Mais Que Nada
Sérgio Mendes Lyrics


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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

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*

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sérgio Mendes's song "Mas que nada" are a mix of Portuguese and English. The repeated lines "Oariá raiô" and "Obá obá obá" are traditional Brazilian phrases often used in samba music to express joy and excitement. The verses sung by the Black Eyed Peas are in English and reference their own party-starting, genre-crossing style, as well as their admiration for Mendes and his blend of samba and jazz.


The music itself is a fusion of several Brazilian styles, including samba, maracatu, and preto velho (a type of traditional African Brazilian music). The song's rhythm is fast and upbeat, with a prominent piano riff that is both catchy and complex. In the Black Eyed Peas version, a modern hip hop beat is overlayed onto the original track.


The lyrics could be interpreted as a celebration of music's power to unify people across cultures and languages. The Black Eyed Peas and Mendes come from different backgrounds and genres, but their shared love for Brazilian music brings them together to create a unique and infectious song.



Line by Line Meaning

Oariá raiô
Celebratory chant in Brazilian Portuguese, expressing joy and exuberance


Obá obá obá
Another exclamation of excitement and happiness


Mas que nada
But that's nothing; a statement denying the importance of something in favor of what is to come


Black Eyed Peas came to make it hotter
The Black Eyed Peas are here to turn up the heat and elevate the energy of the crowd


We be the party starters
The Black Eyed Peas are known for their ability to get a party started


Bubblin' up just like lava, like lava
The energy of the group is building up rapidly and intensifying, like a volcano about to erupt


Heated like a sauna
The energy of the Black Eyed Peas is intense and hot, like a sauna


Penetrating through your body armor
The music of the Black Eyed Peas is so powerful that it can break through emotional barriers and connect with the listener on a deep level


Rhythmically we massage ya
The music and rhythm of the Black Eyed Peas has a soothing and relaxing effect on the listener


With hip hop mixed up with samba
The Black Eyed Peas combine hip hop and samba music to create a unique and exciting sound


You know we never stop we never rest, y'all
The Black Eyed Peas are constantly pushing forward and bringing the party to new heights


The Black Eyed Peas'll keep it funky fresh, y'all
The Black Eyed Peas will continue to bring fresh and exciting music to the party


And we won't stop until we get y'all, 'til we get y'all sayin'
The Black Eyed Peas are committed to winning over the crowd and getting everyone involved in the party


Peter Piper picked peppers
A reference to a famous tongue-twister


But Tab rocked rhymes-a
Tab (a member of the Black Eyed Peas) is a talented rapper


1, 2, 3, 4, several times-a
Tab is counting out a beat, indicating the rhythm of the song


Heavy rotation played by every kind-a
The music of the Black Eyed Peas is played on many different radio stations and heard by many different people


Radio stations blastin' every mind-a
The music of the Black Eyed Peas has a wide appeal and reaches many different people


We crossing boundaries like everyday
The Black Eyed Peas are breaking down barriers and bringing people together through their music


To rock ya body, Bobbie be on the R and the Bay
The Black Eyed Peas are dedicated to getting the crowd up and dancing, with a shout out to Bobby who is joining in from the R&B filled city of the Bay


We got we got Tab magnifications
Tab's skills as a rapper are amplified and enhanced by the group's collective talent


Tab magnified like every day
Tab's talent and influence continue to grow and make an impact in the music world


Drop hot hot be my daily operation
Producing and playing hot music is a daily priority for the Black Eyed Peas


Got to put in work in this crazy occupation
Making music is hard work, but it's worth it for the Black Eyed Peas


Gotta keep it movin' (that's the motivation)
They have to keep moving forward and creating music, and that's what keeps them going


Gotta ride the waves and keep a tight relation
The Black Eyed Peas need to adjust to changing circumstances and work well together as a team


With my team keep it moving, and doing it right
The Black Eyed Peas are dedicated to continuing to make great music with their team


Up in the lab every day 'til daylight
The Black Eyed Peas are constantly working on new music in the studio


That's the way things move in this monkey business
The music industry can be a chaotic and unpredictable business


(We took an old samba song and remixed it)
The Black Eyed Peas have taken a classic samba song and made it their own with a fresh remix


Sai da minha frente
Get out of my way


Que eu quero passar
I want to keep moving forward


Pois o samba esta animado
Because the samba is lively


O que eu quero e sambar
All I want to do is dance the samba


Este samba, que e misto de maracatu
This samba is a blend of maracatu


E samba de preto velho
And samba of the old blacks


Samba de preto tu
Samba of the black man


We gonna make you feel lil' hotter
The Black Eyed Peas pledge to heat up the dance floor and make everyone feel the music


The Peas and Sergio Mendes heating up samba
The Black Eyed Peas and Sergio Mendes are combining their talents to create an exciting and fresh take on samba music


Sergio, play yo piano
A call for Sergio Mendes to showcase his talent on the piano


(Oh eh oh) Sergio, play yo yo yo yo yo
A joyful and celebratory chant to encourage Sergio to keep playing


Check it out!
A call to the audience to listen closely and enjoy the music


Ba badada ba
A catchy and upbeat instrumental refrain




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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