Although his songs celebrate the people of Bahia and he himself is enshrined in the popular Brazilian imagination as the archetypal Bahian, he moved to Rio de Janeiro to find fame in the 1930's and never moved back to Bahia.
He became a contemporary and sometimes rival of composer Ary Barroso and enjoyed a lifelong friendship with Bahian author Jorge Amado. Dorival Caymmi first achieved success in the late 1930s with Carmen Miranda, for whom he composed 'O Que é Que a Baiana Tem?'. He recorded for five decades, both singing solo with his own guitar accompaniment, and backed by bands and orchestras. In the 1960s many of his songs were covered by bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto, and he collaborated with Antonio Carlos Jobim. Among the many musicians heavily influenced by Dorival Caymmi are Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.
Dorival Caymmi passed away at age 94 on August 16, 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, of multiple organ failure. He is survived by three children, all of whom are in the prominent musicians: Nana, Danilo and Dori Caymmi.
Sábado em Copacabana
Dorival Caymmi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Meu sábado não vou desperdiçar
Já fiz o meu programa pra esta noite
E sei por onde começar
Um bom lugar para encontrar: Copacabana
Prá passear à beira-mar: Copacabana
Depois num bar à meia-luz: copacabana
Um bom jantar depois de dançar: Copacabana
Um só lugar para se amar: Copacabana
A noite passa tão depressa, mas vou voltar lá pra semana
Eu encontrar um novo amor: Copacabana
In Dorival Caymmi's song "Sábado em Copacabana", the singer is celebrating the arrival of the weekend and has already made plans for a fun night out. He mentions that he does not want to waste his weekend after working all week. He then talks about how he knows exactly how to start his night; by going to Copacabana. Copacabana is a famous beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known for its beautiful views and bustling nightlife. The singer wants to take a walk by the beach, go to a dimly lit bar, have a good dinner, and dance. He has been waiting for this night all week.
The lyrics paint a picture of a carefree evening, filled with fun and romance. The singer hopes to find a new love interest in Copacabana. The song encapsulates the energy and vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro's nightlife, and how it serves as the perfect escape after a long, tiring week at work. Overall, the song celebrates the importance of taking time for oneself and enjoying the simple pleasures in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Depois de trabalhar toda a semana
After a week of work
Meu sábado não vou desperdiçar
I won't waste my Saturday
Já fiz o meu programa pra esta noite
I have already planned my night
E sei por onde começar
And I know where to start
Um bom lugar para encontrar: Copacabana
A good place to meet: Copacabana
Prá passear à beira-mar: Copacabana
To walk by the sea: Copacabana
Depois num bar à meia-luz: copacabana
Then in a dimly lit bar: Copacabana
Eu esperei por essa noite uma semana
I've been waiting for this night for a week
Um bom jantar depois de dançar: Copacabana
A good dinner after dancing: Copacabana
Um só lugar para se amar: Copacabana
The only place to love: Copacabana
A noite passa tão depressa, mas vou voltar lá pra semana
The night passes so quickly, but I'll come back next week
Eu encontrar um novo amor: Copacabana
I'll find a new love: Copacabana
Contributed by Levi K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.