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.
Vinheta
Jorge Ben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Queremos pizza
Queremos café
Queremos pizza
Queremos café
Se for possível
Uma coca-cola bem gelada
E uma água tônica com gás
Escute o que eu vou falar
Se não me der
A gravação não sai
Do meu Brasil.
The lyrics of Jorge Ben's song Vinheta express some of the artist's preferences for consumables; coffee and pizza to be specific. The repetition of "queremos café" and "queremos pizza" conveys a sense of desire and longing for these items, perhaps in response to feelings of hunger or simply as a treat. The repetition also adds a rhythmic element to the song and emphasizes the importance of these basic pleasures in life.
The mention of Coca-Cola and tonic water with gas indicates a desire for beverages that are both refreshing and effervescent, again adding a sense of pleasure to the moment. The last few lines of the verse convey a subtle threat to the listener - if the artist is not given what he wants, the recording will not be released from Brazil. This may be interpreted as a statement of artistic control: if his creative needs are not met, he will not release the work to the world. Overall, the song is a celebration of simple pleasures and a reminder of the power artists wield over their creations.
Line by Line Meaning
Queremos café
We desire coffee
Queremos pizza
We desire pizza
Queremos café
We desire coffee
Queremos pizza
We desire pizza
Queremos café
We desire coffee
Se for possível
If possible
Uma coca-cola bem gelada
A well-chilled coke
E uma água tônica com gás
And a carbonated tonic water
Olha meu amigo
Look my friend
Escute o que eu vou falar
Listen to what I'm going to say
Se não me der
If you don't give me
A gravação não sai
The recording won't come out
Do meu Brasil
From my Brazil
Contributed by Gabriel A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.