Construção: The Top One Brazilian Song of All Time
An overview of the ’71 classic and its political statement, which is as much alive today as it was back in the seventies
It is 1971, and Brazil is in its seventh year of coup d’etat: the military period. Out of the harshness that only oppression and censorship can bring, the most beautiful flowers bloom. The Brazilian ’70s was the high time for veiled political statements. All dressed up as sambas and carnival, written in between metaphors. Among these, “Construção,” by Chico Buarque, is one of the most brilliant pieces of music ever written.
In 2009, the song was elected the number one Brazilian song by the Rolling Stones.
Before we go on, I urge you to listen to the song. Lyrics and music are by Chico Buarque himself, and the orchestration is by Rogério Duprat. For maximum enjoyment, follow along with the original/translated lyrics here.
For musicians, here are the song chords. However, beware, this is not the average pop song :)