When she was twelve, her father gave her a guitar since he was worried about her being shy. Popular musician and composer Patricio Teixeira and classical guitarist Solon Ayala were her teachers. While still a teenager, she met a number of singers and composers who took part of Bossa Nova's musical revolution, in late 50s and early 60s, including Roberto Menescal, Carlos Lyra, Ronaldo Bôscoli, João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos Jobim.
By 1963, after singing as an amateur for a few years, she became a professional and toured with Sergio Mendes. In the mid-1960s, the institution of military dictatorship in Brazil led her to sing increasingly political lyrics. Her show "Opinião" reflected her political beliefs and she had largely switched to political music by this point. In 1964, she even spoke against bossa nova as a movement, calling it "alienating". In 1968, being part of the Tropicália movement, she appeared on the album Tropicália: ou Panis et Circenses, performing "Lindonéia."
She later left Brazil for Paris and in the 1970s abandoned music to focus on her family. She returned to music later and when she discovered, in 1979, that she had an inoperable brain tumor she increased her productivity as much as possible. She died in 1989, leaving a great legacy behind her succesful years of career.
Maria Joana
Nara Leão Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nem batucada quem não tem um pandeiro
Não vive bem quem nunca teve dinheiro
Nem tem casa pra morar
Não cai na roda quem tem perna bamba
Não é de nada quem não é de samba
Não tem valor quem vive de muamba
Pra não ter que trabalhar
Porque eu não vou deixar a vida sem viver
Mas acontece que a Maria Joana
Acha que é pobre, mas nasceu pra bacana
Mora comigo, mesmo assim não me engana
Ela pensa em me deixar
Já decidiu que vai vencer na vida
Saiu de casa toda colorida
Levou dinheiro pra comprar comida
Mas não sei se vai voltar
Eu vou perguntar
Joana, o que aconteceu?
Dinheiro não faz você mais rica do que eu
The lyrics of Nara Leão's song "Maria Joana" are a social commentary on the economic disparity and challenges faced by individuals who come from humble backgrounds. The song begins by stating that one cannot perform magic without a designated space, nor can one play a percussion instrument without having one in possession. Similarly, one cannot live well without having enough money and a place to call home. The lyrics also suggest that those who cannot dance the samba or have no value to offer to society are looked down upon. The singer of the song decides to find a way to not suffer in life and live it to the fullest.
However, despite the singer's determination, the song introduces a character named Maria Joana, who believes that she was born to be wealthy, despite living with the singer, who is presumably not as wealthy. She decides to leave and start a new life, hoping to become successful. The lyrics of the song suggest that money alone does not make a person richer or better than others.
Overall, the song Maria Joana speaks to the economic struggles and social stigma faced by individuals from less privileged backgrounds. The lyrics highlight that while financial stability is crucial, being content and happy with what one has is equally important.
Line by Line Meaning
Não faz feitiço quem não tem um terreiro
One cannot perform magic without a sacred space (terreiro)
Nem batucada quem não tem um pandeiro
One cannot play the samba without an instrument (pandeiro)
Não vive bem quem nunca teve dinheiro
Money is necessary for a good life
Nem tem casa pra morar
Without money, one may not have a place to live
Não cai na roda quem tem perna bamba
One cannot dance the samba without strong legs
Não é de nada quem não é de samba
One is nothing without knowing samba
Não tem valor quem vive de muamba
One cannot value living off of illegal goods (muamba)
Pra não ter que trabalhar
People resort to illegal activities to avoid working
Eu vou procurar um jeito de não padecer
One looks for a way to live without suffering
Porque eu não vou deixar a vida sem viver
One refuses to live life without joy
Mas acontece que a Maria Joana
However, there is a woman named Maria Joana
Acha que é pobre, mas nasceu pra bacana
She believes she is poor, but was born for luxury
Mora comigo, mesmo assim não me engana
She lives with me, but still hides her true self
Ela pensa em me deixar
She thinks about leaving me
Já decidiu que vai vencer na vida
She has decided to succeed in life
Saiu de casa toda colorida
She left home dressed in all bright colors
Levou dinheiro pra comprar comida
She took money to buy food
Mas não sei se vai voltar
But I don't know if she'll come back
Eu vou perguntar
I will ask her
Joana, o que aconteceu?
Joana, what happened?
Dinheiro não faz você mais rica do que eu
Money does not make you richer than me
Contributed by Sophie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Flavia Crespo
Só uma observação: "Vento de Maio" é de 1967.
Isabella Grandi
Não faz feitiço quem não tem um terreiro
Nem batucada quem não tem um pandeiro
Não vive bem quem nunca teve dinheiro
Nem tem casa pra morar... (tem Marias e Mários tb! Grata pela partilha!)
Eduardo Monteiro
Ñara me fais lembra a bamda e seu geito de menina que saudade dos anos 60 ate 80
Isaac James
alguém ouvindo em 2021?