40 people bested this! |
Do you think this is the best? 
|
Francisco Buarque de Hollanda (born June 19, 1944 in Rio de Janeiro), popularly known as Chico Buarque is a Brazilian singer, composer, dramatist and writer. He is best known for his music, which often comments on Brazil's social, economic and cultural reality.
Chico came from a privileged, intellectual family background: his father Sérgio Buarque de Holanda was a well-known historian and sociologist, and the first name of his lexicographer uncle Aurélio Buarque de Holanda is as strongly associated with Brazilian Portuguese dictionaries as the name Webster is with American English ones. A studious child with a precocious interest in music and writing, Chico was impressed by bossa nova, specifically the work of João Gilberto.
The first public debut as musician and composer in 1964, rapidly building his reputation at music festivals and television variety shows when bossa nova rhythm came to light and its undisputed queen, Nara Leão, recorded three of his songs . His eponymous debut album exemplified the work to come, with catchy sambas characterized by inventive wordplay and an undercurrent of nostalgic tragedy. Although playing bossa nova, during his career, samba and MPB would also be widely exploited.
Chico's increasing political activity, which also featured that of MPB style, against the Brazilian military dictatorship resulted in his arrest in 1968, and eventual self-exile to Italy in 1969. Other important musicians like Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil experienced the same. Chico returned to Brazil in 1970, using his fame and song-writing skills to protest against this political regime.
At this time his lightly-veiled protest single Apesar de Você (English: "Despite you") was overlooked by the military censors, becoming the democracy movement's anthem. After selling over 100,000 copies, the single was eventually repressed, and removed from the market. At one point in 1974, the censors banned any song signed by Chico Buarque. He created an alter ego called Julinho da Adelaide, complete with life history and interviews to newspapers. "Julinho da Adelaide" signed songs such as Jorge Maravilha and Acorda amor before he was "outed" in a Jornal do Brasil news story. Calabar is a play written under dictatorhip about the Dutch Invasions time, in Brazil, of the seventh century in parallel with the time it was written.
Despite the censorship, songs such as Samba de Orly (Samba of Orly; 1970), Acorda Amor (Wake Up, Darling; 1974, as "Julinho da Adelaide"), and Vai Passar (It Will Pass; 1983) made manifest Chico's continuing opposition.
During the 1970s and 1980s, collaborated with filmmakers, playwriters, and musicians in further protest works against the dictatorship.
In 1998, the carnival samba school Mangueira took Chico as its annual theme, winning first prize.
His book, Budapeste, achieved critical acclaim and won the Prêmio Jabuti , a Brazilian literary award similar to the Booker Prize.
(from wikipedia)
Lyrics (in Portuguese) Pai, afasta de mim esse cálice De vinho tinto de sangue. Como beber dessa bebida amarga Tragar a dor, engolir a labuta. Mesmo calada a boca, resta o peito Silêncio na cidade não se escuta. De que me vale ser filho da santa Melhor seria ser filho da outra Outra realidade menos morta Tanta mentira, tanta força bruta. Translation Father, take from me this cup of wine tinted red with blood. How can I drink this bitter drink Inhale the pain, swallow the drudgery. Even if the mouth is shut, the heart still remains Silence isn't heard in the city. What good is it to me be a son of the saint (Female) Better to be a son of the other (This breaks the rhyme scheme, after the final "outra" Best other the logical word would be "puta" [bitch/prostitute]). Another reality less dead So many lies, so much brute force.Members that think Chico Buarque is the best!
Comments
Chico Buarque is the best songwriter ever! “Saudade é arrumar o quarto do filho que já morreu.”
lindo, triste, cândido, amável, verdeazul.
amo Chico e pronto.