A roundup of great masterpieces and popular songs of Brazilian music

PENSAR EM VOCÊDaniela Mercury

DANIELA MERCURY – PENSAR EM VOCE

Daniela Mercury’s slightly husky, powerful voice shines here.

Although she’s also an outstanding dancer, this song—sung tenderly and from the heart—is one I’d like to dedicate to someone I truly love.

It’s a beautiful piece that makes you feel how loving someone can give you the courage to live.

Fool on the HillSergio Mendes & BRASIL’66

FOOL ON THE HILL – Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66

Included on Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66’s fourth album, this 1968 work is a cover of The Beatles.

By arranging a universally known song in bossa nova style, it created a sense of freshness and helped spread bossa nova around the world.

Manhã de CarnavalLuiz Bonfá

Manhã De Carnaval!

Among the works created by composer Luiz Bonfá and lyricist Antônio Maria, this is the most famous piece.

Its use in the Portuguese film Black Orpheus (1960) made it so well-known that it has been covered by numerous artists.

It’s a superb track featuring the crystal-clear vocals of Brazilian singer Elizete Cardoso.

Esperando na janelaGilberto Gil

Gilberto Gil – Esperando na Janela – DVD Fé na Festa ao vivo (2010)

This song by Gilberto Gil, who also served as Brazil’s Minister of Culture, lets you fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Brazil’s Northeast from the very intro.

The cheerful rhythm of the accordion and Gilberto’s distinctive, smile-tinged voice are sure to make anyone fall in love with it.

Mas Que NadaJorge Ben Jor

Jorge Ben Jor – Mas Que Nada

To be precise, it’s sometimes described as samba funk—a fusion of funk and samba—but the funk-tinged melodies layered over a samba rhythm make it an irresistibly pleasant track.

The fusion of samba with other genres seems to be widely loved even in Brazil, the home of samba.

Maria MariaMilton Nascimento

Milton Nascimento – Maria Maria

This song, which seems to sing of the archetypal strong yet supple Brazilian woman, is one of Milton Nascimento’s signature pieces, notable for his wide vocal range and rich, weighty voice.

It’s a track that fills you with energy just by listening, as if strength wells up inside you.

Burn it BlueCaetano Veloso

Caetano Veloso and Lila Downs – Burn It Blue

This duet by Caetano Veloso and Lila Downs is a famous song, said to be among the finest of Caetano Veloso’s compositions.

It was used in the film Frida and was performed at the Academy Awards in 2003.