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O Morro No Tem Vez
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Wikipedia article
"'O Morro No Tem Vez'" (loosely translated as "The Slums aren't Given a Chance"), also known as "'Favela'", "'O Morro'", and "'Somewhere in the Hills'", is a bossa nova jazz standard composed by Antnio Carlos Jobim with lyrics written by Vinicius de Moraes. The English lyrics were written by Ray Gilbert.
The song was first released in 1962 by Pedrinho Rodrigues as an a-side to "O Amor e a Cano". In 1963, it was popularized by Jair Rodrigues. The most famous versions are by Astrud Gilberto, Antnio Carlos Jobim, and Stan Getz.
Context
In 1964, not shortly after the song was released, the Brazilian government suffered a coup and was replaced by a military dictatorship. During this time, many musicians and composers, including songwriters Jobim and de Moraes, were arrested and interrogated by the police or had their calls and mail tapped for creating "subversive" music. While bossa nova has not usually been regarded as having political themes, the song became one of the genre's only protest songs due to its subject surrounding the favelas.
The phrase "o morro no tem vez" has since been used in opposition of economic injustice in Brazil.
Notable recordings
* Pedrinho Rodrigues - 'O Morro No Tem Vez / O Amor e a Cano' (1962)
*Jair Rodrigues - 'O Samba Como Ele ' (1963)
*Antnio Carlos Jobim - 'The Composer of Desafinado Plays' (1963)
*Stan Getz & Luiz Bonf - 'Jazz Samba Encore!' (1963)
*Sambalano Trio - 'Sambalano Trio' (1964)
*Astrud Gilberto - 'The Astrud Gilberto Album' (1965)
*Antnio Carlos Jobim - 'The Wonderful World of Antnio Carlos Jobim' (1965)
*Elis Regina - '2 Na Bossa' (1965)
*Srgio Mendes Trio - 'The Swinger From Rio' (1966)
*Vince Guaraldi & Bola Sete - 'Live at El Matador' (1966)
*Charlie Byrd - 'Sugarloaf Suite' (1980)
*Ella Fitzgerald - 'Ella Abraa Jobim' (1981)
*Tim Maia - 'S Voc (Para Ouvir e Danar)' (1997)
*
References
Category:1962 songs
Category:Bossa nova songs
Category:Songs with music by Antnio Carlos Jobim
Category:Songs with lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes
Category:Ella Fitzgerald songs
Category:Protest songs
Category:Songs about poverty
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