Mais Que Nada
Mendes Sergio & Brasil '66 Lyrics
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Obá Obá Obá
Mas que nada
Sai da minha frente
Eu quero passar
Pois o samba está animado
O que eu quero é sambar
Este samba
É samba de preto velho
Samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Um samba como esse é tão legal
Você não vai querer
Que ele chegue no final
Oariá raiô*
Obá Obá Obá*
Mas que nada*
Sai da minha frente*
Eu quero passar*
Pois o samba está animado*
O que eu quero é sambar*
Este samba*
Que é misto de maracatu*
É samba de preto velho*
Samba de preto tu*
Mas que nada*
Um samba como esse é tão legal*
Você não vai querer*
Que ele chegue no final*
Obá Obá Obá*
Obá Obá Obá*
Obá Obá Obá*
The lyrics of "Mais Que Nada" by Mendes Sergio are sung in Portuguese and describe the lively atmosphere of a samba party. The phrase "Mais Que Nada" translates to "More Than Anything" or "No Way" and is a common expression in Brazilian Portuguese. The song talks about the joy of dancing samba, represented by the repetitive chant of "Obá Obá Obá," calling people to join in the festivities. The singer asks for people to get out of their way as they are eager to dance and enjoy the lively samba rhythms. The lyrics also make references to other Afro-Brazilian musical styles like maracatu and the black ancestors who created samba, which is a significant cultural element of Brazil.
The repetition of "Oariá raiô," a Yoruba word, is one of the most distinctive features of the song. It is believed to be an African spiritual chant that was brought to Brazil during the slave trade era. The song's composer, Jorge Ben Jor, used the chant to pay homage to the African roots of Brazilian music. "Mais Que Nada" became a hit in 1963, marking a significant moment for Brazilian music and bringing international attention to the country's musical culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Oariá raiô
A joyful expression or chant often used in Afro-Brazilian music
Obá Obá Obá
An exclamation of excitement, similar to 'yeah yeah yeah'
Mas que nada
But that's nothing / That's not important
Sai da minha frente
Get out of my way
Eu quero passar
I want to pass
Pois o samba está animado
Because the samba is lively
O que eu quero é sambar
What I want is to dance samba
Este samba
This samba
Que é misto de maracatu
Which is a mixture of maracatu (a traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythm) and samba
É samba de preto velho
It's samba played by old black men, often with spiritual or religious connections
Samba de preto tu
You're also playing samba like the old black men
Mas que nada
But that's nothing / That's not important
Um samba como esse é tão legal
A samba like this is so cool / great
Você não vai querer
You won't want
Que ele chegue no final
For it to end / finish
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielmcdevitt8708
First date I ever took a young lady I met was to see Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 in 1970. Well, it worked and we got married in 1972 and are still married. Thanks, Sergio...
@TheBlizzardcat
Daniel McDevitt congratulations to you and yours. Great music.
@russellhueners8499
Fantastic story, you are one lucky fella!
@rulliputra6072
goosebump , ur so lucky
@broadcasttttable
lol...about the same year on a first date with a then- recent acquaintance I took her to see Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls at the Hollywood Bowl. Soon after another guy took her to see Sergio Mendes...he ended up with her. Thanks a lot, Sergio!
@Danceofthesugarplumfairy
Goals!!!!! ❤️
@imbees2
this was one of my favorite songs, as a teenager. Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 was the bomb. Today in 2023, I still love Sergio Mendes
@GB-ho2wk
110% ! And out of all the songs I have loved this is the one song that pops into my head THE MOST OFTEN from out of nowhere when I am just walking along. Mas que nada indeed !
@alexforest1
I feel the same.
@pablodanielescobarwolf5438
Fine and beautiful 60s tune !