Milton Nascimento (born 26 October, 1942) is a Brazilian songwriter, singer… Read Full Bio ↴Milton Nascimento (born 26 October, 1942) is a Brazilian songwriter, singer, and guitarist, who is considered one of the foremost icons of Brazilian popular music. His work spans a multitude of genres, from contemporary folk to jazz, and is often rooted in the traditional and indigenous music of the country.

Nascimento was born in Rio de Janeiro, and grew up in Três Pontas, Minas Gerais. His mother was the maid Maria do Carmo Nascimento. When he was just a few months old, the boy was adopted by the family for whom his mother had previously worked: the couple Josino Brito Campos (a banker, mathematics teacher and electronic technician) and Lília Silva Campos (a music teacher). He lived in the boroughs of Laranjeiras and Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro. When he was 18 months old, his biological mother died and he moved with his adoptive parents to the city of Três Pontas, in the State of Minas Gerais.

In the earlier stages of his career, Nascimento played in two samba groups, Evolussamba and Sambacana. In 1963 he moved to Belo Horizonte, and his friendship with the Borges brothers (Marilton, Márcio e Lô Borges) led to the Clube da Esquina ("corner club") movement. Other members included Beto Guedes, Toninho Horta, Wagner Tiso, and Flavio Venturini.

Nascimento is famous for his chime-clear falsetto and tonal range, as well for highly acclaimed songs such as "Canção da América" ("Song from America") and "Coração de Estudante" ("Student's Heart"). The lyrics of "Coração de Estudante" remembers the funeral of the student Edson Luís, killed by police officers in 1968. The song became the hymn for the diretas Já campaign in 1984 and it was also played in the funeral of the late president Tancredo Neves the next year, who died before assuming the presidency.

While his reputation within Brazil was firmly established with his Clube da Esquina works, Nascimento's international breakthrough came with his appearance on jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter's 1974 album "Native Dancer". This led to widespread acclaim, and collaborations with American stars such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Pat Metheny.

Through his friendship with guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, Nascimento came to work with the pop-rock band Duran Duran in 1993. Nascimento co-wrote and performed (in the Portuguese language) the song "Breath After Breath", featured on the band's 1993 album "Duran Duran". He also performed with the band in concert when they toured in Brazil, in support of that album. Nascimento earned a Grammy award for "Best World Music Album" in 1998 for his album "Nascimento", and was also nominated in 1991 and 1995.

Raras Maneiras
Milton Nascimento Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Juro do jeito mais sincero
Quero fazer você provar
Esse meu sonho de águas claras
Raras maneiras de me dar
Quero beber, tomar na cara
Tudo que pode acontecer
Entre as duas criaturas nuas
Deixa rolar a noite inteira

Fibra de nossos corações
Gosto, semente, mravilha pura
E tudo que a vida pintou
De sol
Na alma de nós dois
Amanhã
Será do jeito que Deus quiser
Pode sumir sem dizer adeus
O sentimento que foi valeu
Pode falar
Bem ou mal
Foi um tesouro no chão do mar
Jeito gostoso de te perder
Foi um desejo demais

Mania de ser feliz
E foi com você

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Milton Nascimento's song Raras Maneiras describe the desire to experience a pure and beautiful love that is rare and unique, symbolized by the dream of clear waters. The singer wants to explore all the possibilities that can happen between two naked creatures and wants to experience the pure joy and wonder of life. The essence of their hearts and souls will be intertwined, creating a lasting and meaningful connection. The song is ultimately about the beauty of love and the way it can transform people's lives.

The lyrics are very poetic and use beautiful metaphors and imagery to describe the feelings of the singer. The use of the image of clear water, for example, is very effective in evoking a sense of purity and beauty. The use of the words "rare ways" and "pure wonder" also gives a sense of the uniqueness of the love they are experiencing.

Line by Line Meaning

Juro do jeito mais sincero
I swear in the most sincere way

Quero fazer você provar
I want you to experience

Esse meu sonho de águas claras
This dream of crystal clear waters I have

Raras maneiras de me dar
Rare ways to give yourself to me

Quero beber, tomar na cara
I want to drink, receive it fully

Tudo que pode acontecer
Everything that can happen

Entre as duas criaturas nuas
Between the two naked creatures

Deixa rolar a noite inteira
Let it flow all night long

Fibra de nossos corações
The strength of our hearts

Gosto, semente, mravilha pura
Taste, seed, pure wonder

E tudo que a vida pintou
And everything that life painted