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
Destino
Madredeus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
claro luar
um quase nada
muito melhor
nesta viagem que comecei
grave miragem a mim chamei
contar uma história tão breve
é longo o caminho
mas a alma quer
se foi meu destino
cantar com uma voz que me chora
é longo o caminho
mas a alma adora
The song "Destino" by Madredeus is a contemplative piece that speaks to the idea of destiny and our personal journey in life. The opening lines, "águas paradas claro luar, um quase nada muito melhor" (still waters, clear moonlight, almost nothing much better) set a tranquil and reflective tone. The lyrics speak of a journey just beginning and a sense of calling or purpose that beckons. The phrase "grave miragem a mim chamei" (grave mirage I named myself) suggests a sense of illusion or uncertainty about what lies ahead, but also an acknowledgement of the power of perception and self-awareness.
As the song progresses, the chorus repeats the lines "se foi meu destino" (if it was my destiny) in two different contexts. The first speaks to the idea of telling a brief story, acknowledging the brevity and fragility of life. The second suggests a desire to sing with a voice that brings sadness but also joy, underscoring the complexity of the human experience. The repeated line "é longo o caminho" (the road is long) serves as a reminder that the journey we are on is not always easy or clear, but our souls are drawn to it nonetheless.
Overall, "Destino" is a poetic and introspective song that invites the listener to reflect on their own destiny and the journey that lies ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
águas paradas
Stagnant waters
claro luar
Clear moonlight
um quase nada
Almost nothing
muito melhor
Much better
nesta viagem que comecei
In this journey I started
grave miragem a mim chamei
I called a serious mirage upon myself
se foi meu destino
If it was my destiny
contar uma história tão breve
To tell a story so short
é longo o caminho
The path is long
mas a alma quer
But the soul desires
se foi meu destino
If it was my destiny
cantar com uma voz que me chora
To sing with a voice that cries for me
é longo o caminho
The path is long
mas a alma adora
But the soul loves
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Concodillo Dandyc
Se me yerguen los pelos de los brazos siempre que la escucho. Belleza incomparable y casi indescriptible <3
Gabriele Filiti
Quanta dolcezza in questa voce che si perde nell'incanto della musica...
Da un senso di struggente malinconia, ma anche una sensazione di pace e serenità...
XxsmilexX
Una de mis canciones favoritas..... LLega a tocar el alma!
Paco Lobo
Obra maestra y gira espectacular durante ese año 1995., de MADREDEUS...
Fabio e Meire
Emoção e Paz...
Corazòn Venerable
I remember this song when my daughter was a newborn baby. She's 20 now. Beautiful life 🙏
José Miguel Viñals Ariño
Es una canción preciosa, y la voz de Teresa Salgueiro es suave, y dulce, y blanda como una hoja al viento. Cuando la oigo me imagino corriendo, y ante mí la nada, el horizonte a lo lejos, el crepúsculo, y yo corriendo hacia él.
AOcamp Sand
Una cancion hermosa llena de muchas sensaciones, simplemente la mejor
Heitor Silva
PAZ DE ESPÍRITO NEM SEMPRE SE CONSEGUE TER
S.Germain Jr
Ano de 1995, o Madredeus no auge, canções belas, imortais. Essa canção maravilhosa e esse disco "O Espírito da Paz" traz tantas recordações boas, nossa... Lembro como hoje, o grupo fez um show gratuito neste mesmo ano em Salvador/BA Brasil. Impossível de se esquecer. Quantas recordações boas, realmente é uma obra prima toda essa banda e toda sua trajetória musical... Só emoções. 💜💙🎺🎸🌟🌿✴️💜