A roundup of great masterpieces and popular songs of Brazilian music
If your knowledge of Brazilian music is limited to stylish, relaxing bossa nova you hear at cafés or the samba played during Carnival, this article is a must-read! Brazil is a vast, multiethnic country with a wide range of musical styles—so many, in fact, that when you include subgenres, the variety is astonishing.
In this piece, we’ve researched and compiled a selection focused on classic Brazilian standards and historically significant masterpieces.
Give these tracks a listen, and your image of Brazilian music might just change!
Playlist
| A roundup of great masterpieces and popular songs of Brazilian music | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | ConstruçãoChico Buarque |  play_arrow | A masterpiece of Brazilian social critique that portrays the tragedy of workers |
| 2east | Aguas de MarçoElis Regina & Tom Jobim |  play_arrow | A classic by Elis and Tom that sings of the beauty of life |
| 3east | Gostava Tanto De VocêTim Maia |  play_arrow | Tim Maia’s classic song that sings about the feelings of heartbreak. |
| 4east | Meu Nome É GalGal Costa |  play_arrow | Gál Costa’s signature song, Tropicália |
| 5east | Mas que nadaJorge Ben Jor |  play_arrow | The samba classic “Descansa” |
| 6east | Garota de IpanemaTom Jobim |  play_arrow | A bossa nova classic, feelings for a woman on the beach |
| 7east | Trem Das OnzeZeca Pagozinho |  play_arrow | A son's last-train homecoming for his mother |
| 8east | Panis et CircencisOs Mutantes |  play_arrow | An iconic band of the Brazilian music revolution; social criticism |
| 9east | O Bêbado e a EquilibristaElis Regina |  play_arrow | Songs of resistance in Brazilian music, profound messages |
| 10east | Paisagem Da JanelaLô Borges and Milton Nascimento |  play_arrow | A classic of Brazilian music that expresses the beauty of life |
| 11east | DetalhesRoberto Carlos |  play_arrow | A song woven from memories of love and little details |
| 12east | Mas Que NadaJorge Ben Jor |  play_arrow | A legendary song of Brazilian music |
| 13east | O Canto da CidadeDaniela Mercury |  play_arrow | The powerful resonance of Brazilian music |
| 14east | Mulher do Fim do MundoElza Soares |  play_arrow | Elza Soares laid the foundation of a music genre. |
| 15east | Aquarela do BrasilGal Costa |  play_arrow | Expressing Brazil's beautiful music and landscapes |
| 16north_east | É Isso AíAna Carolina, Seu Jorge |  play_arrow | A masterpiece woven by two captivating voices |
| 17south_east | O LeãozinhoCaetano Veloso |  play_arrow | A classic of MPB, a gentle song that sings of friendship and love. |
| 18south_east | Beijar na BocaClaudia Leitte |  play_arrow | Brazilian music, a song of liberation and joy |
| 19south_east | O Show Tem Que ContinuarFundo de Quintal |  play_arrow | Signature songs brimming with the charm of pagode |
| 20south_east | Vamos fugirGilberto Gil |  play_arrow | A timeless masterpiece brimming with the charm of Brazilian music |
| 21south_east | Asa BrancaLuiz Gonzaga |  play_arrow | Brazilian music, masterpieces of traditional rhythms |
| 22east | Quando a Chuva passarIvete Sangalo |  play_arrow | Ivete Sangalo, the Brazilian songstress |
| 23east | E O AmorZezé Di Camargo & Luciano |  play_arrow | Brother duo representing Sertanejo |
| 24east | Beija FlorTimbalada |  play_arrow | Color the summer with rhythmic music |
| 25east | Toda menina BahianaGilberto Gil |  play_arrow | Gilberto Gil's Hymn to Bahia |
| 26east | Baby95Liniker |  play_arrow | Liniker’s contemporary evolution of MPB |
| 27east | CarinhosoPixinguinha |  play_arrow | Affectionate Choro, a masterpiece of Brazilian music |
| 28east | OceanoDjavan |  play_arrow | Fusion of Brazil's rhythms and the music of the world |
| 29east | SPCZeca Pagodinho |  play_arrow | A talented musician who loves samba |
| 30east | Vai PassarChico Buarque |  play_arrow | The depth of social critique conveyed by samba |
| 31east | ShimbalaiêMaria Gadú |  play_arrow | The formative song of Maria Gadú, a talent of MPB |
| 32east | Por SupuestoMarina Sena |  play_arrow | A Brazilian talent who expresses feelings of love with a slightly nasal singing voice. |
| 33east | Tudo O Que Você Podia SerMilton Nascimento |  play_arrow | The Musical World of Milton Nascimento |
| 34east | Ultima DançaAgnes Nunes |  play_arrow | Broadcasting from the windowsill: an artist coloring MPB |
| 35east | RomariaRenato Teixeira |  play_arrow | Brazil where the Catholic faith is alive |
| 36north_east | SAMBA MEU & O HOMEM FALOUMaria Rita |  play_arrow | Samba is music that powerfully expresses life. |
| 37south_east | O Mundo é um MoinhoCartola |  play_arrow | Legend of samba, Cartola's song of deep love |
| 38south_east | Várias QueixasGilsons |  play_arrow | The new generation of Brazilian music, celebratory samba |
| 39south_east | Oba, lá vem elaJorge Ben Jor |  play_arrow | A masterpiece by Jorge Ben Jor |
| 40south_east | Feito a MaréJota.Pê |  play_arrow | The delicate musical world of Jota Pe |
| 41south_east | Preta pretinhaNovos Baianos |  play_arrow | Innovators of Brazilian music, an inspiring masterpiece |
