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.
Mexe Mexe
Jorge Ben Lyrics
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Mexe, mexe, mexe (tô mexendo)
Quando você para de brincar de mexer
Você envelhece (lhece)
Quando você para de brincar de mexer
A sua barba cresce (cresce)
Quando você para de brincar de mexer
Irmão, irmã
Pare, pense, brinque e mexa
Pare, pense, brinque e mexa
Pois a vida é bela
Tem gente que não sabe brincar e mexer com ela
Pois a vida é bela
Tem gente que não sabe brincar e mexer com ela
Por isso mexe, mexe
A arte de mexer vem desde os tempos da pedra lascada
Todo mundo mexia, todo mundo balançava
Todo mundo sacudia, todo mundo requebrava
E cantava
Mexe, mexe, mexe, mexe (tô mexendo)
Mexe, mexe, mexe, mexe (tô mexendo)
Pois quando você para de brincar de mexer
Você envelhece (lhece)
Mexe, mexe por favor
Mexe, mexe meu amor
É um, é dois, é três, lá vai, todo mundo mexendo
Em cima, em baixo
Em baixo, em cima
Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa quero ver mexer
2004 - © Musisom
The song "Mexe Mexe" by Jorge Ben Jor is an upbeat tune about the importance of playing and moving in order to maintain a youthful and joyful spirit. The repetitive chorus urges listeners to keep moving and not to stop playing, lest they grow old and lose their energy and zest for life. The verses highlight some of the physical and emotional effects of stopping "mexer" (a Portuguese slang term for moving and shaking), such as growing a beard, suffering from heartache, and losing one's enjoyment of life. The song also celebrates the ancient human tradition of movement and music-making, going back to the days of cavemen who danced and sang around fires.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a call to the listener to not take life too seriously and to keep their inner child alive by engaging in playful movement and dance. It emphasizes the importance of having fun and enjoying life, and how this can lead to a healthier and happier existence. The song's catchy rhythm and joyful tone reinforce this message and make it a popular tune for dancing and celebrating.
Overall, "Mexe Mexe" is a fun and lighthearted song that promotes the benefits of play and movement, and urges listeners to stay young at heart by never forgetting the joy of dancing and singing.
Line by Line Meaning
Mexe, mexe, mexe (tô mexendo)
Keep moving and grooving, I'm moving and grooving
Quando você para de brincar de mexer
When you stop playing around and moving
Você envelhece (lhece)
You grow old and weak
A sua barba cresce (cresce)
Your beard grows out
Seu coração ao invés de bater padece (dece)
Your heart suffers instead of beating
Irmão, irmã
Brother, sister
Pare, pense, brinque e mexa
Stop, think, play and move
Pois a vida é bela
Because life is beautiful
Tem gente que não sabe brincar e mexer com ela
Some people don't know how to have fun and enjoy it
A arte de mexer vem desde os tempos da pedra lascada
The art of movement comes from the times of the chipped stone
Todo mundo mexia, todo mundo balançava
Everyone was moving, everyone was shaking
Todo mundo sacudia, todo mundo requebrava
Everyone was shaking, everyone was grooving
Mexe, mexe por favor
Move, move please
Mexe, mexe meu amor
Move, move my love
É um, é dois, é três, lá vai, todo mundo mexendo
One, two, three, here we go, everyone moving
Em cima, em baixo
Up, down
Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa quero ver mexer
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, I want to see you move
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.