Favorite Tune

The winning song was recorded in several rhythms, including country,
pagode and axé. The lyrics tell the story of a man
who falls crazily in love with a girl with alluring eyes.

Adelle Mol

What was your favorite song last year? IBOPE (Instituto Brasileiro de Opinião Pública e Estatística—Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics) asked this all over Brazil without suggesting any names to those being questioned. "Morango do Nordeste," by Walter de Afogados and Fernando Alves, was the song most cited, being preferred by 4 percent of the Brazilian public.

When that same question was posed to people with a college degree, "Sozinho" by Caetano Veloso led with 8 percent of those with a higher education choosing that song. Veloso was also cited by the general public coming in fourth place, although he shared this distinction with another 11 other songs, which were also cited by 1 percent of those interviewed.

The winning song, "Morango do Nordeste" (Northeast Strawberry), was recorded in several rhythms, including country, pagode and axé. The lyrics tell the story of a man from the backlands who falls crazily in love with a girl with alluring eyes. Head over hills in love, the man confesses that he would do anything for and with the beloved one, even going to war.

Gilberto Gil's "Esperando na Janela" (Waiting by the Window) won second place in the list of favorite songs chosen by the general public. The next most-selected song was "Amor sem Limite" (Boundless Love) by Roberto Carlos, with 3 percent of the unprompted answers. Veteran romantic singer-composer Roberto Carlos also did well among those with a college degree, getting an honorable third place. In this case he shared the position with Gilberto who also got 4 percent of the votes.

Marisa Monte with her song "Amor I Love You" got the preference of 6 percent of those with a higher education, which guarantees her a second place among those belonging to that group.

Morango do Nordeste Walter de Afogados/ Fernando Alves Estava tão tristonho Quando ela apareceu Seus olhos, que fascínio! Logo me estremeceu Os meus amigos falam Que eu já estou demais Mas é somente ela Que me satisfaz É somente ela Que me satisfaz Você só colheu O que plantou Por isso que eles falam Que sou sonhador E digo que ela Significa pra mim Ela é um morango Aqui no Nordeste Tu sabes, não existe Sou cabra da peste Apesar de colher As batatas da terra Com essa mulher Eu vou até pra guerra Ah, é amor! Ah, é amor! É amor

Northeast Strawberry I was so sad When she showed up Her eyes, what a lure! It just made me shiver My friends say That I'm becoming a bore But only she Satisfies me Only she Satisfies me You only gathered What you planted That's why they say That I'm a dreamer And I say what she Means to me She is a strawberry Here in the Northeast You know, it doesn't exit I am brave man Despite gathering The land's potatoes With this woman I will even go to war Ah, it's love Ah, it's love It's love

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