about the importance of living life to the fullest, and the power of dreaming, feeling, and singing. The repeated phrase "no ver da gente, o samba é pedra mór" means "in the eyes of the people, samba is a cornerstone," which suggests that music and dance are integral parts of spiritual and cultural expression.
Overall, Djavan's song Obi is a celebration of the richness of African culture and spirituality, and the power of music to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Obi
Introducing the title or name of the song.
Obi, Obá
Repeating the title twice for emphasis and rhythm purposes.
Que nem zen, czar
Comparing something to the serenity and authority of a zen master.
Shalon
Greeting of peace and wholeness from Hebrew language and culture.
Jerusalém, z'oiseau
Mentioning the city of Jerusalem and adding a French word for bird to create an evocative image.
Na relva rala
On the sparse grass, suggesting a humble or simple setting.
Meu arerê
Expressing a personal chant or prayer.
Tombara
An expression of falling down, perhaps implying surrender or humility.
Ali, alá
Here and there, suggesting a wide range or diversity of experiences.
Logo além
Just beyond, indicating a sense of further possibility or potential.
Nem lá
Not even there, implying a lack of interest or desire for certain things.
Logum
A reference to a deity or spirit from Afro-Brazilian religion.
Pra cá ninguém faraó
No pharaoh will come this way, perhaps meaning that no one will interfere with the singer's freedom or destiny.
No ver da gente
From our perspective or in our point of view.
O samba é pedra mór
Samba is a cornerstone or essential element in our culture or way of life.
África
A reference to the ancestral homeland and cultural influence of Brazil.
Benfica
Possibly a reference to a neighborhood in Lisbon, Portugal known for its cultural diversity and influence on Brazilian music.
E fica melhor
And it keeps getting better, suggesting a sense of optimism or progress.
Amanheceu de um sorriso
The morning dawned with a smile, expressing a sense of positivity or joyfulness.
Vida como é preciso
Life as it must be, perhaps acknowledging the ups and downs of life but still embracing it.
Sonhando
Dreaming, suggesting a sense of vision or imagination.
Sentindo
Feeling, suggesting a sense of emotion or intuition.
Cantando
Singing, expressing a sense of creativity or self-expression.
Infindo
Infinite, suggesting something without end or limit.
Ouvindo
Listening, indicating a sense of receptivity or openness.
Falando
Speaking, perhaps conveying a sense of confidence or assertiveness.
Falo de mim
I speak of myself, expressing a sense of self-awareness or introspection.
Pra você
For you, perhaps indicating the desire to connect or share with someone else.
Alô, olá
Hello, expressing a friendly greeting or acknowledgement.
Se não for pra já
If it's not for now, perhaps indicating a sense of impatience or urgency.
So long
Goodbye, expressing a sense of departure or conclusion.
Ouricuri madurou
Ouricuri (a type of plant) has ripened, perhaps suggesting a sense of growth or maturation.
Contributed by Elena R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@seudeclamador1832
Obi, Obá
Que nem zen, czar
Shalon
Jerusalém, z'oiseau
Na relva rala, meu arerê
Tombara ali, alá
Logo além, nem lá
Logum, pra cá ninguém faraó
No ver da gente
O samba é pedra mór
África, benfica, e fica melhor
Obi, Obá
Que nem zen, czar
Shalon
Jerusalém, z'oiseau
Na relva rala, meu arerê
Tombara ali, alá
Logo além, nem lá
Logum, pra cá ninguém faraó
No ver da gente
O samba é pedra mór
África, benfica, e fica melhor
África, benfica, e fica melhor
Amanheceu de um sorriso
Vida como é preciso
Sonhando, sentindo, cantando, infindo
Ouvindo, falando
Falo de mim pra você
Alô, olá
Se não for pra já, so long
Ouricuri madurou
No ver da gente
O samba é pedra mór
África, benfica, e fica melhor
África, benfica, e fica melhor
Obi, Obá
Que nem zen, czar
Shalon
Jerusalém, z'oiseau
Na relva rala, meu arerê
Tombara ali, alá
Logo além, nem lá
Logum, pra cá ninguém faraó
No ver da gente
O samba é pedra mór
África, benfica, e fica melhor
Obi, Obá
Que nem zen, czar
Shalon
Jerusalém, z'oiseau
Na relva rala, meu arerê
Tombara ali, alá
Logo além, nem lá
Logum, pra cá ninguém faraó
No ver da gente
O samba é pedra mór
África, benfica, e fica melhor
África, benfica, e fica melhor
Amanheceu de um sorriso
Vida como é preciso
Sonhando, sentindo, cantando, infindo
Ouvindo, falando
Falo de mim pra você
Alô, olá
Se não for pra já, so long
Ouricuri madurou
No ver da gente
O samba é pedra mór
África, benfica, e fica melhor
África, benfica, e fica melhor
@veraribeirogomes738
Amo a sua
destreza no trato com as palavras, a matemática certinha de ajustar som, ritmo, inspiração! Amo isso! Me encanta isso! 😍🙏
@theartofancientegyptianmet1747
I am so pleased to have found Djavan’s music in early 90’s. He brought a sense of poetic language and melodic sensibility that matched my own spiritual harmony! I am glad I did not give up the Portuguese language. I would have missed the rich images and metaphors of his master compositions! Atum will continue to shine His primal Light (life) on your spirit. I hope you will continue to bless the world with your beautiful voice and sublime music!
@iamgreen2964
Who the hell is Atum and why can he shine light? Some sort of special fish?
@lourdesmoraes3261
💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽👣👣👣👣👣 incrível !!!! Como brinca com as palavras. 🤩🥰👣👣🎼🎵🎶 amanheceu de um sorriso...vida como é preciso🎼🎵🎶🥰🤩💃🏽👣
@itapuanasantos5955
Pra começar o dia de forma dançante. Suavizada com essa voz gostosa. Bom dia pra vc tbm!
@viniciusmiron5499
😊😊😊🌞
@astronauta1928
Acordar de madrugada e topar com essa canção. Valeu a pena a insônia 😁
@ellasants7013
Marcelo Ferreira, Verdade! 🎶🎵
@herikhenrique8683
Booom dia,já começar a manhã djavaneando o que há de bom
@derlyalves2119
Ojalá!Oxalá,Ogunhê!Amém!Namastê!Paz e bem!☝☝👏👏👏🌱💚💛🌹