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1962 bossa nova song From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"O Morro Não 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 Antônio Carlos Jobim with lyrics written by Vinicius de Moraes. The English lyrics were written by Ray Gilbert.[1]
"O Morro Não Tem Vez" | |
---|---|
Song | |
Language | Portuguese |
English title | The Slums aren't Given a Chance |
Genre | Bossa nova |
Composer(s) | Antônio Carlos Jobim |
Lyricist(s) | Vinicius de Moraes, Ray Gilbert |
The song was first released in 1962 by Pedrinho Rodrigues as an a-side to "O Amor e a Canção". In 1963, it was popularized by Jair Rodrigues.[2] The most famous versions are by Astrud Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Stan Getz.[3]
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.[4][5] While bossa nova has not usually been regarded as having political themes,[6] the song became one of the genre's only protest songs due to its subject surrounding the favelas.[7][8][9]
The phrase "o morro não tem vez" has since been used in opposition of economic injustice in Brazil.[10]
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