[2026] Brazil’s National Music! A Collection of Iconic and Popular Samba Songs

Liberta meu coracaoNadinho da Ilha

Liberta Meu Coração – Nadinho da Ilha

“Liberta meu coracao” is a comfortable, medium-tempo samba standard.

In this video, it is sung by Nadinho da Ilha, a mid-career samba roots singer from Rio de Janeiro.

His slightly heavy voice and gritty delivery are especially appealing.

Alô… AlôCarmen Miranda & Mário Reis

Alô… Alô? – Mario Reis e Carmen Miranda (Carnaval de 1934)

This is Carmen Miranda, a major star active from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Although she is strongly associated with film and musical theater, she actually began her career as a singer.

Here are some of Carmen Miranda’s representative early songs.

Samba TristeBaden Powell

Baden Powell – Samba Triste (1970)

Samba exists not only with vocals but also as instrumental pieces.

The song featured here, “Samba Triste” (also known in Japan as “Sad Samba”), is an all-time classic composed by Baden Powell, one of Brazil’s most representative guitarists, when he was just 19.

With his exceptional guitar technique and talent as a composer, Powell profoundly influenced later generations of artists and is also known for creating many bossa nova masterpieces.

As for “Samba Triste,” its guitar playing, built on a rhythm brimming with samba’s characteristic vitality while spinning a melody that is both wistful and passionate, is nothing short of spectacular.

It conveys a raw allure you won’t find in more refined bossa nova.

Here’s to a performance worth sitting down for and savoring in earnest!

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CarinhosoPixinguinha

Carinhoso (Pixinguinha/Braguinha)

When it comes to Brazil’s national music, samba is the first thing that comes to mind.

Among the genre’s classics, let me introduce a piece by Pixinguinha.

Hailing from Brazil, he is known as a musician who had a profound influence on the development of choro and samba.

This work became a huge hit in 1937 thanks to Orlando Silva, and in 2009 it was recognized as the third greatest song in Brazil.

Its lyrics, which poignantly express pure affection, resonate deeply with listeners.

It’s a song that feels as if it’s speaking tenderly to a loved one, while also conveying the sorrow of love that cannot always be fulfilled.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to fully savor the charm of samba.

Amor no coraçãoSimone

SIMONE – AMOR NO CORAÇÃO

The title means “Carnival of Happiness,” and the song is characterized by a distinctly samba-carnival vibe with a fast tempo.

It’s sung by Simone, a female singer active since the 1970s who mainly performs MPB (Música Popular Brasileira).

TristezaAndrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli – Tristeza (Live From Portrofino / 2012)

This song, whose title means “sorrow,” is a classic of Brazilian music—specifically samba—that has been covered by many artists.

If you’re into Free Soul, you might be fond of the version covered by the Dutch bossa-jazz group Samba Trio.

The song first appeared in 1965, when Harold Lobo and Niltinho wrote the lyrics and music, and Brazil’s beloved singer Elis Regina recorded and released it.

Despite its cheerful vibe, as mentioned at the start, it’s a song that pleads for sadness to go away.

This time, I’ve included a video of the version covered as a jazz standard by Andrea Bocelli, Italy’s leading tenor.

A samba classic sung by a classical vocalist—it works beautifully!

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O Sol NasceraCartola

Cartola – O Sol Nascerá

It’s a signature song by Cartola, the legendary samba composer, included on his 1974 debut album.

While samba often evokes the glamorous image of flashy carnivals, there are also many deeply evocative pieces that slowly seep into the heart.