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.

Moça Bonita
Jorge Ben Lyrics

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Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu
Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu
Ai ai ai, ai ai ai

Moça bonita
Moça bonita

Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu

Tudo em nome da alegria
Tudo em nome do amor

Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu
Tudo em nome da alegria
Tudo em nome do amor

Moça bonita
Você olhou quando eu passava
Não sei se foi por querer
Mas eu fiquei imaginando coisas
Fiquei querendo você
Moça bonita
Ai ai ai

Moça bonita, bonita fêmea
Vem dançar comigo
Vem dançar linda morena

Moça bonita, bonita fêmea
Vem dançar comigo
Vem dançar linda morena

Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu
Tudo em nome da alegria
Tudo em nome do amor
Em homenagem a você minha flor
Em homenagem a você minha flor

Seus cabelos, seus olhos
Sua boca, seu corpo
Parecem uma magia
Fluindo sensualidade
Beleza e poesia
Ai ai ai ai

No meu corpo uma doce sensação
Só em pensar que poderei estar
A seu lado
Dançando e sentindo
Seu cheiro de fêmea

Só em pensar que poderei estar
A seu lado
Dançando e sentindo
Seu cheiro de fêmea

Ai ai ai ai
Moça bonita
Moça bonita

Agora no coração Dom Maia
Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu
Tudo em nome da alegria
Tudo em nome do amor

Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu
Tudo em nome da alegria
Tudo em nome do amor

Moça bonita, moça bonita
Ai ai ai ai

Seus cabelos, seus olhos
Sua boca, seu corpo
Parecem uma magia
Fluindo sensualidade

Beleza e poesia
Ai ai ai ai

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jorge Ben's song "Moça Bonita" express a sense of joy, love, and admiration towards a beautiful woman. The singer proclaims that he sings and plays the traditional Afro-Brazilian musical styles of jongo and caxambu in the name of happiness and love. The repetition of the lines "Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu" emphasizes the joy and celebration associated with these musical traditions.

The singer then addresses the "moça bonita" (beautiful girl), expressing his fascination with her. He wonders if she intentionally looked at him as he passed by, and he found himself fantasizing about her and desiring her. The repeated phrase "Ai ai ai" adds a touch of playfulness and excitement to the song.

In the second half of the song, the singer invites the "moça bonita" to dance with him. He describes her beauty and sensuality, comparing her hair, eyes, mouth, and body to a magical and poetic force. He longs to be by her side, dancing and experiencing the sweet sensation of her feminine scent.

Overall, "Moça Bonita" is a lively and romantic song that celebrates the joy of music, the allure of a beautiful woman, and the power of love.

Line by Line Meaning

Eu canto jongo, eu jogo caxambu
I sing jongo, I play caxambu

Tudo em nome da alegria
Everything in the name of joy

Tudo em nome do amor
Everything in the name of love

Moça bonita
Beautiful girl

Você olhou quando eu passava
You looked as I passed by

Não sei se foi por querer
I don't know if it was on purpose

Mas eu fiquei imaginando coisas
But I started imagining things

Fiquei querendo você
I wanted you

Moça bonita
Beautiful girl

Ai ai ai
Ai ai ai