This week’s #OnRepeat is actually a remake of a Bossa Nova standard: “Água de Beber,” music written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and words written by Vinicius de Moraes, but is covered by Paula Lima. The Brazilian singer and composer, Paula Lima, is well-known for her music which blends influences of traditional Samba, Brazilian Soul and Funk, Rock, and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) or Brazilian Pop Music; and this rendition of “Água de Beber” showcases these influences. During the 1990s, she was greatly involved in the Brazilian Soul and Funk scene of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, performing as back-up vocalist for Jorge Ben (please look him up; famous for “Mas Que Nada” among other numerous hits) and performing with Brazilian rap duo, Thaíde and DJ Hum, and collaborating with (another one of my favorites) Brazilian Funk singer, Ed Motta.
“Água de Beber” is a beautifully written song surprisingly in both Portuguese and in English. I only say this because sometimes the English version of a song written in a different language either doesn’t make sense or the lyrics in English mean something completely different. Paula Lima sings the English version of the song, but I think because of the way she performs the melody and words, this version grooves way harder than Astrud Gilberto’s version of “Água de Beber”. Below I’ve included the Portuguese lyrics, the English lyrics and the English translation of the Portuguese version:
Portuguese Lyrics
Eu quis amar, mas tive medo
E quis salvar meu coração
Mas o amor sabe um segredo
O medo pode matar o seu coração
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará!
Eu nunca fiz coisa tão certa
Entrei pra escola do perdão
A minha casa vive aberta
Abre todas as portas do coração!
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará!
English Lyrics
Your love’s the rain
My heart’s the flower
I need your love
or I will die
My very life is in your power
will I wither and fade or bloom to the sky
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará!
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará!
The rain may fall on distant desert
the rain may fall upon the sea
the rain may fall upon the flower
since the rain has to fall, let it fall on me
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará!
English Translation of Portuguese Version
I wanted to love but was afraid
I wanted to protect my heart
but love knows a secret
fear can kill the heart
This is sweet water,
sweet water, my friend.
This is sweet water,
sweet water, my friend.
I never did a thing so certain
I learned of forgiveness (Literal: I entered the school of forgiveness)
My house is open
I opened all the doors of my heart
This is sweet water,
sweet water, my friend.
This is sweet water,
sweet water, my friend.
Also, below I’ve posted Astrud Gilberto’s version of “Água de Beber” and Paula Lima’s version so you can have something to compare Lima’s version to (and so that you know the origin of the covered version and how it has changed in Lima’s).
Lima’s rhythmic timing is on point and she shows this by the way she plays with the rhythm in the intro and the chorus section. Her melodic improvisation is simple, stylistic and impressive to listen to. Her interpretation of the English lyrics is beautiful and reminiscent of the Bossa Nova style. Did I happen to mention that her stage presence is such that she gets everyone in the audience surrounding her dancing in their seats? Her performance is groovy, captivating, and something that any singer or performer should aspire to.
I know that this post in particular was a long one, but I wanted to provide both lyrical and musical context so that you guys can start to notice comparisons in the styles of music that you listen to and know how to listen and look for them so that you can appreciate not only your own music, but all music even more.
If anyone has any new musicians, bands or songs to listen to, please feel free to leave a comment below.