Mas que Nada

"Mas que Nada"
Song by Jorge Ben
Recorded	1963
Language	Brazilian Portuguese
Writer	Jorge Ben

"Mas que Nada" is a song written and originally performed by Jorge Ben in his first album, "Samba Esquema Novo" (1963), which in a later cover version became the signature song of Sérgio Mendes. This version reached #47 pop, #4 easy listening in the 1966 Billboard charts. It is also used as the opening song of Miss Universe 2011

Meaning

In Brazilian Portuguese slang, mas que nada (literally, "but, that [is] nothing") means "come on", "no way", or "Yeah, right!" This is sometimes confused with the Spanish más que nada (literally "better than nothing" or "more than anything"), meaning "mainly" or "principally". In many recordings, the title song is colloquially spelled "Mais que nada".

Covers

Mendes covered the song on his album Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 (1966). Elza Soares and Maria Creuza also recorded versions.

Dizzy Gillespie included a cover version on his album Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac (1967).

A Moog version is featured on Perrey and Kingsley's album, Kaleidoscopic Vibrations: Spotlight on the Moog (1967).

Klaus Wunderlich opened his very first LP, Hammond Sensation (1969) with the track.

The Chopsticks, a Hong Kong female duo, covered this song on their first LP The Chopsticks: Sandra and Amina (1970).

The Sacramento Freelancers Drum and Bugle Corps performed this song as part of their 1976 show.

Chris Waxman released a spirited version during this period, performed on the Hammond Organ as well, for a special Phase 4 Stereo album (London/Decca SP 44119).

Bossa nova singer Sitti from the Philippines did a remake of this song, which is included on 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 album Cruisin' (2001). Echobeatz released a cover version in 1997, and a house/dance version in 1998.

L.A. Transit performed a version on the Denon Jazz Sampler Vol. 1 (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. Swedish singer Lill Lindfors has also covered this song.

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.

Ava Leigh has covered the song. This version has recently been used in UK television commercials for clothing chain Next.

Jessy J recorded a cover of this song in her album Tequila Moon (2008).

Covered by Jane McDonald in her 7th album 'Jane' in 2008.

Miriam Makeba covered the song on Miriam Makeba In Concert! (1967) and Live from Paris & Conakry (1996).

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet recorded a version for their 2007 album LAGQ Brazil.

The Idea of North perform Mas Que Nada a cappella, and have recorded a version on The Sum of Us (2001) featuring James Morrison on trombone.

Timeless version

"Mas que Nada"
Single by Sérgio Mendes featuring The Black Eyed Peas
from the album Timeless
Released	May 29, 2006 iTunes June 2006
Format	CD single
Recorded	2005/2006
Genre	MPB, alternative hip hop
Length	3:32 (single edit) 4:22 (album version)
Label	Concord, will.i.am
Writer(s)	Jorge Ben
Producer	will.i.am
The Black Eyed Peas chronology "Pump It" (2006) "Mas Que Nada" (2006) "Boom Boom Pow" (2009)

Song information

In 2006, Mendes re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Peas and additional vocals by Mendes' wife, Gracinha Leporace; a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas. The Black Eyed Peas' version also contains a sample of their 2004 hit "Hey Mama". The re-recorded song became popular on many European charts. On the UK Singles Chart, the song entered at #29 and rose to and peaked at #6 on its second week on the chart.

The song appeared as part of the EA Sports FIFA World Cup 2006 video game. This version was also included in the Rio film soundtrack.

Tracklisting

• CD single

1. "Mas Que Nada" (feat. The Black Eyed Peas and Gracinha Leporace) 3:32
2. "Mas Que Nada" 2:41

• iTunes single (May 29)

1. "Mas Que Nada" [Radio Edit] 3:33
2. "Mas Que Nada" [Masters at Work Remix] 8:03
3. "Mas Que Nada" 2:39

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Austrian Top 75	8
Dutch Top 40	1
French Top 100	40
Italian Top 50	22
German Top 100	9
Swiss Top 100	4
UK Singles Chart	6
Hungary Top 40 (IFPI Mahasz Radio Chart)	1
Czech IFPI Chart	6

Sales

Country	Sales
United Kingdom	71,750

It is used in Disney's Animal Kingdom, "Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade" in Orlando, Florida.

Ava Leigh version

"Mad About the Boy/Mas que Nada"
Single by Ava Leigh
from the album Rollin'
A-side	"Mad About the Boy"
Released	5 May 2008
Format	Digital download
Genre	Reggae
Length	2:43
Label	Virgin
Writer(s)	Jorge Ben

British singer Ava Leigh covered the song for her debut album, Rollin'. The song was released as a Double-A side with popular song, "Mad About the Boy". The song gained popularity after being featured in the UK summer adverts for clothing chain Next. A music video was filmed for "Mad About the Boy" and shows Leigh walking through various places singing the song.

Charts

Charts (2008)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	1281 [1]

Notes

¹ Note that it was "Mad About the Boy" which charted in the UK Singles Chart

References

1. ^ "UK Singles Chart Chart Positions 2008". Zobbel. zobbel.de. http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK2008.HTM. Retrieved 17 April 2009.