Hip cats who’ve been bopping to acid jazz, sipping to bossa lounge, swaying… Read Full Bio ↴Hip cats who’ve been bopping to acid jazz, sipping to bossa lounge, swaying their organic groove thangs to world-inflected dance music have already been dazzled by Parisian-based Brazilian chanteuse Salomé de Bahia. And chances are if you are one of the lucky who know of her, it’s via the international club hit, “Outro Lugar”—her glorious Brazilian cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Another Star”. This and fourteen other songs make up “Brasil,” the sunny, celebratory North American (Yellow Productions Recordings/Tommy Boy Entertainent) debut album by Salomé de Bahia.

Brasil” is a cachaza-kissed carnival of bossa nova, samba, salsa, mambo and contemporary club music. Brazilian classics “Fio Maravilha,” “Lanca Perfume” “Voce Abuso” “Pais Tropical,” “Fiesta Para Um Rei Negro” and “Brigitte Bardot” mix beautifully with house-infused club tracks like “Taj Mahal,” “Outro Lugar,” (Tony Moran remixes to be released this summer) “Cada Vez” and “Copacabana” (yes, that “Copa-cabana,” but in Portugese!). Though not a live album, Salomé adds her own personal touch, dropping in brief comments (“Music is my life!”) or a rousing intro to the next song (“Do you feel alright?!”)

Although France is officially celebrating “The Year of Brazil” from March through December of 2005 (and what better time to release “Brasil”?) Parisian producer Bob Sinclar (and his label Yellow Productions) fell in love with Salomé de Bahia over eleven years ago when he discovered her singing at Chez Felix, a famous Parisian jazz cabaret. (For over ten years she was the star of “Brazil Tropical”—a review led by bandleader Edvaldo Carneiro—a show which featured forty musicians, singers and dancers performing music rooted in the Bahia region of Brazil.)

Salomé was perfect for—and soon featured on—“Psychodelico” the first album by Sinclar-produced Brazilian-influenced acid jazz group, The Reminiscence Quartet. The collective toured the international acid jazz scene, opening for Brooklyn Funk Essentials’ first Parisian show, appearing at the Jazz Bop festival in Brighton (with Giles Peterson) and performing with jazz legend Tania Maria.

Additional productions followed including an early version of “Outro Lugar,” exotic club single “Tormento de Amor” (on the first “Africanism” album) and her first album to be produced by Bob Sinclar, “Cabaret.” Last year Salomé recorded a cover of “Taj Mahal,” originally written by longtime Brazilian music star, Jorge Ben. The song, which appears on “Brasil,” is a personal favorite, as it reminds her of the neighborhood of her youth, Salvador in Bahia, where she first began making records in 1958.

One look at the gowns, the feathered headdresses, the wise smile and reflexively the diva label pops up. But to call Salome de Bahia a diva is to sell short a woman who’s voice, joy, and passion radiate so much more. Sure to be a hit at any summer party, bring it like a caipirinha: pop in a little Salomé in your player and take ‘em to “Brasil!”

País Tropical
Salomé de Bahia Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Moro!
Num País Tropical
Abençoado por Deus
E bonito por natureza
(Mas que beleza!)
Em fevereiro (Em fevereiro!)
Tem carnaval (Tem carnaval!)
Eu tenho um fusca e um violão

Sou Flamengo, tenho uma nêga
Chamada Tereza...

Sambaby, Sambaby
Sou um menino
De mentalidade mediana
(Pois é!)
Mas assim mesmo feliz da vida
Pois eu não devo nada a ninguém
(Pois é!)
Pois eu sou feliz
Muito feliz, comigo mesmo...

Moro!
Num País Tropical
Abençoado por Deus
E bonito por natureza
(Mas que beleza!)
Em fevereiro (Em fevereiro!)
Tem carnaval (Tem carnaval!)
Eu tenho um fusca e um violão
Sou Flamengo, tenho uma nêga
Chamada Tereza...

Sambaby, Sambaby!
Eu posso não ser
Um Band Leader
(Pois é!)
Mas assim mesmo lá em casa
Todos meus amigos
Meus camaradinhas
Me respeitam
(Pois é!)
Essa é a razão da simpatia
Do poder, do algo mais
E da alegria...

Moro!
Num País Tropical
Abençoado por Deus
E bonito por natureza
(Mas que beleza!)
Em fevereiro (Em fevereiro!)
Tem carnaval (Tem carnaval!)
Eu tenho um fusca e um violão
Sou Flamengo, tenho uma nêga
Chamada Tereza...

Mó!
Num Pá Tropí!
Abençoá por Dê!
E Boní por Naturê!
(Mas que Belê!)
Em Feverê! (Em Feverê!)
Tem Carná! (Tem Carná)
Eu tenho um Fú! e um Viô!...

Sou Flamê, tê uma Nê
Chamá Terê...(2x)

Eu sou Flamê, tê uma Nê
Chamá Terê...(3x)
Do meu Brasil!

Moro!
Num País Tropical
Abençoado por Deus
E bonito por natureza
(Mas que beleza!)
Em fevereiro (Em fevereiro!)
Tem carnaval (Tem carnaval!)
Eu tenho um fusca e um violão
Sou Flamengo, tenho uma nêga
Chamada Tereza...

Moro!
Num País Tropical, Bi! Bi!
Abençoado por Deus
E bonito por natureza
(Mas que beleza!)
Em fevereiro (Em fevereiro!)
Tem carnaval (Tem carnaval!)
Eu tenho um fusca e um violão
Sou Flamengo e tenho uma nêga
Chamada Tereza...(2x)

Sou Flamengo, e tenho uma nêga
Chamada Tereza...(7x)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Salomé de Bahia's song "Pais Tropical" express the joy, pride, and happiness of living in Brazil, which is a tropical country blessed by nature and God. The singer feels content and fulfilled with his life, despite acknowledging he has a moderate mentality. The lyrics speak of the singer's possessions, such as his Volkswagen Beetle and guitar and his love for his girlfriend, Tereza. He also proudly states that he supports the soccer team Flamengo. The song references the country's famous Carnaval, which takes place in February, and it is a time for celebration, dancing, and vibrant energy.

The chorus repeats throughout the song, which emphasizes the beauty of Brazil and the happiness the singer feels. The use of the Portuguese language and rhyme scheme creates a musical and poetic quality to the song. The lyrics evoke a sense of national pride and love for one's country and culture, which is a recurring theme in Brazilian music. Overall, the song is an upbeat and lively celebration of being Brazilian and living in a beautiful tropical country.

Line by Line Meaning

Moro!
I live!

Num País Tropical
In a tropical country

Abençoado por Deus
Blessed by God

E bonito por natureza
And naturally beautiful

(Mas que beleza!)
(What beauty!)

Em fevereiro (Em fevereiro!)
In February (In February!)

Tem carnaval (Tem carnaval!)
There's Carnival (There's Carnival!)

Eu tenho um fusca e um violão
I have a Beetle and a guitar

Sou Flamengo, tenho uma nêga Chamada Tereza...
I'm a Flamengo fan, and I have a girl named Tereza...

Sambaby, Sambaby
Sambaby, Sambaby

Sou um menino
I'm a boy