The real Brazilian classics that are not famous abroad

The Girl from Ipanema, written by Tom Jobin and Vinicius de Moraes, is probably the best-known Brazilian song worldwide, perhaps followed closely by Mais Que Nada by Jorge Ben Jor. There are more recent examples like 2002's Já Sei Namorar by the group Tribalistas and the song Ai Se Eu Te Pego!, which sold 16 million copies worldwide this year despite having mostly negative reviews from music critics. But then there are the songs that are almost like Brazilian national anthems. Songs that move Brazilians' hearts, filling them with pride in their roots. I have selected three examples and I hope you'll like them as much as I do.

The first one is O que é o é from Gonzaguinha. I picked it not only because of its infectious samba rhythm but mainly because of its lyrics, which accurately represent who Brazilians are and how they feel. Here you have a translation of the chorus:

"Live! And do not be ashamed to be happy. Sing and sing and sing. The beauty of being a lifelong learner. Oh my God! I know, I know. That life should be much better and it will. But that does not stop me repeating it's beautiful, it's beautiful and it's beautiful..."

In the early 80s, when this song was recorded, Brazilians were enduring serious economic difficulties (this is actually considered the lost decade in terms of the economy). Life was not easy during those troubled years but they never let themselves get too down. Instead, they focused on being happy and enjoying the beauty of life - as Gozaguinha sang. 

The next in my list are Aquarela do Brasil and Canta Brasil (I could not make a final decision between the two of them so you have both). These songs became famous via the sweet voice of Gal Costa, similar to O que e o é, these are also songs from the early 80s. They talk about tropical Brazil, of its natural wonders,  beautiful people and the land of samba (of course). There's no way of listening to these songs without feeling proud of being Brazilian!

If you're planning to visit Brazil one day, prepare yourself a nice playlist, including these songs and start to feel it... "Brasil, meu Brasil brasileiro, meu mulato inzoneiro. Vou cantar-te nos meus versos..."