His characteristic style fuses rock and roll, samba, bossa nova, jazz, maracatu, funk, ska and even hip hop, with lyrics that mix humor and satire, as well as themes esoteric. Jorge's work has a unique importance for Brazilian music, as it incorporates new elements in swing and guitar playing, with characteristics of North American rock, soul and funk. Furthermore, he brought Arab and African influences, coming from his mother, born in Ethiopia.
He influenced sambalanço and samba-rock and was covered and honored by countless exponents of the new generations of Brazilian music, such as Mundo Livre S/A, Os Paralamas do Sucesso, Skank, Fernanda Abreu, Racionais MC's and Belô Velloso. Jorge Ben Jor exploded with the song "Mas, Que Nada!" and, soon after, ratified his talent with another great hit, "Chove Chuva". Two songs that were neither bossa nova nor samba. Purists thought his music was too modern. It was difficult for musicians at the time to follow him, so much so that his first albums were recorded with a group that played samba jazz at Beco das Garrafas, Meirelles e os Copa 5, led by saxophonist J. T. Meirelles.
A Tamba
Jorge Ben Lyrics
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Vamos todos até lá
Pois a tamba está tocando
Hoje nós vamos sambar
Ié, ié, ié, ié, ié, iá
Ié, ié, ié, ié, ié, iá
Desde que se foi
Ninguém jamais fez samba
Ninguém jamais cantou
Ô, ô, ô, ô
Um lamento ou uma canção de amor
Ié, ié, ié, ié, ié, iá
Ié, ié, ié, ié, ié, iá
Desde que se foi
O nosso Rei Nagô, ô, ô
Ninguém jamais fez samba
Ninguém jamais cantou
Ô, ô, ô, ô
Um lamento ou uma canção de amor
The lyrics of the Jorge Ben song, "A Tamba," convey a melancholic sentimentality around the loss of their cultural leader, the Nagô king. The first verse calls the listener to the conga by proclaiming that the tamba is playing and it's time to samba. It's as though the sound of the tamba is the beacon for the community to come together and find solace and joy through their music.
The second verse reminisces about the Nagô king and the void he left behind. The singer mourns the fact that since his passing, no one has been able to make samba or sing a song of love with the same soulfulness as the Nagô king. It's a tribute to the immense influence the Nagô king had on the music and culture of the community.
Overall, "A Tamba" is a lamentation of the loss of a cultural leader who represented the very essence of their music and art.
Line by Line Meaning
A conga esta chamando
The conga is calling us
Vamos todos até lá
Let's all go there
Pois a tamba está tocando
Because the tamba is playing
Hoje nós vamos sambar
Today we will samba
Ié, ié, ié, ié, ié, iá
Chant of excitement and energy
Desde que se foi
Since he/she has gone
O nosso Rei Nagô, ô, ô
Our King Nagô, oh, oh
Ninguém jamais fez samba
No one has ever made samba
Ninguém jamais cantou
No one has ever sung
Ô, ô, ô, ô
An expression of sadness
Um lamento ou uma canção de amor
A lament or a love song
Lyrics © PEER INTERNATIONAL CORP
Written by: Jorge Menezes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind