One Note Samba
Frank Sinatra feat. Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics

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This is just a little samba, built upon a single note
Other notes are sure to follow but the root is still that note
Now this new note is the consequence of the one we've just been through
As I'm bound to be the unavoidable consequence of you

There's so many people who can talk and talk and talk
And just say nothing or nearly nothing
I have used up all the scale I know and at the end I've come

To nothing I mean nothing

So I come back to my first note as I must come back to you
I will pour into that one note all the love I feel for you
Any one who wants the whole show re-mi-fa-so-la-ci-do
He will find himself with no show better play the note you know

There's so many people who can talk and talk and talk
And just say nothing or nearly nothing
I have used up all the scale I know and at the end I've come
To nothing I mean nothing

So I come back to my first note as I must come back to you
I will pour into that one note all the love I feel for you

Any one who wants the whole show re-mi-fa-so-la-ci-do
He will find himself with no show better play the note you know

Overall Meaning

The song "One Note Samba" begins with the statement that it is a "little samba, built upon a single note." This note is referred to as the "root," which means that it is the foundation upon which the rest of the song is built. The lyrics suggest that other notes will follow this root note, but it will always remain at the core of the melody. The next line reveals that the addition of these new notes is a consequence of the one that came before it, just as the singer sees himself as an inevitable consequence of the person he is addressing.

The following verses reflect on the limitations of language, pointing out that there are many people who can talk for hours without saying anything of substance. The singer then remarks that he has exhausted all the musical scales he knows but has ended up with nothing. However, he feels that if he returns to the root note of the song and pours into it all the love he feels, he will have created something meaningful. He encourages others to do the same and not get caught up in trying to show off their musical prowess.

Overall, the lyrics of "One Note Samba" celebrate the simplicity and beauty of a single note, while also acknowledging the power of passion and emotion to give meaning and depth to that simplicity. The song encourages listeners to find meaning in the everyday and to focus on what truly matters, rather than getting caught up in superficial distractions.

Line by Line Meaning

This is just a little samba, built upon a single note
This song is simple, using one note as the foundation for a samba rhythm

Other notes are sure to follow but the root is still that note
Although other notes will be included, the original note remains essential to the song

Now this new note is the consequence of the one we've just been through
Each new note is influenced by the previous one

As I'm bound to be the unavoidable consequence of you
Just as each note follows the previous one, the singer and their loved one are inextricably linked

There's so many people who can talk and talk and talk
Many people talk aimlessly without saying anything of substance

And just say nothing or nearly nothing
Their words lack meaning or impact

I have used up all the scale I know and at the end I've come
The singer has exhausted their musical range and ideas

To nothing I mean nothing
Their previous attempts have led to unsatisfying results

So I come back to my first note as I must come back to you
Returning to the original note is necessary, just as returning to their loved one is essential

I will pour into that one note all the love I feel for you
The singer will channel all their love for their partner into the song

Any one who wants the whole show re-mi-fa-so-la-ci-do
Those who want a complex performance with many notes and sounds may be disappointed

He will find himself with no show better play the note you know
Instead, it's best to focus on the simple but meaningful note central to the song

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Antonio Carlos Brasileiro De A Jobim, Newton Mendonca

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@user-yo7ir4uk2o

13w↑2

This is just a little samba
Built upon a single note
Other notes are bound to follow
But the root is still that note
Now this new one is the consequence
Of the one we've just been through
As I'm bound to be the unavoidable
Consequence of you

There's so many people who can
Talk and talk and talk
And just say nothing
Or nearly nothing
I have used up all the scale I know
And at the end I've come to nothing
Or nearly nothing

So I came back to my first note
As I must come back to you
I will pour into that one note
All the love I feel for you
Anyone who wants the whole show
Re mi fa sol la si do
He will find himself with no show
Better play the note you know

@mashka9192

Intro]
This is just a little samba, built upon a single note
Other notes are bound to follow, but the root is still that note
Now this new one is the consequence of the one we've just been through
As I'm bound to be the unavoidable consequence of you

[Verse 1]
There's so many people who can talk and talk and talk
And just say nothing, or nearly nothing
I have used up all the scale I know and at the end
I've come to nothing, or nearly nothing

So I come back to my first note, as I must come back to you
I will pour into that one note, all the love I feel for you
Anyone who wants the whole show, re-mi-fa-sol-la-si-do
He will find himself with no show, better play the note you know

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 1]
There's so many people who can talk and talk and talk
And just say nothing, or nearly nothing
I have used up all the scale I know and at the end
I've come to nothing, or nearly nothing

[Verse 2]
So I come back to my first note, as I must come back to you
I will pour into that one note, all the love I feel for you
Anyone who wants the whole show, re-mi-fa-sol-la-si-do
He will find himself with no show, better play the note you know

All comments from YouTube:

@teachyourkid

2y↑8

My beautiful mother and father sliding across those polished floors...love at the epitome of breath and heartbeat. She lost him in 69--VietNam--he was 38 and she was 35--we five children know the memory of our parents by their love encapsulated in rhythm through dance. Mom is 88, she has never loved another. I pray she goes to him in her sleep; he has been waiting for her for over 5 decades for that "heavenly dance".