Marisa de Azevedo Monte is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, multi-instrument… Read Full Bio ↴Marisa de Azevedo Monte is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer.

She has sold over 10 million albums and won numerous national and international awards, including five Latin Grammy Awards, seven Video Music Brasil, nine Multishow Brazilian Music Awards, five APCA and six TIM Music Awards. Marisa is considered by the American magazine Rolling Stone as the fourth greatest Brazilian singer, behind Elis Regina, Gal Costa and Maria Bethânia. She also has two albums on the list of the 100 best albums in Brazilian music.

In October 2021, Marisa was awarded at the 44th edition of the Tenco Award, for her work as a singer and songwriter, becoming the first Brazilian female artist to receive such an honor.

South American Way
Marisa Monte Lyrics

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Salve salve as rainha do rádio

Ai, ai, ai, ai
É o canto do pregoneiro
Que com sua harmonia
Traz alegria
In South American way

Ai, ai, ai, ai
E o que traz em seu tabuleiro
Vende pra ioiô
E vende pra iaiá
In South American Way

E vende vatapá
E vende caruru
E vende mungunzá
Vende umbú

No tabuleiro tem
Oi tem de tudo tem
E só não tem meu bem
Berenguendem
Ai, ai, ai, ai
Have you ever danced
In the tropics?
With that hazy lazy
Like, kind of crazy
Like South American way

Ai, ai, ai, ai
Have you ever kissed
In the moon light
In the grand and glorious
Gay notorious
South American way

E vende vatapá
E vende caruru
E vende mungunzá
Vende umbú
No tabuleiro tem
Oi tem de tudo tem
E só não tem meu bem
Berenguendem

Ai, ai, ai, ai
É o canto do pregoneiro
Que com sua harmonia
Traz alegria
In South American way

Ai, ai, ai, ai
E o que traz em seu tabuleiro
Vende pra ioiô
E vende pra iaiá
In South American Way

Ai, ai, ai, ai

Ai, ai, ai, ai
South American way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Marisa Monte's song "South American Way" celebrate the vibrant culture and spirit of South America, specifically the street vendors who travel through the cities selling their wares. The opening lines pay respect to the queen of the radio, implying that the song is possibly an ode to the power of music and how it brings people together. The song describes the street vendor's harmonious call which brings joy to the people he meets. The chorus mentions the different types of food that the vendor is selling, such as vatapá, caruru, mungunzá, and umbú. These are popular dishes and fruits in Brazil and other South American countries.

The song shifts to a playful tone in the second verse asking if the listener has ever danced to the hazy lazy rhythm of the tropics or kissed under the moonlight, as if to transport the listener to South America and experience its laid-back lifestyle. The song ends with another chorus, emphasizing the joy and liveliness of the street vendors and their South American way. The lyrics overall celebrate the beauty, music, and culture of South America through the image of the street vendors.

Line by Line Meaning

Salve salve as rainha do rádio
Greetings to the queen of the radio

Ai, ai, ai, ai
Expression of excitement or emotion

É o canto do pregoneiro
It's the song of the street vendor

Que com sua harmonia
Who, with their melody

Traz alegria
Brings joy

In South American way
In the way that is typical of South America

E o que traz em seu tabuleiro
And what he brings in his cart

Vende pra ioiô
Sells to the boys

E vende pra iaiá
And sells to the girls

E vende vatapá
And sells vatapá

E vende caruru
And sells caruru