Desafinado
Stan Getz/Charlie Byrd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saiba que isso em mim provoca imensa dor
Só privilegiados têm ouvido igual ao seu
Eu possuo apenas o que Deus me deu
Se você insisted em classificar
meu comportamento de antimusical
Eu mesmo mentindo Devo argumentar
O que você não sabe nem sequer pressente
é que os desafinados também têm um coração
Fotografei você na minha Rolleyflex
Revelou-se a sua enorme ingratidão
Só não poderá falar assim do meu amor
Este é o maior que você pode encontrar
Você com a sua música esqueceu o principal
é que no peito dos desafinados
No fundo do peito bate calado
Que no peito dos desafinados
também bate um coração
The lyrics of Desafinado are a beautiful and heartfelt exposition of the impact that criticism can have on an individual. The first stanza reveals the vulnerability and pain that stems from being criticized, particularly when it comes to one’s overt sensitivity in the area of music. The singer is being told that they have a terrible ear for music, and this is causing immense sorrow.
In the second stanza, the singer fights back against the criticism. Rather than accept the negative feedback, they argue that what they are doing is simply bossa nova and therefore entirely natural. They are inferring that their music style is truly authentic, and that their approach is not a deviation from the norm. The overarching argument is that even if they are desafinados, meaning tone deaf, they too have hearts that need to be considered.
This message is not just for artists but for everyone as we all have moments where we don’t quite meet what others perceive as their standards. The beauty of the song is the way it communicates a message of empathy and understanding, even to those who would demean and ostracize us. It is a reminder that we should all focus on the heart, rather than the superficial things that can cause conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Se você disser que eu desafino, amor
If you say that I sing out of tune, my love
Saiba que isso em mim provoca imensa dor
Know that this causes immense pain in me
Só privilegiados têm ouvido igual ao seu
Only the privileged have an ear like yours
Eu possuo apenas o que Deus me deu
I have only what God has given me
Se você insisted em classificar
If you insist on classifying
meu comportamento de antimusical
my behavior as unmusical
Eu mesmo mentindo Devo argumentar
Even if I have to lie, I must argue
Que isto é bossa nova Que isto é muito natural
That this is bossa nova, that this is very natural
O que você não sabe nem sequer pressente
What you don't know or even sense
é que os desafinados também têm um coração
is that the out of tune ones also have a heart
Fotografei você na minha Rolleyflex
I photographed you with my Rolleiflex
Revelou-se a sua enorme ingratidão
Your enormous ingratitude was revealed
Só não poderá falar assim do meu amor
You cannot speak like that about my love
Este é o maior que você pode encontrar
This is the greatest you can find
Você com a sua música esqueceu o principal
You, with your music, forgot the main thing
é que no peito dos desafinados
that in the hearts of the out of tune ones
No fundo do peito bate calado
Beats quietly in the depths of the heart
Que no peito dos desafinados
That in the hearts of the out of tune ones
também bate um coração
Also beats a heart
Lyrics © CORCOVADO MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM, NEWTON MENDONCA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Muzikman127
it's easier once you "get" the groove.
once you hear the dundum ch ch dundum ch ch dundum ch ch... everything else is just embellishment
it helps to hear some clips of samba grooves in isolation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85u364oY0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa3qtJE2wIo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN8j7KihXOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfoWB0NEjD4
@Bowwow30
I'm laying on my couch now, the balcony doors are open, the sun is shining and I can smell the spring. Somewhere in my houseblock one of my neighbours is playing Desafinado by Stan Getz. A great way to spend my Sunday afternoon and get happy.
@117raph
Boudewijn Smits
Cheers man
@bingo1232
Boudewijn Smits sounds like a mini vacation -- good for the soul!
@raysonkong
Boudewijn Smits you have high quality neighbors
@mizora6356
+Boudewijn Smits that was some chill you got there
@brandonturner6879
My neighbors listen to Lil' Wayne. Time to move in with you, man. lol
@johngreen6783
What a beautiful song. I listen to this and I’m transported to a different dimension. All my cares and worries just drift away.
@antonboludo8886
Exactly!
@RaptorFromWeegee
Like stepping off a Varig 707 into the warm breezes of Rio's Galeão Airport, circa 1965
@georgeberghorn5402
Found this tune on a jukebox at Shepard AFB in Texas in '72, was hooked on Jobim and bossa nova ever since. The best thing about this tune and other bossa tunes is that there is so much going on with the beat and at the same time it is cool and gentle. What a way to relax.