A roundup of great masterpieces and popular songs of Brazilian music
If your knowledge of Brazilian music is limited to stylish, relaxing bossa nova you hear at cafés or the samba played during Carnival, this article is a must-read! Brazil is a vast, multiethnic country with a wide range of musical styles—so many, in fact, that when you include subgenres, the variety is astonishing.
In this piece, we’ve researched and compiled a selection focused on classic Brazilian standards and historically significant masterpieces.
Give these tracks a listen, and your image of Brazilian music might just change!
Compilation of Great and Popular Classics of Brazilian Music (1–10)
ConstruçãoChico Buarque
This work is known as a song that sharply criticizes Brazil’s social issues.
It is one of Chico Buarque’s signature pieces and the title track of his album “Construção,” released in January 1971.
Characterized by lyrics depicting the tragedy of a laborer and a distinctive poetic structure, it is regarded as one of the greatest songs in the history of Brazilian music.
The themes include repression under the military dictatorship and the dehumanization of workers, reflecting Buarque’s deep insights into society.
Interweaving a simple melody with a complex musical structure, this piece is recommended for those seeking music that mirrors Brazil’s realities.
It has continued to receive high acclaim, including being featured at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Aguas de MarçoElis Regina & Tom Jobim
It’s a timeless masterpiece by Elis Regina and Tom Jobim, revered treasures of Brazilian music! The song appears on the album “Elis & Tom,” released in June 1974, and has remained one of Brazil’s most beloved tracks.
Its poetic lyrics, simple yet beautiful, depict everyday scenes and events that symbolize the cycle of life.
Inspired by Jobim’s experience facing the rainy season at a farm in the state of Rio, the piece perfectly balances Elis’s passionate vocals with Jobim’s delicate melodies.
It’s highly recommended not only for those interested in Brazilian music, but also for anyone who enjoys poetic lyrics and soothing melodies.
Fico Assim Sem VocêAdriana Calcanhotto
An intellectual figure representing the MPB scene, Adriana Calcanhotto created this irresistibly charming cover under her children’s music moniker.
The lyrics compare the loneliness of missing a loved one to a world where something essential has vanished from everyday life—simple yet profoundly moving.
Originally a track by a funk duo, it becomes an acoustic, warmly textured number through her lens.
Included on her 2004 album “Adriana Partimpim,” the song drew attention when its music video was nominated for a Brazilian music award in 2005.
Another cover version was also used on the children’s TV show “Carrossel.” It’s a song to play when you want to be wrapped in a gentle voice and a tender melody.
Toda menina BahianaGilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil, who helped lead MPB and Tropicália and later served as Minister of Culture, is an iconic figure in Brazilian music.
The piece we’re featuring today is a cheerful number filled with his love for his hometown.
Written for his daughter Nara, it affectionately celebrates the carefree charm and spirit of a girl from Bahia.
Blending Bahia-born samba rhythms with the disco sound of the era, its danceable groove will make both your heart and body want to move.
The track appears on the classic album Realce, released in August 1979.
Brimming with a festive vibe and a live-show staple, it’s perfect for lifting your spirits or accompanying a drive.
Feito a MaréJota.Pê
The singer-songwriter drawing major attention in Brazil’s music scene right now is Jota Pê.
Grounded in MPB while blending in soul and pop, he’s a proven talent who won two major categories at the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards.
This track shines with a collaboration featuring the popular group Gilsons.
Using the ebb and flow of the tide as a metaphor, it portrays the delicate feelings of rejoicing at a reunion with a loved one while hesitating to draw close again.
The acoustic guitar tones and beautiful harmonies gently envelop that bittersweet emotion.
The song is included on the acclaimed album “Se o Meu Peito Fosse o Mundo.” It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to sink into a mellow, sentimental mood or savor the lyrics’ world at a leisurely pace.
Beija EuMarisa Monte
Marisa Monte freely traverses the traditions of Brazilian music and a contemporary pop sensibility.
Not only a singer but also an accomplished composer and producer, she has been hailed by Rolling Stone Brazil as “the most important living singer in the country.” Here, we introduce the opening track from her landmark album Mais, released in March 1991, which marked the full-fledged start of her career as a singer-songwriter.
The song, which expresses an intimate desire to gently ask a lover for a kiss, beautifully matches her whispery, translucent vocals with a subtly complex, shimmering rhythm.
Produced by Arto Lindsay and featuring contributions from Ryuichi Sakamoto, the album offers an urban, sophisticated sound that is irresistibly pleasing.
It went on to sell over 710,000 copies, cementing her reputation.
O Mundo é um MoinhoCartola
Cartola, the legendary musician who greatly contributed to the development of samba.
This song he created at the age of 68 is filled with both affection and sternness, like a father speaking to his daughter.
Many listeners may feel deeply moved by its poetic worldview, which gently warns that life’s sweet dreams will eventually be ground down by the mill of the world.
The piece is included on the masterpiece album Cartola II, released in 1976, and you may have heard Beth Carvalho’s cover version, which was used in the TV drama Lado a Lado.
It’s the perfect song to listen to quietly on a contemplative night.