Cugat was born Francisco de Asis Javier Cugat Mingall de Bru y Deulofeo in Girona, Spain. His family immigrated to Cuba when he was five. He trained as a classical violinist and played with the Orchestra of the Teatro Nacional in Havana.
Sometime between 1915 and 1918, Cugat moved to New York, where he played with a band called "The Gigolos" during the tango craze. Later, he went to work for the Los Angeles Times as a cartoonist (Cugat's caricatures were later nationally syndicated).
In the late 1920s, when sound began to be used in films, Cugat put together a tango band that had some success in early short musical films. By the early 1930s, he began appearing with his group in feature films. Cugat took his band to New York to open the new Waldorf Astoria Hotel and it became the hotel's resident group.
He shuttled between New York and Los Angeles for most of the next thirty years, alternating hotel and radio dates with movie appearances.
In 1940, he recorded the song Perfidia with singer Miguelito Valdés which became a big hit. Cugat followed trends closely, making records for the conga, the mambo, the cha-cha-cha, and the twist when each were in fashion.
His first marriage in 1952 was to singer, Abbe Lane, they performed together until they divorced in 1964. He married salsa dancer Charo on August 7, 1966; the two were the first couple to marry in the newly opened Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Cugat did not lose sleep over artistic compromises: "I would rather play
Chiquita Banana and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve."
Cugat died of heart failure at age 90 in Barcelona, in his native province of Catalonia, Spain.
Brazil
Xavier Cugat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We stood beneath an amber moon
And softly murmured "someday soon."
We kissed and clung together,
Then, tomorrow was another day
The morning found me miles away
With still a million things to say;
Recalling thrills of our love,
There's one thing I'm certain of
Return I will to old Brazil
The lyrics to Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra's song Brazil is about reminiscing on a past love in Brazil. The song starts with the line "Brazil, where hearts were entertaining June" which sets the scene in Brazil during the summer month of June when the singer was with their lover. The second line "We stood beneath an amber moon" paints a romantic and intimate picture of the couple under the moonlight. They whisper to each other "someday soon" which shows their future plans of being together. They kiss and cling to each other, but unfortunately, the next day the singer has to leave Brazil and their lover behind. The morning after leaves them with "still a million things to say."
The song then moves to the present moment where the singer is reminiscing about the past love. As twilight dims the sky above, they recall the thrills of their love and sing "Return I will to old Brazil," indicating their desire to go back to Brazil to be with their lover again. The song is romantic and nostalgic, capturing the idea of a love left behind in a beautiful and exotic location.
Line by Line Meaning
Brazil, where hearts were entertaining June,
Brazil, the place where people were falling in love and having a great time during the month of June.
We stood beneath an amber moon
We were standing together under the light of a full moon, which cast an amber glow around us.
And softly murmured 'someday soon.'
We whispered to each other with gentle voices that we would be together again soon.
We kissed and clung together,
We embraced each other tightly, kissing and holding each other close.
Then, tomorrow was another day
Despite our affection for each other, we knew that we had to face the realities of the following day and the challenges that it would bring.
The morning found me miles away
When I woke up the next morning, I realized that I had traveled far away from Brazil, where I had experienced such joy and love.
With still a million things to say;
Even though I left Brazil, I still had so much to tell my lover and so many emotions to convey.
Now, when twilight dims the sky above
Years later, as the sun sets and darkness begins to settle in, I find myself remembering the time I spent in Brazil and the love I shared there.
Recalling thrills of our love,
I think back on the excitement and adventure of our passionate relationship.
There's one thing I'm certain of
Through all the ups and downs of my life, there is one thing that I know for sure.
Return I will to old Brazil
I will definitely go back to Brazil someday, to relive the memories of the love that was shared there.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Ary Barroso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@larnakeane8940
Even as a very young kid I loved big band sound.
@scotnick59
That is because it's GREAT!
@user-jk7dh2rw3k
I absolutely love this!
@luvbasses5487
James Last Orchestra tagged this tune up with another tune called I Can’t Give You Anything. It’s absolutely WONDERFUL. Please check it out.
@jodyhakala247
What Great quality music!! I’m loving it now 2021
@GILSONSFCRUZ
Música maravilhosa!
@tango_doggy
Big band with choir is the perfect combination!!
@MartellMedia2
Thanks for reupload this, this is perfection.
@habiibqawiy7884
Love the movie Brazil (1985) as well! 😎
@ihigvererdsds593
This version was used in the official trailer but not in the final film.