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.
Vem Morena Vem
Jorge Ben Lyrics
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Vem morena vem sambar
Vem morena vem
Que o samba está a lhe esperar
Pois existe naquele cantinho
Um piano de estimação
Uma velha bateria
Um amigo inseparável
O meu violão
Vem morena vem
Vem morena vem sambar
Vem morena vem
Que o samba está a lhe esperar
Sem você não vai haver samba
Muito triste eu vou ficar
Vem para o samba morena
Não seja assim tão má
Pois existe naquele cantinho
Um piano de estimação
Uma velha bateria
Para fazer a marcação
Um amigo inseparável
O meu violão
Vem morena vem
Vem morena, vem sambar
Vem morena vem
Que o samba está a lhe esperar
Oi, sem você não vai haver samba
Muito triste eu vou ficar
Venha para o samba morena
Não seja assim tão má
Vem morena
Vem sambar
Vem morena vem
Vem sambar meu bem
Vem morena
Vem sambar
The lyrics to Jorge Ben's "Vem Morena Vem" are an invitation to a woman to come and join the samba party. The song describes the setting of the party, which includes a beloved piano, an old drum set, and a guitar played by a friend. The chorus repeats the phrase "Vem morena vem" which translates to "come brown girl come" as a coaxing phrase to convince the woman to come dance and enjoy the samba party that is waiting for her. Ben sings that the party will not be complete without her and pleads for her to come and join in the fun.
The song's lyrics are an example of the Brazilian culture surrounding samba, which is known for being a lively and colorful celebration. The lyrics demonstrate the importance of community and the inclusivity of the Brazilian samba culture. The song's phrasing and rhythms are a reflection of samba's infectious beat and the way it can entice people to get up and dance. The song also celebrates the instruments and music that are central to samba while highlighting the spontaneity and joy that surrounds it.
Line by Line Meaning
Vem morena vem
Come on, brunette, come
Vem morena vem sambar
Come on, brunette, come and samba
Vem morena vem, que o samba está a lhe esperar
Come on, brunette, the samba is waiting for you
Pois existe naquele cantinho
Because there's a corner
Um piano de estimação
With a beloved piano
Uma velha bateria
An old drum set
Para fazer a marcação
To keep the rhythm
Um amigo inseparável
An inseparable friend
O meu violão
My guitar
Sem você não vai haver samba
Without you, there will be no samba
Muito triste eu vou ficar
I'll be very sad
Vem para o samba morena
Come to the samba, brunette
Não seja assim tão má
Don't be so mean
Vem sambar meu bem
Come and samba, my dear
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jorge Lima Menezes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind