Mas Que Nada
A final poetic anthem for the July Challenge and 31 days of bossa nova
Let me hear all the colors, the thunderous chants echoing euphoric peaks the haunting chorus shapes — with mighty keys unlocking beats splash serenading the dance swelling walls of energy and sultry terrain kissing feet — a sound to colonize the word
Notes: I close with “Mas Que Nada” (Come on!) for my final instalment of the July Bossa Nova Writing Challenge hosted on The Riff. My final notes are below the song writeup.
“Mas Que Nada” has a deep cultural reach and a big cultural echo. Jorge Ben wrote the original and some lyrics are responsible for ongoing debate because his rhythm-forward wordplay. His celebration of Black Brazilian culture underpins all his work. In this song, the references to maracatu and the chanting chorus stem from Afro-Brazilian culture.
Mendes’ version is considered definitive and is so anthemic, I recall my favourite MMA fighter using the new version for his entrance song.
Remaining relevant today, Mendes collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas for an energetic, new interpretation. His first version below made me rethink music after I dug the album out of a crate many years ago. It was so beautiful, nestled in a plastic sleeve. Have fun enjoying both.
Thank you for supporting this very inspiring challenge.
Did you learn anything? I better understand now what I intuitively knew about bossa nova: it is a suave, artistic expression of humble passion with complex and impressionistic blueprints in intimate harmonies drenched in optimistic nostalgia. Bossa nova feels like falling in love when you listen and I fell in love all over again.
I felt honoured to be read by you and will miss you next time I put Chega de Saudade on my record player.
Thank you to writing partner in crime Terry Barr, who joined me for the challenge with 8 brilliant, aching memoirs about summer and music. The summer soundtracks of our memories are as bittersweet as saudade.
A big thank you to Noah Levy for hosting on The Riff.
If you want to see the entire series including Terry Barr’s stories, see the main post below:
Thank you!
