The band's founding members were Pedro Ayres Magalhães (Classical guitar), Rodrigo Leão (keyboard synthesizer), Francisco Ribeiro (cello) and Teresa Salgueiro (vocals). Magalhães and Leão formed the band in 1985, Ribeiro joined in 1986. They'd been searching for a female singer, and found Teresa Salgueiro in one of Lisbon's night clubs. Teresa liked their music and agreed to join, so in 1987 Madredeus recorded their first album, Os dias da Madredeus.
The first album was recorded in their rehearsal space, a disused abbey in Lisbon (Convento da Madredeus. The recording was especially strenuous due to deafening interruptions every 5 minutes from Lisbon's tram service, which ran directly above. In honour of this unavoidable presence in their every performance, they named themselves after the line's nearby terminus, Madre de Deus (Mother of God), shortened to the vernacular Madredeus.
In 1993, Pedro Ayres Magalhães left the band temporarily and was replaced in live concerts by José Peixoto (Classical guitar). Magalhães rejoined the group later, making it a sextet with two guitarists.
They released several albums and became very popular in Portugal, but remained relatively unknown outside the country. This changed in 1994 when Wim Wenders, impressed by their music, asked Madredeus to perform in his movie Lisbon Story - the soundtrack gave the band international fame. Thanks to that, Madredeus spread their wings to the world and conquered fans from all over Europe, South America, Africa and Asia.
In 1994 Rodrigo Leão left the band to start a solo career, being replaced by Carlos Maria Trindade (keyboard synthesizer).
In 1997 Francisco Ribeiro and Gabriel Gomes left the band as Madredeus' style started abandoning its fado roots with the release of O Paraíso. At this time Fernando Júdice (Acoustic bass guitar) was invited to join them, to form the current lineup, again a quintet. Madredeus has sold over 3 million albums worldwide.
In 2007 Teresa Salgueiro announced she would be leaving the band in order to pursue her personal solo projects.
In 2008, with a new formation and under the name of Madredeus & a Banda Cósmica, they released Metafonia.
In April 2012 Madredeus announced its new album Essencia. This album is a travel through Madredeus music for 25 years since it was formed. Madredeus announced too its new formation, composed of Beatriz Nunes (singer), Pedro Ayres de Magalhães (guitar), Carlos Maria Trinidade (synthesizer), Jorge Varrecoso (violin), Antonio Figueirido (violin) and Luis Clode (cello). With this new formation Pedro Ayres said in an interview: "The melody is much more supported, without losing harmonic and rhythmic sense and keeps walking Madredeus".
Discography
* Os Dias da MadreDeus (1987)
* Existir (1990)
* Lisboa (1992, live in Lisbon)
* O Espírito da Paz (1994)
* Ainda (1995, soundtrack from Lisbon Story)
* O Paraíso (1997)
* O Porto (1998, live at Porto)
* Antologia (2000, a compilation of 'best of' material)
* Movimento (2001)
* Palavras Cantadas (2001)
* Euforia (2002)
* Electrónico (2002)
* Um Amor Infinito (2004)
* Faluas do Tejo (2005)
* Obrigado (2006)
* Metafonia (2008)
* Essencia (2012)
* Capricho Sentimental (2015)
http://www.madredeus.com
A Cidade
Madredeus Lyrics
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Não tem idade
Não tem idade
Nesta saudade
Nesta saudade
Nesta cidade
Não tem idade
Ai esta cidade
Ai esta cidade
The lyrics to Madredeus's song A Cidade speak to the universality of feelings of nostalgia and longing. The repetition of the phrase "Nesta saudade/Nesta cidade" emphasizes this point, suggesting that these emotions can be experienced regardless of age or location. The line "Não tem idade" ("There is no age") drives home the idea that everyone can relate to missing something or someone, and that these feelings can persist throughout a lifetime.
The use of "cidade" (city) in the chorus suggests that these emotions may be tied to a specific place, perhaps one that the singer has left behind. The line "Ai esta cidade" ("Oh, this city") creates a sense of wistfulness or sadness, as if the singer is lamenting the loss of something important to them. The repetition of this phrase throughout the chorus reinforces this idea, suggesting that the singer may be struggling to come to terms with their feelings of nostalgia.
Overall, the lyrics to A Cidade are simple but evocative, expressing a sentiment that many can relate to. The universality of nostalgia and longing is a powerful theme that resonates with listeners, making this song a poignant addition to Madredeus's catalog.
Line by Line Meaning
Nesta saudade
In this longing
Não tem idade
There is no age
Não tem idade
There is no age
Nesta saudade
In this longing
Nesta saudade
In this longing
Nesta cidade
In this city
Não tem idade
There is no age
Não tem idade
There is no age
Ai esta cidade
Oh, this city
Ai esta cidade
Oh, this city
Lyrics © SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Francisco Menezes, Pedro Ayres Ferreira Magalhaes, Rodrigo Fabiano Leao
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind