Short bios
Stan Getz (born Stanley Gayetzky February 2, 1927 in Philadelphia - died June 6, 1991 in Malibu, California) was an American jazz musician. He is considered one of the greatest tenor saxophone players of all time.
João Gilberto (born João Gilberto Prado Pereira de Oliveira on June 10, 1931 in the town of Juazeiro, Bahia - died 6 July 2019 (aged 88) in Rio de Janeiro, RJ)) was a Brazilian musician and considered one of the co-creators of bossa nova.
Astrud Gilberto (born Astrud Weinert, the daughter of a Brazilian mother and a German father, on March 30, 1940, in Bahia, Brazil) is a Brazilian singer known for her samba and bossa nova music, including the Grammy Award-winning song "The Girl from Ipanema".
Antônio Carlos Jobim (born in January 25, 1927 in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro - died 8 December 1994 (aged 67) in New York, NY), also known as Tom Jobim, was a Brazilian songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, pianist and guitarist. He was a primary force behind the creation of the bossa nova style.
Para Machucar Meu Coração
Stan Getz & João Gilberto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que o nosso lar desmoronou
Meu sabiá, meu violão
E uma cruel desilusão
Foi tudo que ficou
Ficou
Pra machucar meu coração
Melhor pra você e melhor pra mim
A vida é uma escola
Que a gente precisa aprender
A ciência de viver pra não sofrer
"Para machucar meu coração" is a song about heartbreak and how it can leave one feeling empty and shattered. The lyrics start by saying that it has been a year and a half since the couple's home fell apart. The singer only has their sabiá bird, their guitar and a cruel disappointment left, which are all they have to remind them of the love they once had. The phrase "ficou pra machucar meu coração" (remained to hurt my heart) suggests that the memories of their past love, as well as the mundane reminders like the performer's bird and guitar, are constantly taking an emotional toll on them.
However, in the second verse, the singer questions whether it was actually better that their relationship ended. They acknowledge that life is a school where we all have to learn to live in order not to suffer, and perhaps the breakup was a positive lesson for them both. "Para machucar meu coração" reflects on the different perspectives one can have after a traumatic event and how the memories of a lost love can stay with someone for a long time.
Overall, "Para machucar meu coração" can be interpreted as a testament to love's ability to both elate and devastate, and how the memories of a broken heart can leave a haunting impression on an individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Ta fazendo um ano e meio, amor
It’s been a year and a half, my love
Que o nosso lar desmoronou
Since our home collapsed
Meu sabiá, meu violão
My sabia, my guitar
E uma cruel desilusão
And a cruel disillusionment
Foi tudo que ficou
That was all that remained
Ficou
Remained
Pra machucar meu coração
To hurt my heart
Quem sabe, não foi bem melhor assim
Who knows, maybe it was better this way
Melhor pra você e melhor pra mim
Better for you and better for me
A vida é uma escola
Life is a school
Que a gente precisa aprender
That we need to learn
A ciência de viver pra não sofrer
The science of living to avoid suffering
Contributed by Asher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@botjao
Translation:
To hurt my heart
It's been a year and a half, love
That our home collapsed
My bird, my guitar
And a cruel disillusionment
It was all that stayed
Stayed,
To hurt my heart (2x)
Who knows, if it was much better this way
Better for you and better for me
Life is a school where people need to learn
The science of living to not suffer
@adam3d851
This by far is the most beautifully executed piece of music ever created by the Getz and Gilberto in my opinion.
@aguaguadro7687
tipo, fds, seu gringo
@lucas124578895623
Idem... It's true
@vibraharp226
I agree. While other songs on the album are beautiful, and far more well-known, (Ipanema, Corcovado, Desafinado) this is achingly sublime. It is tender and heartfelt, and has a beautifully-crafted series of chord changes. It's a masterpiece of a love song.
@martindalmasi5340
Yes
@antoniopedrotourinho2284
You are absolutely correct.
@waynestone9154
Soy cubano. Músico y viejo. Este tema en mi humilde opinión es PERFECTO. El solo de Stan el más hermoso que he escuchado en mis 67 añitos. Gracias Brasil!
@philmoncel2150
Perfecto, hermoso
@fireflyqueen6
I remember buying this album when I was still in my teens. The sounds have always been an incredible draw -- and the language, Portuguese is THE language of song in my opinion. It slides, bends with a grace that's makes the heart dance. Perfection. And, let me add my sorrow regarding the passing of João Gilberto. An amazing musician.
@brauliocavalcanti3703
Thanks and my appraisal for the elegant comment