Album: Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 (1966)
Charted: 47
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Songfacts®:

  • "Mas que nada" is Portuguese for "No way" or "Come on."
  • This was originally written and performed by Jorge Ben in 1963. Three years later Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes gave it a catchy, tight bossa nova arrangement with soaring vocals by Lani Hall. It became his signature song, although in Brazil Jorge Ben's version is the most well known one.
  • This was featured in the 1990 Tom Hanks movie Joe Versus The Volcano and the 1997 movie Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.
  • The Brazilian group Tamba Trio had a #34 hit in the UK in 1998 with their version, which was surprisingly the first time the song entered the UK charts.
  • In 2006 Sergio Mendes re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Peas with his wife Gracinha Leporace providing additional vocals. This time it reached #6 in the UK and it topped the charts in Holland and Hungary. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above

Comments: 5

  • M. Turboffy from Alma Co.Not pertaining to this tune, only. But imho, the sexy sultry female lead singers on all Brazil 66 songs are the best female duo in rock/pop history. I mean they kill , just kill it on "The Look of Love" & "Fool on the Hill" among many others. Plus, the guys backround harmonizing is solid..
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenWould also have liked to have seen listings for their 80s hits, "Never Gonna Let You Go" and "Alibis."
  • Steve from Whittier, CaHuh? ONLY #47? Hmmm.. This song has from the start here in the USA become so iconic that it's surprising that it peaked just outside the top 40.
    Posted January 11,2014 9:57 AM (this will stat my attempts at listing the time and date of posting messages..)
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyI agree with Darrell of Eugene, surprised there's no other Mendes listings; in 1968 he had two records that made the Top 10. "The Look of Love" peaked at #4 and "The Fool on the Hill" reached #6... {Also in 1968 his version of "Scarborough Fair" peaked at #16}
  • Darrell from EugeneI can't believe that there are no other listings for Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66! My girlfriend and I love their music, especially "The Look of Love", which I seem to recall being adapted to a Cotton Board commercial in the 1990s.
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