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.
Oba
Jorge Ben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O ôba lá lá, ôba lá lá
Uma canção
Quem ouvir o ôba lá lá
Terá feliz o coração
O amor encontrará
Alguém compreenderá
O seu coração
Quem ouvir o ôba lá lá
Terá feliz o coração
Ôba lá lá, ôba lá lá, ôba lá lá
The opening lines of the song “Oba” by Jorge Ben are straightforward, literal, and convey a simple message: love is joy. The chorus of the song is repetitive, like a chant or mantra, which adds to the hypnotic feel of the song. The use of the phrase “Oba lá lá” in the chorus adds an air of playfulness to the song and ties into the overall theme of joy and happiness. The verses of the song are short, but they work to reinforce the chorus by expanding upon the idea that through listening to the song, one can find love and happiness.
The song “Oba” is more than just a simple love song, it is also considered to be one of the greatest examples of Brazilian funk music. The song was released in 1972, during a period of great political turmoil in Brazil, and it spoke to the power of music to unite and uplift people despite difficult circumstances. The instrumentation in the song is complex, featuring a mix of Brazilian sounds such as samba, bossa nova, and baiao, as well as American funk influences. Jorge Ben’s use of the guitar in the song is also notable, as he incorporates both traditional Brazilian fingerstyle and a more aggressive, rock-inspired approach to the instrument.
Line by Line Meaning
É o amor
Love is the theme
O ôba lá lá, ôba lá lá
Expressing the joy of love through the traditional Brazilian rhythm called 'samba'
Uma canção
A song that celebrates love
Quem ouvir o ôba lá lá
For those who hear the samba rhythm
Terá feliz o coração
Will have a happy heart
O amor encontrará
Will find the joy of love
Ouvindo esta canção
By listening to this song
Alguém compreenderá
Someone would understand
O seu coração
Their own heart
Ôba lá lá, ôba lá lá, ôba lá lá
Repeating the joyful rhythm with enthusiasm
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOAO GILBERTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LivAragao
This is a loose translation, but i hope it can help foreign listeners!
“Ôba” is an interjection that expresses excitement, much like “yay” or “wow”
“Ôba”! There she comes!
I’m keeping my eye on her
I don’t mind if she doesn’t look at me
Doesn’t say anything and doesn’t know i exist
Who i am, for i know very well who she is
And i’m happy just to see her walk by
“Ôba”! There she comes!
I’m keeping my eye on her
The night is beautiful and she’s even more
All dressed in pink
Prettier and sweeter
Than a rose
“Ôba”! There she comes!
I’m keeping my eye on her
I don’t mind whatever they say or think
For, unknowingly, she’s my joy
She has the perfume of a flower i don’t know the name of
But it must have a pretty name just like her
“Ôba”! There she comes!
I’m keeping my eye on her
And how to say “yes”?
And how to act?
“Ôba”! There she comes!
I’ve been keeping my eye on her
For so long
“Ôba”! There she comes!
I’m keeping my eye on her
@marcelomateusteixeira7005
Do outro lado do Atlântico, em Lisboa, abro uma cerveja e decido investigar com pinças a música brasileira - a verdadeira. E aqui estou eu, tão bem e de olho nela.
@PauloSilva-or5nh
breja é gostosinha em, mas um uísque é melhor para apreciar a boa.
@danieloliveira8961
Gigante
@hayssagoncalvesdealmirante2506
Fez certinho
@Sparksnew1
hola vengo a flotar
@MultiSAmchannel
cirúrgico.
@sierranicole7643
I've always thought Portuguese was the prettiest language and oh my, this is so beautiful
@luisdascondongas6199
I appreciate it man thanks, because I heard a lot of people who don't like that much, saying it sounds Russian and ugly... At least somebody enjoy my language.
@sierranicole7643
@@luisdascondongas6199 That's so sad, it's gorgeous especially when people sing in it 💖
@manganicmalaria
wg93 Luís but you agree that Russian is ugly and deserves to be talked down . Hypocrisy. Xenophobia. Russophobia. WBK