Modinha
Elis Regina & Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics

The lyrics of Tom Jobim's Modinha are a deeply emotional expression of heartache and disappointment. The singer begins by declaring that their heart can no longer bear the pain of being torn apart, enslaved to an illusion that always leads to disillusionment. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation and exhaustion, as if the singer has been struggling with this feeling for a long time and has finally reached the breaking point. The imagery of a desperate moon shedding melancholy over the singer further emphasizes the sense of hopelessness that pervades the song. Despite this, the singer ultimately finds a way to express their emotions through music, urging a "sad song" to leave their chest and sow the seeds of emotion that will ultimately help them heal.

In addition to the song's powerful emotions, Modinha is notable for its melding of Brazilian and Western musical styles. The song's melody draws on the modinha style, a type of Brazilian romantic music that emerged in the late 18th century. At the same time, Jobim's use of jazz harmonies and instrumentation gives the song a unique, contemporary feel. The fusion of these two styles would go on to become a hallmark of the bossa nova movement, which Jobim helped to popularize in the 1960s.