Mas Que Nada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Mas que nada" (No way or Come on) is a song originally written and performed by Jorge Ben in 1963, which later became the signature song of Brazilian musician and performer Sergio Mendes. In the United States, it is one of a few Brazilian songs that are widely known. It is worth noting that in the United States, the song is popularly credited to Sergio Mendes with Jorge Ben Jor relatively unknown, whereas in Brazil, the reverse is true.
[edit] Meaning and pronunciation
The word "Mas" in the title of this song is sometimes mistaken for the word "Mais", because of its pronunciation. This is a typical pronunciation of Rio de Janeiro, where "mais" and "mas" are pronounced similarly. But those words mean different things: "mas" is but and "mais" is more. Therefore "Mas que nada" does not mean "more than anything". A word-for-word translation would be "but what nothing", which makes no sense in English. Non-Portuguese-speaking people sometimes confuse "mas" ("But" in Portuguese), with "más" ("more" in Spanish), and hence, erroneously translate it as "more than nothing". In reality it means something else entirely.
[edit] Covers
Mendes covered the song on his 1966 Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 album. Its well-known introduction can also heard in the motion pictures Joe Versus The Volcano (1990) starring Tom Hanks and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), and the entire song appeared on the accompanying soundtrack album. Versions by other Brazilian artists include Elza Soares and Maria Creuza.
Bossa singer Sitti from the Philippines did a remake of this song and is included in her album, Café Bossa. Al Jarreau also did a cover version on his 1994 album Tenderness. French jazz guitarist Marc Antoine performed an instrumental version on his 2001 album Cruisin'. Echobeatz released a housy/dance version in 1998. L.A. Transit performed a version on the Denon Jazz Sampler Vol. 1 in 1985. Serbian pop singer Madame Piano also covered it, while Croatian cellist Walter Despalj did an arrangement of the song for a group of cellos.
Nike used a 1963 cover by Tamba Trio in an advertising campaign for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, prompting that version of the song to crack the UK Top 40, reaching Number 34 in the summer of 1998.
| "Mas que nada" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Sergio Mendes & The Black Eyed Peas | ||
| from the album Timeless | ||
| Released | May 29, 2006 iTunes June 2006 |
|
| Format | CD single | |
| Recorded | 2005/2006 | |
| Genre | Música Popular Brasileira | |
| Length | 3:32 (single edit) 4:22 (album version) |
|
| Label | Universal | |
| Writer(s) | Jorge Ben | |
| Producer(s) | will.i.am | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
see charts |
||
| Sergio Mendes singles chronology | ||
| "Mas que nada" (2006) |
||
| Black Eyed Peas singles chronology | ||
| "Like That" (2006) |
"Mas que nada" (2006) |
"Bebot" (2006) |
[edit] Mendes 2006 version
In 2006, Mendes re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Peas and additional vocals by Gracinha Leporace (Mendes' wife); a version that is included on his album Timeless.
- CD single
- "Mas que nada" (feat. Black Eyed Peas) 3:32
- "Mas que nada" 2:41
- iTunes single (May 29)
- "Mas que nada" [Radio Edit] 3:33
- "Mas que nada" [Masters at Work Remix] 8:03
- "Mas que nada" 2:39
| Chart (2006) | Peak |
|---|---|
| Austrian Top 75 | 8 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 1 |
| French Top 100 | 40 |
| German Top 100 | 9 |
| Swiss Top 100 | 4 |
| UK Singles Chart | 6 |
| Brazilian Top 40 Dance Traxx | 11 |
| Brazilian Top 100 | 33 |
| Peru Top 100 | 30 |
| Hungary Top 40 (IFPI Mahasz Radio Chart) | 1 |
| Czech IFPI Chart | 6 |
