Mas Que Nada
Sergio_Mendes_and_Brasil_66 Lyrics


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Oriá 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 tão legal
Você não vai querer
Que eu chegue no final





Oriá raiô
Obá Obá Obá

Overall Meaning

The song "Mas que nada" by Sergio Mendes ft The Black Eyed Peas is a lively song about dancing and having a good time. The lyrics are in Portuguese, but the overall meaning is clear: the singer wants to dance and have fun, and he doesn't want anyone to stand in his way. The chorus, "Mas que nada, sai da minha frente, eu quero passar," translates to "But what? Get out of my way, I want to pass," and reflects the singer's determination to enjoy himself and the music.


The song also references Afro-Brazilian musical traditions, particularly the maracatu rhythms of northeast Brazil and the preto velho ("old black man") style of samba that developed in Rio de Janeiro's favelas. The mix of these different styles creates a unique sound that is both energetic and soulful. The repetitive nature of the lyrics and the driving beat of the song add to its infectious quality and make it a classic party anthem.


Overall, "Mas que nada" is a celebration of Brazilian culture and music, and a testament to the power of dance to bring people together and transcend language barriers.


Line by Line Meaning

Oriá raiô
A phrase in Yoruba language commonly used in Afro-Brazilian religions as a greeting or blessing


Obá Obá Obá
A phrase used to express enthusiasm and joy, similar to 'oh yeah!' or 'woo hoo!'


Mas que nada
But that's nothing/whatsoever


Sai da minha frente
Get out of my way


Eu quero passar
I want to go through


Pois o samba está animado
Because the samba is lively


O que eu quero é sambar
What I want is to dance samba


Este samba
This samba


Que é misto de maracatu
That is a mix of maracatu, a traditional rhythm from Northeast Brazil


É samba de preto velho
It's a samba of 'preto velho', an affectionate term for old black people


Samba de preto tu
It's your samba, old black man


Um samba como esse tão legal
A samba as cool as this one


Você não vai querer
You won't want


Que eu chegue no final
Me to arrive at the end


Oriá raiô
A phrase in Yoruba language commonly used in Afro-Brazilian religions as a greeting or blessing


Obá Obá Obá
A phrase used to express enthusiasm and joy, similar to 'oh yeah!' or 'woo hoo!'




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JORGE LIMA MENEZES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tomvalveede6808

I fell in love with Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66 as a teenager and have all of his Beautiful Albums! I listened to them
Incessantly while growing up and was Lucky to have Front row seats when they came to
Kansas City.
As a "Security" guard admired the ladies at the end, l snuck in behind him, onto the Stage.
I was in heaven! I spoke with
Sergio and Lani and everyone and got all of their Autographs.
I heard the security guard tell my Mom, "No one gets past me
lady!" and l said, "Mom, I'm back here!" Sergio told him to let All of my family in!
A night l have Never Forgotten!
The Best! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️😃



All comments from YouTube:

@genericinternetmale14

If your film is set in Brazil (especially in Rio) you must have this song in the opening establishing shots. It's the law.

@lunalgaleo1991

Well, there's a movie by Blue Sky that has this, although it's closer to the middle. I'm sure you've heard of it. It's called Rio.

@michael198427

THE LAW YUP👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😎

@juanitalugo

like american fils and the usa flag

@dc10fomin65

Yes it's important to establish a country's sort of identifiable music and sound, Brazilian sounds are clear and lasting, so tell me, what would be the "now" American identifiable sound or rhythm ? rock and roll, popular, jive talking, wrap music, what? America has lost it's identity in everything including music!

@genericinternetmale14

@@dc10fomin65 probably some auto-tuned garbage full of profanity

9 More Replies...

@davidderitis9068

My dad played this record a lot when I was very little: he was Italian and just loved any kind of music, so long as it was good. This song reminds me of him and I have my mom and dad to thank for their appreciation of great music like this; so blessed to grow up in a musical family !

@wakkinem9022

This is the Mas Que Nada I know of. First listened to this when I was 12 years old. I am 63 now but still loving it.

@peeweebarney

To Wak Kinem: Same here, but I am a year older than you.

@fevralchetrn9473

peeweebarney I’m 150 old now

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