Desafinado
Stan Getz (tenor sax) Lyrics


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Se você disser que eu desafino, amor
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 insiste em classificar
Meu comportamento de antimusical
Eu mesmo mentindo devo argumentar
Que isto é bossa nova, que isto é muito natural

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
Ele é o maior que você pode encontrar, viu?

Você com a sua música esqueceu o principal
Que no peito dos desafinados
No fundo do peito bate calado




No peito dos desafinados
Também bate um coração

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Desafinado by Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto speaks about the personal pain caused by the criticism of someone's singing ability. In the first stanza, the singer explains that if his beloved tells him that he sings out of tune, it causes him immense pain. He notes that only a few people like his beloved have such an excellent ear for music, while he only possesses the talent that God gave him. In the second stanza, the singer takes on a defensive stance in response to his beloved's criticism. He tells her that labeling his music as anti-musical is a misunderstanding because that is what Bossa Nova is all about, and it is a natural aspect of the genre. He emphasizes that being a "desafinado" (out of tune) does not mean one has no heart, as they too possess a heart that beats just like anyone else. In the final stanza, the singer acknowledges that despite feeling hurt by his beloved's criticism, his love for her remains unconditional, and his heart beats deep and silently in his chest, just like that of the "desafinados."


The song's underlying message is that musical talent should not be the only yardstick for judging people's worthiness, as everyone possesses unique talents and abilities. The lyricist is encouraging self-acceptance and self-love, despite flaws or perceived inadequacies.


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 privileged ones have ears like yours


Eu possuo apenas o que Deus me deu
I only have what God gave me


Se você insiste em classificar
If you insist on classifying


Meu comportamento de antimusical
My behavior as anti-musical


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 suspect


É que os desafinados também têm um coração
Is that the out of tune also have a heart


Fotografei você na minha Rolleyflex
I photographed you with my Rolleyflex


Revelou-se a sua enorme ingratidão
Your enormous ingratitude was revealed


Só não poderá falar assim do meu amor
You can't speak like that about my love


Ele é o maior que você pode encontrar, viu?
He is the greatest you can find, you know?


Você com a sua música esqueceu o principal
You, with your music forgot the main thing


Que no peito dos desafinados
That in the heart of the out of tune


No fundo do peito bate calado
Silently beats deep down


No peito dos desafinados
In the heart of the out of tune


Também bate um coração
There also beats a heart




Lyrics © CORCOVADO MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM, NEWTON MENDONCA

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

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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

12 More Replies...

@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.

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