Desafinado
Gal Costa/Tom Jobim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saiba que isto em mim provoca imensa dor
Só privilegiados têm ouvido igual ao seu
Eu possuo apenas o que Deus me deu
Se você insiste em classificar
Meu comportamento anti-musical
Eu mesmo mentindo devo argumentar
O que você não sabe nem sequer pressente
É que os desafinados também têm um coração
Fotografei você na minha Rolleyflex
Revelou-se a sua enorme ingratidão
Só não poderá falar assim do meu amor
Este é o maior que você pode encontrar, viu?
Você com a sua música esqueceu o principal
Que no peito dos desafinados
No fundo do peito bate calado
No peito dos desafinados
Também bate um coração
The lyrics of the song Desafinado by Gal Costa and Tom Jobim, a classic Brazilian bossa nova, reflect the feelings of a person who is being criticized for singing out of tune. The song starts with the lines "If you say that I sing off-key, my love, know that this causes immense pain in me." The lyricist expresses the extent of the hurt and embarrassment of being accused of having a poor singing voice, as if it is a deficiency in character. The next lines suggest that the singer is envious of the "privileged" individuals who have a perfect ear for music.
However, the singer argues that there is nothing wrong with their style, as it is just bossa nova, which is natural to them. The second verse points out that even though the singer is considered out of tune, they still have a heart that beats the same as everyone else. The final lines suggest that the person who is criticizing the singer has forgotten the most important thing that those who sing out of tune can also have a heart that beats inside them.
Desafinado is a commentary on the importance placed on being able to sing perfectly in society. The song's title translates as "out of tune," yet the song makes it clear that even those who are not able to hit every note can feel deeply and meaningfully. The song subverts the idea that one's worth is only determined by their ability to sing in tune; instead, the song argues that everyone deserves to be recognized for what they have to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Se você disser que eu desafino, amor
If you say that I sing out of tune, my love, know that it causes immense pain in me
Saiba que isto em mim provoca imensa dor
Know that this causes immense pain in me
Só privilegiados têm ouvido igual ao seu
Only privileged ones have ears like yours
Eu possuo apenas o que Deus me deu
I only have what God gave me
Se você insiste em classificar
If you insist on classifying
Meu comportamento anti-musical
My anti-musical behavior
Eu mesmo mentindo devo argumentar
I, even if lying, must argue
Que isto é bossa nova, que isto é muito natural
That this is bossa nova, that this is very natural
O que você não sabe nem sequer pressente
What you don't know, you don't even suspect
É que os desafinados também têm um coração
Is that the out of tune also have a heart
Fotografei você na minha Rolleyflex
I photographed you on my Rolleiflex
Revelou-se a sua enorme ingratidão
Your enormous ingratitude revealed itself
Só não poderá falar assim do meu amor
You just can't talk like that about my love
Este é o maior que você pode encontrar, viu?
This is the greatest you can find, you know?
Você com a sua música esqueceu o principal
You, with your music, forgot the main thing
Que no peito dos desafinados
That in the chest of the out of tune
No fundo do peito bate calado
Deep in the chest, it beats silently
No peito dos desafinados
In the chest of the out of tune
Também bate um coração
There's a heart beating too
Lyrics © Editora e Importadora Musical Fermata do Brasil Ltda., CORCOVADO MUSIC CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: Newton Mendonca, Tom Jobim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rodrigoborquez7349
Mi corazón está de luto. Una de las voces más grandes de mi música favorita. Descansa en paz y vuela alto Gal. Desde Chile con amor....
@lilytoniolo9387
I live in Dallas Texas USA. I bought her CD and all the songs are fantastic. She came to NYC and gave a concert at Carnegie Hall and I was fortunate to be able to attend and she autographed CD. It was absolutely fantastic!
@humbertomoreno141
I loved her, the purity of her voice, her unique and melodious accent, which filled our souls with peace and joy. How sad that she is no longer with us! . Rest in peace Gal Costa
@bettypolk8206
Unfortunately it was a great loss for all of us who had known her for her wonderful voice and talented singer and great musician... Perdemos um grande talento da nossa música brasileira 😢💔
@roselimichelonfernandes5964
Unfortunately we lost our queen. So sad she is gone
@iandowney4630
I’m from Boston, Massachusetts and I’ve been listening to many different styles of Brazilian music since I was a kid. I have no idea how anyone could NOT love Gal! Her voice is among the very best in the entire world, in my opinion. I, too, had the great honor of seeing her perform in Boston- with Dori Caymmi- in 2001, which was two months after the 9/11 attack. I’ll never forget that show! Whether she was singing Jobim, Djavan, Jorge Ben, or singing with Filhos de Gandhi, her voice more than met the moment. In my 60 years, I don’t think I’ve heard a more beautiful and versatile voice. Maybe Ella Fitzgerald. I only wish that more people in this country (US) would listen to Brazilian music. God forgive them for they know not what they do.
My deepest condolences to her family, friends and to Brazil 🇧🇷 for the loss of this amazing musical, cultural and historical icon. She leaves the entire world with a very significant body of music for us and future generations to fall in love with again and again.
A voz dela será enfiada no tecido do universo pra sempre ❤ I hope my português wasn’t too bad.
@roselimichelonfernandes5964
@@iandowney4630 wow thats beautiful. To see how her voice and art touched you deeply just like many brazilians. And you are right Gal is one of the few singers that NO ONE would ever dare to criticize, she actually helped to built the pop culture we have now. She was truly the IT girl WITH TALENT for DECADES. From when i was a girl up until her death she never lost the power with the crowd and the adoration of really the entire country.
@joshcardin2783
She is one of the 10 best voices in all world in all times ever....
@FATIMAGARCIA302
Totally agreed!
@mairamiguel7420
I also agree!