Since taking out the US-based Harmony sweepstakes – becoming the first international group to take out the world’s largest open a cappella singing competition – The Idea of North has continued to go from strength to strength, capturing the attention of audiences, critics and industry colleagues.
Australian jazz legend James Morrison, who makes a guest appearance on Evidence playing on the Gershwin track But Not For Me, says they are “the best contemporary vocal group in the country”, and that “when you can sing & entertain like The Idea of North, a band would just get in the way!”
The Evidence track list includes covers of classic pop, jazz and gospel songs such as Isn't She Lovely, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, Corcovado, No More Blues, as well as stunning original tracks by original group member Trish Delaney-Brown, which herald her as an important young writing talent to emerge on the Australian music scene. Songs that appear on this album snared her nominations in three different categories in the Australian Songwriters Association Inc Awards.
Since recording Evidence, The Idea of North have recorded 'The Gospel Project' CD & 'Live at The Powerhouse' DVD, as well as producing an audio-only CD version of 'Live at The Powerhouse' .
Mas Que Nada
The Idea of North Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Obá obá obá
Oh ariá rió
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 come esse tão legal
Vocé não vai querer
Que eu chegue no final
Oh ariá rió
Obá obá obá
Oh ariá rió
Obá obá obá
(Scat)
Este samba que é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho
Samba de preto tu
Este samba que é misto maracatu
E samba de preto velho
Samba de preto tu
(Scat)
Vocé não vai querer
Que eu chegue no final
Oh ariá rió
Oh woah ariá rió
Oh ariá rió
Oh woah ariá rió
Oh ariá rió
É arió é arió E arió woo oh
É arió é arió é arió ba da da ba ba
É arió é arió é arió woo oh
É arió é arió é arió woo ah
É arió é arió é arió woo oh
É arió é arió é arió woo oh
É arió é arió é arió woo ah
É arió é arió é arió woo ah
É arió é arió é arió woo oh oh oh
Ba ba ba dah
The lyrics to The Idea of North's song Mas Que Nada are primarily in Portuguese, with some scatting towards the end. The song celebrates the joy and energy of samba music, with its fast pacing and up-tempo beats. The opening lyrics, "Oh ariá rió, Obá obá obá" create an immediate sense of excitement and anticipation, setting the tone for the rest of the song.
The main verses center around the line "Mas Que Nada," which roughly translates to "But That's Nothing" or "No Big Deal." The singer dismisses any obstacles in their way, telling them to move aside because they want to dance and enjoy the lively samba music. The following line, "Esse samba que é misto de maracatu," refers to the traditional rhythms of maracatu, a drumming ensemble from northeastern Brazil. The fusion of the two styles creates a unique sound that is described as "samba de preto velho," or "old black samba."
Overall, the lyrics to Mas Que Nada are celebratory and encouraging, inviting listeners to join in the energetic dance and music. The fusion of maracatu and samba styles creates a unique and exciting sound that is sure to get anyone up and dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh ariá rió
Chanting of a playful tune
Obá obá obá
Excitement, joy and celebration
Mas que Nada
More than nothing
Sai da minha frente eu quero passar
Move away, I want to dance to this lively samba
Pois o samba está animado
The samba is lively and spirited
O que eu quero é sambar
All I want is to dance the samba
Este samba que é misto de maracatu
This samba fuses elements of maracatu music
É samba de preto velho
It's a samba of the old black masters
Samba de preto tu
It's your black master's samba
Um samba come esse tão legal
A samba like this is so cool
Vocé não vai querer
You wouldn't want
Que eu chegue no final
Me to stop dancing when the song ends
Oh woah ariá rió
Repeating the playful tune
É arió é arió E arió woo oh
Repeating the same tune in playful fashion
Ba ba ba dah
Drum beats to keep rhythm
Writer(s): Jorge Ben
Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.