She is one of the top-touring artists in Japan, becoming the first female artist to play all five of Japan's largest stadiums in 2004. Misia is famed for her five-octave vocal range and is widely recognized as the first Japanese R&B superstar.
Born and raised in Nagasaki, MISIA moved to Fukuoka at the age of 14 to pursue a recording career. There, she continued her secondary education and briefly attended Seinan Gakuin University before withdrawing to focus on her musical career. She was signed to BMG Japan in 1997, after auditioning for record producer Haruo Yoda.
Since 2001, she has been engaging in environmental and human rights activism. In 2008, she founded Child AFRICA, an organization aimed at supporting education and creating sustainable societies. In 2010, she was named Honorary Ambassador of the 10th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
For the Portuguese fado singer, see Mísia.
Canção do Mar
MISIA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Além do mar cruel
E o mar bramindo
Diz que eu fui roubar
A luz sem par
Do teu olhar tão lindo
Vem saber se o mar terá razão
Se eu bailar no meu batel
Nao vou ao mar cruel
E nem lhe digo aonde eu fui cantar
Sorrir, bailar, viver, sonhar contigo
Vem saber se o mar terá razão
Vem cá ver bailar meu coração
Se eu bailar no meu batel
Nao vou ao mar cruel
E nem lhe digo aonde eu fui cantar
Sorrir, bailar, viver, sonhar contigo
The lyricist paints a picture of a contemplative and reflective mood through the use of vivid imagery of the sea. The lyricist sets the stage with the opening lines "Fui bailar no meu batel, Além do mar cruel" (I went dancing in my boat, beyond the cruel sea), which suggests a sense of escapism from the rigours of life to a more peaceful and serene environment beyond the devastating force of the sea. As the lyrics progress, the singer intuitively listens to the sea forces, considering whether or not there may be any element of truth to the negative connotations the sea appears to have of the singer's journey. However, in the chorus, the singer reassures himself that he will not return to the cruel sea if he dances in his boat, and that he will continue to dream and experience life's joys with the object of his desire.
The song's lyrics and music are inspired by the works of the Portuguese poet Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, and it was first recorded by Fado artist Amália Rodrigues in 1955. Factually, Amália Rodrigues's version of the song is not the original composer's interpretation; it was rearranged by French arranger Alain Oulman. Hence, Mícia's version is closer to the original rendition of the song, and the music was composed by Frederico de Brito, a Portuguese songwriter.
Interestingly, the lyrics of the song have been translated and performed in several languages, including English, French, and Spanish, with the song becoming a hit in Europe and Asia. The song's popularity translated to a nomination and eventual award from the European Border Breakers Awards in 2008.
The song's popularity has also been enhanced by its use in several major motion pictures, including La Baie des Anges (1963), and La Cage aux Folles (1979). The song's title, “Canção do mar”, translates to the "Song of the Sea." Moreover, Mísia has stated in interviews that the song "Canção do mar" holds a significant personal connection to her life and that she would often sing it to her son as a lullaby.
Chord Progression: The chord progression of "Canção do mar" is Gm - D7 - Gm - A7 - D7 - E7 - Am - D7.
In summary, the lyrics of "Canção do mar" provide an interesting story of an individual in search of serenity, while the song's popularity over the years has firmly secured it as a classic Fado tune, recognised worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
Fui bailar no meu batel
I went to dance in my boat
Além do mar cruel
Beyond the cruel sea
E o mar bramindo
And the roaring sea
Diz que eu fui roubar
Says that I went to steal
A luz sem par
The unparalleled brightness
Do teu olhar tão lindo
From your beautiful gaze
Vem saber se o mar terá razão
Come see if the sea is right
Vem cá ver bailar meu coração
Come here and see my heart dance
Se eu bailar no meu batel
If I dance in my boat
Nao vou ao mar cruel
I won't go to the cruel sea
E nem lhe digo aonde eu fui cantar
And I won't tell where I went to sing
Sorrir, bailar, viver, sonhar contigo
Smile, dance, live, dream with you
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANCISCO TRINIDADE, JOAQUIM BRITO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind