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.
Ma Ma Ma Ma Mae
Jorge Ben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh ooô ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Mas que nada sai da minha frente, eu quero passar
Pois samba está animado que eu quero é sambar
Esse samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho, samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Você não vai querer que eu chegue no final
Oh ooô ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá
Esse samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho, samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Um samba como esse tão legal
Você não vai querer que eu chegue no final
Oh ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá
The lyrics to Jorge Ben's "Mas Que Nada" are about the joy and infectiousness of samba music. The singer declares that nothing can stop him from passing through because he wants to dance along with the energetic samba beats. He emphasizes that this samba is a mix of maracatu (a Brazilian rhythm originating from Northeastern Brazil) and is full of the spirit of the black ancestors (samba de preto velho).
The line "Mas que nada" is a Portuguese phrase that means "but nothing." However, in this context, it can be interpreted as "no way" or "no kidding" because the singer is amazed by the samba's beauty and power. He also boasts that a samba as great as this, no one will want it to end because its rhythm is so contagious.
This song has become an icon in Brazilian music and has been covered by many artists in different languages. It has been featured in movies, commercials, and TV shows, making it one of the most recognizable Brazilian songs worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá
Repetitive phrase used for rhythmic purposes.
Oh ooô ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Repetitive phrase used for rhythmic purposes.
Mas que nada sai da minha frente, eu quero passar
Move out of my way, I want to dance to the lively samba beat.
Pois samba está animado que eu quero é sambar
The samba beat is so upbeat and lively, I just want to dance to it.
Esse samba que é misto de maracatu
This samba has a blend of Maracatu, a traditional Afro-Brazilian percussion music.
É samba de preto velho, samba de preto tu
It's a samba with an Afro-Brazilian heritage, influenced by the music of black people.
Mas que nada
But really, it's just a fun-loving samba tune.
Um samba como esse tão legal
A samba as cool as this one.
Você não vai querer que eu chegue no final
You won't want me to stop dancing to this great samba tune.
Oh ooô ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Repetitive phrase used for rhythmic purposes.
Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá
Repetitive phrase used for rhythmic purposes.
Esse samba que é misto de maracatu
This samba has a blend of Maracatu, a traditional Afro-Brazilian percussion music.
É samba de preto velho, samba de preto tu
It's a samba with an Afro-Brazilian heritage, influenced by the music of black people.
Mas que nada
But really, it's just a fun-loving samba tune.
Um samba como esse tão legal
A samba as cool as this one.
Você não vai querer que eu chegue no final
You won't want me to stop dancing to this great samba tune.
Oh ooô lariá laiô obá obá obá
Repetitive phrase used for rhythmic purposes.
Oh lariá laiô obá obá obá
Repetitive phrase used for rhythmic purposes.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jorge Lima Menezes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind