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BY LUIS BUENAFLOR JR.
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“This is where I want to be / here with you so close to me / until the final flicker of life’s ember
I who was lost and lonely / believing life was only / a bitter tragic joke, have found with you the meaning of existence, oh my love …” — Antonio Carlos Jobim
THESE are excerpts from “Corcovado” (known in English as “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars”), a bossa nova song written by Antônio Carlos Jobim in 1960. An English lyric was later written by Gene Lees.
The Portuguese title refers to the Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. It is now considered a Jazz standard, having been recorded by established and well-known Jazz artists.
The song actually describes the beauty and magic of Brazil and the Corcovado Mountain overlooking the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. It speaks of a whimsical life and the music of Bossa Nova that immediately brings to mind Brazil aside from the “beautiful game” of football.
The lines also speak of love, of longing, of being lost and almost giving up. It speaks of inspiration of finding someone a soul mate.
On a personal note, I can relate to the lyrics perhaps even say they sort of speak of my existence and its meaning to me.
“I who was lost and lonely believing life was only a bitter tragic joke, have found with you the meaning of existence, oh my love.” These lines are very personal to me as they described what I have been through and finally found love.
Don’t worry folks, I’m not getting mushy here, maybe just a sentimental old fool’s bittersweet memories that one needs to express sometimes. We can’t be all bashing politicians all the time, it gets to be boring. Besides, talking about former World Mayor No. 5 Jed Mabilog is so passé, likewise for Leila de Lima. So much for disgusting politicians, let’s segue back to something more pleasant – the beautiful Bossa Nova of Brazil.
To fully appreciate the music, here are the rest of the lyrics of “Corcovado”… Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars:
Quiet nights of quiet stars / Quiet chords from my guitar / Floating on the silence that surrounds us
Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams / Quiet walks by quiet streams / And a window that looks out on Corcovado / Oh, how lovely
This is where I want to be / here with you so close to me / until the final flicker of life’s ember
I who was lost and lonely / believing life was only / a bitter tragic joke, have found with you
the meaning of existence, oh my love
Simply lovely, I suggest listening to Diana Krall’s version of this Jobim classic. Better still, check out also the official video of Diana Krall’s “Quiet Nights” and you will have a breathtaking glimpse of the beauty of the Corcovado Mountain, Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
Sit back and relax, have a glass of cold Chablis close your eyes and let the music of Bossa Nova take you “where you want to be with your love so close to you until the final flicker of life’s embers.”/PN
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