| 42south_east | CarolinaSeu Jorge |  play_arrow | Seu Jorge's representative musical works |
| 43south_east | Garota de IpanemaAntônio Carlos Jobim |  play_arrow | The bossa nova classic, The Girl from Ipanema |
| 44north_east | So HojeJota Quest |  play_arrow | Danceable Brazilian music popular at parties |
| 45south_east | DonaRoupa Nova |  play_arrow | Beautiful harmony and gentle rhythm |
| 46north_east | Caminhos das AguasMaria Rita |  play_arrow | Latin hit song, Grammy Award-winning |
| 47south_east | Samba de Uma Nota SóAntonio Carlos Jobim |  play_arrow | A classic song distinguished by a samba rhythm. |
| 48south_east | Fico Assim Sem VocêAdriana Calcanhotto |  play_arrow | A warm cover song that sings of loneliness |
| 49south_east | Beija EuMarisa Monte |  play_arrow | Marisa Monte, the songstress revolutionizing Brazilian music |
| 50east | Samba de OrlyChico Buarque |  play_arrow | A samba song that criticizes the Brazilian military regime |
| 51east | Nada será como antesMilton Nascimento |  play_arrow | Milton’s childhood memories and music |
| 52east | DesafinadoJoao Gilberto |  play_arrow | Global hit song, the bossa nova classic ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ |
| 53east | Flor de LisDjavan |  play_arrow | A song that brightly sings about the loss and rebirth of love |
| 54east | IzauraJoão Gilberto |  play_arrow | The allure of bossa nova maestro Gilberto |
| 55east | Goodbye SadnessSergio Mendes |  play_arrow | Music of hope and joy painted in samba |
| 56east | Aquarela do BrasilAry Barroso |  play_arrow | A famous song that expresses the beautiful nature of Brazil |
| 57east | AnjoBanda EVA |  play_arrow | Anjo has an angel-like gentle singing voice. |
| 58east | Desde Que O Samba É SambaCaetano Veloso |  play_arrow | A song about overcoming sorrow with samba |
| 59east | A NamoradaCarlinhos Brown |  play_arrow | A song that sings of everyday life and lifts the spirit |
| 60east | Amor I Love YouMarisa Monte |  play_arrow | A unique atmosphere, a timeless classic |
| 61east | Pescador de IlusõesO Rappa |  play_arrow | Influencing society through reggae rock |
| 62east | Bebete VãoboraJorge Ben Jor |  play_arrow | Music that fuses samba and R&B |
| 63east | Manhã de CarnavalLuiz Bonfá |  | The famous song from the Brazilian film Black Orpheus |
| 64east | Se Eu Não Te Amasse Tanto Assim / Eu Sei Que Vou Te AmarIvete Sangalo |  play_arrow | Ivete Sangalo's Brazilian music |
| 65east | CaxangáElis Regina e Milton Nascimento |  play_arrow | The classic by Elis Regina, with a powerful singing voice |
| 66east | VoltaGal Costa |  play_arrow | A bossa nova classic, Gal Costa’s singing voice |
| 67east | Esperando na janelaGilberto Gil |  play_arrow | Captivating songs and atmosphere of Brazilian music |
| 68east | Expresso 2222Gilberto Gil |  play_arrow | An innovative song that fuses bossa nova with diverse musical styles |
| 69east | Mas Que NadaJorge Ben Jor |  play_arrow | Fusion music of samba and funk |
| 70east | Oração ao TempoMaria Bethânia |  play_arrow | Caetano’s sister Maria, whose deep singing voice resonates with the heart |
| 71east | Maria MariaMilton Nascimento |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the strength of Brazilian women |
| 72east | Raça NegraOlodum |  play_arrow | Salvador has a strong African cultural influence. |
| 73east | Bat MacumbaOs Mutantes |  play_arrow | An innovative masterpiece of psychedelic × Brazilian music |
| 74east | Bugio NovoOs Serranos |  play_arrow | Gaucho music, the accordion resounds |
| 75east | Pra Que Discutir com MadameTeresa Cristina e Grupo Semente |  play_arrow | Covers of samba classics and bossa nova artists |
| 76east | E VoceTribalistas |  play_arrow | A temporary music group of three unique individuals, captivating |
| 77east | MulheresMartinho da Vila |  play_arrow | A song that dedicates deep love to a single woman |
| 78east | Burn it BlueCaetano Veloso |  play_arrow | A duet classic, used in the film 'Frida' |
| 79east | O QUE É QUE A BAIANA TEMCarmen Miranda |  play_arrow | The allure of the baiana as sung by Carmen Miranda |
| 80east | PENSAR EM VOCÊDaniela Mercury |  play_arrow | A song filled with feelings for a loved one |
| 81east | ClareanaJoyce Moreno |  play_arrow | Works featuring the transparent singing voice of bossa nova singer Joyce |
| 82east | Fool on the HillSergio Mendes & BRASIL’66 |  play_arrow | The Beatles’ songs to the world in bossa nova |
| 83east | BerimbauVinícius de Moraes & Toquinho |  play_arrow | The spirit of a martial art that expresses the suffering of slaves. |
| 84east | Samba da Minha TerraDorival Caymmi |  play_arrow | A classic song depicting the allure of samba, composed by Caymmi |
| 85east | BrasileirinhoWaldir Azevedo |  play_arrow | A representative classic of samba, fast-playing music |
| 86east | Araketu é bom demaisAraketu |  play_arrow | Bliss of being intoxicated by nostalgic, gentle music |
| 87east | Papel MachêJoão Bosco |  play_arrow | Depicting Bosco’s humanity and the delicacy of papier-mâché |