Mas Que Nada
Sergio Mendes Brasil 66 Lyrics
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Obá obá obá
Oriá raiô
Obá obá obá
Mas que nada
Sai da minha frente eu quero passar
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
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
Oriá raiô
Obá obá obá
Obá obá obá
Obá obá obá
Obá obá obá
Obá obá obá
The lyrics to "Mas Que Nada" are in Portuguese, and roughly translate to "But That's Nothing". The song itself is a samba, and the lyrics are celebratory in nature. The song begins with the repetitive line "Oriá raiô, Obá obá obá", which is believed to be borrowed from the Afro-Brazilian religion of Candomblé. The phrase is used as a form of greeting and celebration in Candomblé and is meant to symbolize the arrival of a deity or spirit.
The first verse of the song follows, with the singer proclaiming "Mas que nada, sai da minha frente eu quero passar" ("But that's nothing, get out of my way, I want to pass"). The lyrics then go on to describe the joyful and lively nature of the samba music that is being played, which is a fusion of the traditional Brazilian rhythm of maracatu with the African rhythms brought over by enslaved people. The song celebrates the power of rhythm and dance, and the freedom and joy that comes with it.
Overall, "Mas Que Nada" is a fun and upbeat song about the power of music and dance to bring people together and create joy. The lyrics are simple, but the song is catchy and has become a classic in Brazilian music.
Line by Line Meaning
Oriá raiô
A phrase with no direct translation, but possibly referencing the Orixa deities of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé.
Obá obá obá
A rhythmic chant used to keep time during the song.
Mas que nada
But oh well, nevermind
Sai da minha frente eu quero passar
Get out of my way, I want to pass
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 que é misto de maracatu
This samba is a mix of maracatu
É samba de preto velho
It's a samba of the old black (people)
Samba de preto tu
Samba of (the) black (person)
Um samba como esse tão legal
A samba like this, so cool
Você não vai querer
You wouldn't want
Que eu chegue no final
Me to arrive at the end
Obá obá obá
A rhythmic chant used to keep time during the song.
Obá obá obá
A rhythmic chant used to keep time during the song.
Oriá raiô
A phrase with no direct translation, but possibly referencing the Orixa deities of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé.
Obá obá obá
A rhythmic chant used to keep time during the song.
Obá obá obá
A rhythmic chant used to keep time during the song.
Obá obá obá
A rhythmic chant used to keep time during the song.
Obá obá obá
A rhythmic chant used to keep time during the song.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JORGE LIMA MENEZES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielmcdevitt8708
First date I ever took a young lady I met was to see Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 in 1970. Well, it worked and we got married in 1972 and are still married. Thanks, Sergio...
@TheBlizzardcat
Daniel McDevitt congratulations to you and yours. Great music.
@russellhueners8499
Fantastic story, you are one lucky fella!
@rulliputra6072
goosebump , ur so lucky
@broadcasttttable
lol...about the same year on a first date with a then- recent acquaintance I took her to see Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls at the Hollywood Bowl. Soon after another guy took her to see Sergio Mendes...he ended up with her. Thanks a lot, Sergio!
@Danceofthesugarplumfairy
Goals!!!!! ❤️
@imbees2
this was one of my favorite songs, as a teenager. Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 was the bomb. Today in 2023, I still love Sergio Mendes
@GB-ho2wk
110% ! And out of all the songs I have loved this is the one song that pops into my head THE MOST OFTEN from out of nowhere when I am just walking along. Mas que nada indeed !
@alexforest1
I feel the same.
@pablodanielescobarwolf5438
Fine and beautiful 60s tune !