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.

O Filósofo
Jorge Ben Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ele chegou descontraído
Chegou filosofando num tom de voz meio angelical
Falando das coisas belas
E das coisas simples
Mostrando como o belo pode ser simples
E o simples pode ser belo
Ele chegou descontraído
Chegou filosofando num tom de voz meio angelical

Explicando o fenômeno
E a compreensão da agricultura celeste
Do amor e do coração
Como vida lhe pediu
Que tentasse lhe compreender
Agradeceu a atenção dispensada
Distribuindo rosas que colhia no ar
Distribuindo rosas que colhia no ar
Ele chegou descontraído
Chegou filosofando num tom de voz meio angelical

Ele chegou descontraído
Chegou filosofando num tom de voz meio angelical

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics are from the song "O Filósofo," performed by Jorge Ben. In these lyrics, Ben describes the arrival of a philosopher who speaks in a comfortable and angelic tone. The philosopher speaks about beautiful and simple things, highlighting how beauty can be found in simplicity and vice versa. He talks about celestial agriculture, love, and the heart, and expresses his desire to be understood. The philosopher distributes roses that he seemingly gathers from the air, as a symbol of his appreciation for the attention given to him.

The philosopher in these lyrics seems to represent a peaceful and understanding individual who aims to enlighten others about the beauty and simplicity of life. The tone in which he speaks is soft and comforting, which contrasts with the often-harsh reality of the world. The roses he distributes serve as a symbol of this gentle and peaceful presence.

Line by Line Meaning

Ele chegou descontraído
He arrived relaxed and at ease

Chegou filosofando num tom de voz meio angelical
He arrived philosophizing in a half-angelic tone of voice

Falando das coisas belas
Speaking of beautiful things

E das coisas simples
And of simple things

Mostrando como o belo pode ser simples
Showing how beauty can be simple

E o simples pode ser belo
And how simplicity can be beautiful

Explicando o fenômeno
Explaining the phenomenon

E a compreensão da agricultura celeste
And understanding of celestial agriculture

Do amor e do coração
Of love and the heart

Como vida lhe pediu
As life asked of him

Que tentasse lhe compreender
To try and understand it