O Canto da Cidade (song)
Encyclopedia
"O Canto da Cidade" is an axé
song co-written and performed by Brazil
ian singer Daniela Mercury
. It is the title track and main single
of her second studio album
, which was released in 1992. The song became a huge success in Brazil and it is widely known as one of Mercury's signature song
s.
of "O Canto da Cidade" was directed by Patrícia Prata. It begins with Mercury singing the song while she walks through the streets of her native Salvador
. As the beat of the song gets faster, Mercury starts to dance. There are also some other scenes of Mercury (wearing a dress similar to the one on the album's cover) and others dancing in yellow, black and white backgrounds.
's impeachment
process and the subsequent economic crisis. Nelson Motta
states, in his book Noites Tropicais, that Mercury and her song were responsible for bringing back some of the country's joy and self-esteem
at a time of harsh crisis. At a recent concert in Goiânia
, Mercury stated that during the crisis the new generation regained interest in the Brazilian popular music
and that her song was, in part, responsible for this.
Axé music
Axé is a popular music genre originating in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil approximately in 1986, fusing different Afro-Caribbean genres, such as Marcha, Reggae, and Calypso. It also includes influences of Afro-Brazilian music such as Frevo, Forró and Carixada. The most important creator of this music...
song co-written and performed by Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian singer Daniela Mercury
Daniela Mercury
Daniela Mercury , is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Brazilian axé, samba-reggae and MPB singer, songwriter and record producer. Since her breakthrough, Mercury has become one of the best known Brazilian female singers, selling over 20 million albums worldwide...
. It is the title track and main single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
of her second studio album
O Canto da Cidade
O Canto da Cidade is the second album by Brazilian axé/MPB singer Daniela Mercury, released in 1992 in Brazil and on March 23, 1993 in North America and Europe through Sony Music....
, which was released in 1992. The song became a huge success in Brazil and it is widely known as one of Mercury's signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...
s.
Song information
The lyrics of "O Canto da Cidade", which were written by Mercury herself and Tote Gira, are quite simple. They are basically about a girl advising a partner that she is trying to leave her - or a possible love interest, depending on the point of view - that he should stay with her, because she is the "chant" and the "color" of the town they live in.Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
of "O Canto da Cidade" was directed by Patrícia Prata. It begins with Mercury singing the song while she walks through the streets of her native Salvador
Salvador, Bahia
Salvador is the largest city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival. The first...
. As the beat of the song gets faster, Mercury starts to dance. There are also some other scenes of Mercury (wearing a dress similar to the one on the album's cover) and others dancing in yellow, black and white backgrounds.
Chart performance
"O Canto da Cidade" was released as the first single from the eponymous album in mid 1992. The song, as well as the album, is widely regarded as responsible for taking both Mercury's career and axé music to mainstream audiences.Legacy
"O Canto da Cidade" is remembered for being the number one song in Brazil at the time of Fernando CollorFernando Collor de Mello
Fernando Affonso Collor de Mello was the 32nd president of Brazil from 1990 to 1992, when he resigned in a failed attempt to stop his trial of impeachment by the Brazilian Senate...
's impeachment
Impeachment
Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....
process and the subsequent economic crisis. Nelson Motta
Nelson Motta
Nelson Cândido Motta Filho is a Brazilian journalist, songwriter, writer, and record producer.He was part of the bossa nova movement, collaborating with Edu Lobo, Dori Caymmi, Lulu Santos, Rita Lee, Djavan and others, and producer for several MPB artists, such as Elis Regina, Gal Costa, Daniela...
states, in his book Noites Tropicais, that Mercury and her song were responsible for bringing back some of the country's joy and self-esteem
Self-esteem
Self-esteem is a term in psychology to reflect a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs and emotions such as triumph, despair, pride and shame: some would distinguish how 'the self-concept is what we think about the self; self-esteem, the...
at a time of harsh crisis. At a recent concert in Goiânia
Goiânia
-Climate:The city has a tropical wet and dry climate with an average temperature of . There's a wet season, from October to April, and a dry one, from May to September. Annual rainfall is around 1,520 mm....
, Mercury stated that during the crisis the new generation regained interest in the Brazilian popular music
Música Popular Brasileira
Música Popular Brasileira or MPB designates a trend in post-Bossa Nova urban popular music. It is not a discrete genre but rather a constellation that combines original songwriting and updated versions of traditional Brazilian urban music styles like samba and samba-canção with contemporary...
and that her song was, in part, responsible for this.