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.
Tristesse
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
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Pra eu falar do nosso amor
Que foi tão forte e ainda é
Mas cada um se foi
Quanta saudade brilha em mim
Se cada sonho é seu
Virou história em sua vida
Lembra, lembra, lembra, cada instante que passou
De cada perigo, da audácia do temor
Que sobrevivemos que cobrimos de emoção
Volta a pensar então
Sinto, penso, espero, fico tenso toda vez
Que nos encontramos, nos olhamos sem viver
Pára de fingir que não sou parte do seu mundo
Volta a pensar então
Como você pode pedir
The lyrics of "Tristesse" by Milton Nascimento speak about the remnants of a strong love that has now ended. The songwriter is asked to talk about their love, which was once very powerful but now there is only nostalgia left. The lyricist says that the memories of their love still shine within him and every dream is still connected to their love. Even though their love has become a part of their partner's past, it is still alive in the lyricist's heart.
The writer implores their partner to remember all of the moments that they shared together, both good and bad, and to revisit them with heartfelt emotion. The writer feels anxious and waits eagerly every time they meet and lock eyes. They plead with their partner not to pretend that they are not a part of each other's lives.
The lyrics draw out a feeling of melancholy, longing and the simple regret of a love that has ended. Through a slow, gentle tempo and somber tune, the song beautifully conveys the pain of separation and provides some solace in the memories that are still alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Como você pode pedir
How can you ask me
Pra eu falar do nosso amor
To talk about our love
Que foi tão forte e ainda é
Which was so strong and still is
Mas cada um se foi
But each one left
Quanta saudade brilha em mim
How much nostalgia shines in me
Se cada sonho é seu
If every dream is yours
Virou história em sua vida
It became history in your life
Mas prá mim não morreu
But for me, it didn't die
Lembra, lembra, lembra, cada instante que passou
Remember, remember, remember every moment that passed
De cada perigo, da audácia do temor
Of every danger, of daring and fear
Que sobrevivemos que cobrimos de emoção
That we survived, that we covered with emotion
Volta a pensar então
Think about it again
Sinto, penso, espero, fico tenso toda vez
I feel, I think, I hope, I get tense every time
Que nos encontramos, nos olhamos sem viver
That we meet, we look at each other without living
Pára de fingir que não sou parte do seu mundo
Stop pretending that I am not part of your world
Volta a pensar então
Think about it again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Telo Borges, Milton Nascimento
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind