Gal became one of Brazil's foremost Tropicália counterculture movement singers during the late 1960s and early 70s, quickly earning the title as one of the best and most acclaimed singers in Brazil, following a very succesful career with many hits and prestige over the years. During Tropicália, she became a political activist, coming into conflict with Brazil's government when dissent in music was censored, and later coming to represent the movement all alone in her country when her fellow Tropicália members and friends were exhiled to London due to the heavy dictatorship that was going on at the time.
Fellow musician Caetano Veloso, introduced her to Gilberto Gil and Tom Zé in 1963 (and later Maria Bethânia), who managed to secure her a recording deal in São Paulo for her debut album Domingo with Caetano Veloso. A bit before recording her first album, "Father of Bossa Nova" João Gilberto, met her and after a couple of hours hearing Gracinha (as she was known at the time) sing for him as he was playing the acoustic guitar, he said: "Gracinha, you're Brazil's greatest female singer". In the following years, Gal would prove his statement right with a fruitful and rewarding career, and with the encouragement of João Gilberto himself; her biggest idol.
Gal has recorded songs composed by a number of Brazil's most popular songwriters such as Antônio Carlos Jobim, Jorge Ben Jor, Chico Buarque, Rita Lee and especially her close friends Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. She was also a member of the supergroup Doces Bárbaros, active in 1976, 1994 and 2002.
Dadá Maria
Gal Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Faz um ano que a saudade vem chamando por você
Pra que voltando você traga aqueles dias
De festas, de valentias, da falta do que fazer
Meu companheiro vem vindo de Vitória
Onde a lua canta as mágoas
De outros mares de outras águas
Sempre atrás de cantadores não dei um ponto sem nó
De parceria com um tal de Dandará
Conheci toda a Bahia, fui ao Belém do Pará
Dadá Maria, sua amiga é quem lhe diz
Não há coisas mais bonitas que as coisas desse país
Mas que alegria vê-la aqui Dadá Maria
Assim toda viajada nas terras do coração
Mas diga a mim as coisas desses confins
Da maneira mais bonita na sua melhor canção
Falar mais posso o tal chavão costumeiro
Que diz sem nenhum favor
Que Deus era brasileiro, brasileiro
Falar mais posso o tal chavão costumeiro
Que diz sem nenhum favor
Que Deus era brasileiro, brasileiro
Brasileiro
Brasileiro
Brasileiro . . .
The song "Dadá Maria" by Gal Costa is an ode to the titular character, celebrating her return after a year of absence. The opening lines express joy at her presence and longing for her return, emphasizing the importance of community and the bonds that tie us together. The lyrics then go on to reminisce about past times, describing the festive and carefree atmosphere they shared before Dadá Maria's departure. The singer invites her to bring back those days, to recapture the magic that they once had.
The song then shifts focus to the journey of the singer's companion, who has traveled to different parts of Brazil, seeking out other artists and experiencing new places. The lyrics evoke a sense of adventure and wanderlust, as well as a deep respect for the richness and diversity of Brazilian culture. The singer reflects on the beauty of the country, both in its natural landscape and in the art and traditions of its people. The final lines of the song repeat a phrase that is often used to describe Brazil - that God was Brazilian - affirming the singer's pride and patriotism.
Overall, "Dadá Maria" is a song about connection, belonging, and the power of music and art to bring people together. It celebrates the beauty and diversity of Brazil, while also expressing a sense of nostalgia for simpler times. Through its lyrics, the song invites us to appreciate the things that matter most in life - our relationships, our shared experiences, and our collective heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
Mas que alegria vê-la aqui Dadá Maria
It brings me great joy to see you here, Dadá Maria
Faz um ano que a saudade vem chamando por você
I've been missing you for a year now
Pra que voltando você traga aqueles dias
Please bring back those days when we celebrated and enjoyed life with nothing to do
De festas, de valentias, da falta do que fazer
Days filled with parties, adventures, and nothingness
Meu companheiro vem vindo de Vitória
My companion is coming from Vitória
Onde a lua canta as mágoas
Where the moon sings out its sorrows
De outros mares de outras águas
From other seas and waters
Nessa viagem ao rumo de Marajó
On a journey towards Marajó
Sempre atrás de cantadores não dei um ponto sem nó
Always following singers and creating a purposeful journey
De parceria com um tal de Dandará
Together with a certain Dandará
Conheci toda a Bahia, fui ao Belém do Pará
Traveled throughout Bahia and went to Belém do Pará
Dadá Maria, sua amiga é quem lhe diz
It's your friend, Dadá Maria, who tells you
Não há coisas mais bonitas que as coisas desse país
There are no things more beautiful than the things in this country
Assim toda viajada nas terras do coração
Having traveled across the lands of your heart
Mas diga a mim as coisas desses confins
Please tell me about the things in these remote regions
Da maneira mais bonita na sua melhor canção
In the most beautiful way through your best song
Falar mais posso o tal chavão costumeiro
I can speak about the customary cliche
Que diz sem nenhum favor
That says, without any bias
Que Deus era brasileiro, brasileiro
That God was Brazilian, Brazilian
Brasileiro
Brazilian
Brasileiro
Brazilian
Brasileiro . . .
Brazilian...
Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alexandrecapelli2445
na coletânea Gal Costa "divina maravilhosa" a canção vem datada de 1967.
@Malex40
"Dadá Maria" é de 1967.
Foi lançada originalmente em compacto nas vozes do autor Renato Teixeira (que 10 anos depois comporia "Romaria") e Gal Costa.
Nesse mesmo ano a Odeon regravou a mesma música com Silvio César e Clara Nunes.
@isacrpereira
:3