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

Oba, Lá vem elaJorge Ben

Jorge Ben – Ôba, Lá Vem Ela

A true masterpiece of samba rock by the Brazilian music legend Jorge Ben! Opening his January 1970 album “Força Bruta,” this track stands out for its lively rhythm and sweet, alluring melody.

The lyrics portray a man’s feelings as he gazes from afar at the woman he admires, capturing a distinctly Brazilian blend of sunny cheerfulness and bittersweet romance in perfect balance.

While honoring traditional elements of samba, its innovative sound—infused with rock and MPB—has been highly praised for opening up new possibilities in Brazilian music.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to bask in sweet romance carried by an irresistible, dance-inducing groove.

Malandro é Malandro e Mané é ManéBezerra da Silva

bezerra da silva malandro é malandro e mané é mané

The “malandro,” dressed to the nines in a white suit and swaggering stylishly through the backstreets of Rio de Janeiro, is a beloved figure even here in Japan and is said to be a fixture in samba parades.

A towering presence among these malandro sambistas is Bezerra da Silva.

Known for lyrics that capture politics and social issues from a street-level perspective, he truly deserves to be called a heavyweight of downtown samba.

The song featured in this article, Malandro É Malandro E Mané É Mané, is the title track of an album released in 2000.

Its light samba rhythm and catchy chorus, paired with a weathered, cool-as-ice vocal delivery that radiates a timeless “bad-boy” vibe, are irresistibly stylish.

Even the album jacket—showcasing Silva’s lifelong dedication to the malandro ethos—is fantastic, so be sure to check it out!

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Aquarela do BrasilGal Costa

Aquarela do Brasil – Gal Costa

Many people might recognize it when you mention the Japanese title “Aquarela do Brasil” rather than the original title, thinking, “Oh, that song!” Composed in 1939 by Ary Barroso—the same composer behind pieces like “Bahia (Na Baixa do Sapateiro)”—the original is instantly recognizable for its distinctive chant that repeatedly calls out “Brazil.” The song became hugely popular in the United States after being featured in the Disney film “Saludos Amigos,” and Frank Sinatra even covered it with English lyrics.

Elis Regina’s rendition is also well-known, but today we’re bringing you the version released in 1980 by Gal Costa, the beloved Brazilian singer and guitarist.

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Sonho MeuDona Ivone Lara

Sonho Meu

This is “Sonho Meu,” a signature song by the veteran samba composer Dona Ivone Lara.

While there are many female samba singers, it is said that female composers of samba were extremely rare.

She is revered as a matriarch of samba, indispensable in any discussion of the genre.

Fala MangueiraÂngela Maria

Ângela Maria – Fala Mangueira

“Fala Mangueira,” a samba standard by Ângela Maria.

It’s a classic with a lively, quintessential samba rhythm and a horn section that comes in beautifully.

The tune makes you want to dance—perfect for Carnival.

Na Baixa Do SapateiroAry Barroso

Carmen Miranda – Na baixa do Sapateiro (versão original)

It’s a standard that stands among the great classics of Brazilian music, with countless cover versions! The original was composed in 1938 by the composer Ary Barroso, and it was performed by Carmen Miranda, a Brazilian movie star and samba singer.

The song became world-famous after it was used in Disney’s 1945 animated film The Three Caballeros.

It was presented under the title “Baía,” with English lyrics, so some people might not be familiar with the original version.

In Japan today, the song is well loved under the Japanese title “Baía: At the Foot of Sapateiro Street,” and as mentioned, there are many cover versions.

I hope you’ll enjoy listening and comparing them!

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Retrato Cantado de um AmorReinaldo

Reinaldo – Retrato Cantado de um amor

Reinaldo, the famed sambista who sadly passed away in 2019.

With an unusual career path—pursuing music while also working as a banker—Reinaldo quit his job in 1982 to devote himself fully to music.

Over the next three decades, he continued to release a vast number of works with remarkable energy, contributing to the development of samba and pagode as a skilled sambista.

Here, I’d like to introduce the title track from his 1986 solo debut, “Retrato Cantado de um Amor.” It’s a classic that’s both famous and beloved at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, with a sound that conjures up the sweltering Brazilian summer afternoons—even if you’ve never been there—and his rich, robust vocals match it perfectly.

The synth-like phrases that come in partway through also feel fresh and really hit the spot!

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