Jorge Duílio Lima Meneses, known professionally as Jorge Ben Jor, and previ… Read Full Bio ↴Jorge Duílio Lima Meneses, known professionally as Jorge Ben Jor, and previously as Jorge Ben, is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and musician.

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.

Menina Gata Augusta
Jorge Ben Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Menina Gata Augusta
Menina Augusta Gata
Menina Gata Augusta
Menina Augusta Gata

Menina menininha
O que ela vai comprar, eu não sei
Mas se ela quisesse comprar o meu amor

Eu lhe daria de graça
Sobe e desce e sobe e desce até cansar
Depois vai pro Yara lanchar
Contando os babados
E tomando o seu chá
Como eu queria ser o gato do lugar
Mas eu, um pobre gatinho
Nunca tem vêz

Pois fico esperando outro dia chegar
Quem sabe a gatinha pra mim vai olhar
Pois fico esperando outro dia chegar
Quem sabe a gatinha pra mim vai olhar

E o pulo do gato eu vou lhe ensinar
E o pulo do gato eu vou lhe ensinar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Menina Gata Augusta by Jorge Ben tell the story of a girl known for her beauty and her shopping habits. The repetition of her name, Menina Gata Augusta, emphasizes her importance in the singer's life. The singer says that he doesn't know what she's going to buy, but if she wanted to buy his love, he would give it to her for free. He watches her come and go, always stopping by the Yara to have a snack and chat with friends. He wishes he could be the cat at the Yara, which always has her attention, but he knows he's just a poor little cat who never gets a turn. He concludes by saying that he will wait for another day when maybe the "gatinha" will notice him and learn the "pulo do gato", or the "cat's leap," which is a special skill that makes it easier to get what you want.

The story this song tells is one of unrequited love and admiration for someone who seems to be unattainable. The singer is enchanted by the girl's beauty and her carefree attitude, but he knows that he can never truly be with her. The repetition of her name and the use of the word "gata," which means cat, reinforces the idea that she is a rare and special creature that he cannot help but be drawn to. At the same time, he is resigned to his fate and continues to wait for the day when their paths will cross in a different way.

Line by Line Meaning

Menina Gata Augusta
This song is about a girl named Augusta who is described as a 'gata,' which in Portuguese can mean either 'cat' or 'sexy.'

Menina Augusta Gata
The order of the words is changed to emphasize that Augusta is both a girl and a cat/sexy.

Menina Gata Augusta
The chorus is repeated, reinforcing the image of Augusta as a girl who is also cat/sexy.

Menina Augusta Gata
The chorus is repeated again, further reinforcing the image of Augusta as a girl who is also cat/sexy.

Menina menininha
The song introduces Augusta as a young girl, using the diminutive form 'menininha,' which means 'little girl.'

O que ela vai comprar, eu não sei
The singer wonders what Augusta is going to buy, indicating that he is observing her from afar and does not know much about her.

Mas se ela quisesse comprar o meu amor
The singer fantasizes about Augusta wanting to buy his love, suggesting that he is infatuated with her.

Eu lhe daria de graça
The singer declares that he would give Augusta his love for free, highlighting his desire for her.

Sobe e desce e sobe e desce até cansar
The song describes Augusta going up and down, possibly on a swing or a carnival ride, until she gets tired.

Depois vai pro Yara lanchar
After playing, Augusta goes to Yara, a restaurant or café, to have a snack.

Contando os babados
While having her snack, Augusta talks about local gossip or rumors, indicating that she is social and well-connected.

E tomando o seu chá
As she gossips, Augusta also drinks her tea, suggesting that she is refined and sophisticated.

Como eu queria ser o gato do lugar
The singer expresses his desire to be the 'cat' of the place, possibly meaning the cool or popular guy whom Augusta would be interested in.

Mas eu, um pobre gatinho
The singer admits that he is just a 'poor kitten,' meaning he is not as cool or desirable as the 'cat' Augusta would be interested in.

Nunca tem vêz
The singer laments that he never gets a chance with Augusta, suggesting that he is stuck in the friend zone or not noticed by her.

Pois fico esperando outro dia chegar
The singer acknowledges that he will have to wait for another day to try his luck with Augusta.

Quem sabe a gatinha pra mim vai olhar
The singer hopes that Augusta will finally notice him and give him a chance.

E o pulo do gato eu vou lhe ensinar
The singer promises to teach Augusta the 'jump of the cat,' which is a Brazilian idiom meaning a clever trick or strategy to achieve a goal.

Contributed by Max O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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