Mais Que Nada
Sergio Mendes feat. Brazil '66 Lyrics
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Obá, obá, obá,
O (o, o, o, o,) ariá rai
Obá, Obá, Obá,
Mas que nada
Sai da minha frente eu quero passar
Pois o samba está animado
Este samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho
Samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Um samba como esse do legal
Você no vai querer
Que eu chegue no final
The lyrics of Sergio Mendes' hit song "Mas Que Nada" can be interpreted to describe the joyous energy and spirit of the samba dance, rooted in African rhythms and traditions. "O ariá rai" and "Obá, obá, obá" signify the call and response patterns prominent in African music, inviting listeners to join in and participate. The refrain "Mas que nada" translates to "but nothing" in Portuguese, and can be interpreted as a playful dismissal of any distractions or obstacles that may stand in the way of enjoying the moment and indulging in the dance.
The verses describe the joy and pride that come with the samba, highlighting its blended origins and the contribution of Afro-Brazilian culture. The blend of maracatu and samba rhythms acknowledge the mixed heritage of Brazilian music and its roots in both African and indigenous cultures. The reference to "preto velho" or "old black" samba dance suggests a reverence for the elder statesmen of the dance and their role in preserving and passing down the traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
O ariá rai
Vague and meaningless exclamation used to express excitement or joy.
Obá, obá, obá,
Another expression of excitement or joy, used in Brazilian Portuguese slang.
O (o, o, o, o,) ariá rai
Repetition of the meaningless exclamation from the first line, with slight variation.
Obá, Obá, Obá,
Repetition of the slang expression from the second line, with slight variation.
Mas que nada
But that's nothing, or That's nothing special.
Sai da minha frente eu quero passar
Get out of my way, I want to pass through.
Pois o samba está animado
Because the samba is lively and energetic.
O que eu quero é sambar
What I want to do is dance the samba.
Este samba que é misto de maracatu
This samba is a blend of maracatu, a traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythm.
É samba de preto velho
It's a samba played by old black men, with deep roots in Afro-Brazilian culture.
Samba de preto tu
Another way of emphasizing the African roots of this particular samba.
Um samba como esse do legal
A samba like this is awesome or cool.
Você no vai querer
You won't want to.
Que eu chegue no final
That I reach the end, or That I finish dancing.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JORGE LIMA MENEZES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️😃
@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
@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