Chico Buarque - Construção (1971) | Album Reaction & Review

My reaction and review of Construção by Chico Buarque. This is my second dip into the world of MPB (Brazilian popular music) which was an explosion of Brazilian pop rock and jazz music in the 60s and 70s that combined these modern music styles with more traditional Brazilian dance music like samba. I did listen to Milton Nascimento's Club de Esquina a while back but I was a bit underwhelmed by it at the time. I need to give it another go. But I wanted to hear more music from this scene so I held a poll on my Community tab and this album from Chico Buarque won with 50% of the votes!
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• Construção
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[@eniorp7]

I strongly recommend that you look at the lyrics, because in addition to being a great musician, Chico is known for being one of the best composers of all time, his ability to create stories through music is extraordinary. Furthermore, he is also known as a book writer.

[@jonnykhatru]

I recently did!! I was really taken with the words, especially Deus lhe pague and the title track, goddamn.

[@raphaelcoelho1557]

​@@jonnykhatruparticularly, this album was made during dictatorship in Brazil. Construção is sad due to the typical poor worker dying and nobody cares. Genius he changed only the end of each phrase by the end of other phrases leading to different meaning although with the same words. That made dictatorship controllers not to understand the lyrics

[@chiga3388]

The "squeaky sound" you mention at 3:13 is from a friction drum called "cuíca"

[@jonnykhatru]

I love that sound!

[@showcaseSampa]

A player ruba his hands at the shiny rim of the drum

[@mfnemevomitspit]

heyy i saw this on yt about "construção", "A minha interpretação dessa música é que se trata de três trabalhadores diferentes. Conforme um morre, é rapidamente substituído por outro, como peças de uma fábrica que se quebram. O primeiro é um trabalhador sério, fiel e dedicado, por isso ele beija a mulher como se fosse a última, os filhos como se fossem únicos e ergue paredes sólidas na construção. Em um momento de descontração (e desconcentração) no trabalho, tropeça e morre. O segundo é um trabalhador relapso, infiel e bêbado. Por isso ele beija a mulher como se fosse a única (já que não é), atravessa a rua como um bêbado, finge que é sólido ao subir a construção e as paredes que ele ergue só se mantém por mágica. Bebe como uma máquina, por costume, e, bêbado que é, tropeça e cai. O terceiro é um trabalhador já desiludido, frustrado e depressivo. Faz amor maquinalmente, beija a mulher por ser algo lógico, rotineiro, ergue paredes flácidas só por obrigação e, como não liga para mais nada, se sente como um príncipe ao cair e dar um fim naquilo. E, nos três casos, as mortes são irrelevantes para o resto da sociedade, só servindo para atrapalhar o cotidiano dos outros, ressaltando como o papel do trabalhador é substituível."

[@pedronogueira21]

Interessante, nunca tinha pensado por essa ótica. Também é possível interpretar que cada uma é a visão de alguém sobre a situação: a primeira, a visão do trabalhador; a segunda, a visão do patrão e a terceira a visão do sistema. De todo jeito, é fantástica a maneira que gradualmente a música vai do lógico e do mundano a algo mágico e disforme, assim como os instrumentos e a canção. Tudo isso vai de encontro ao tema da música, é genial

[@Aloha698]

Caraca! Incrível sua interpretação, nunca tinha visto dessa forma

[@day_thewoodelf]

Caramba! Eu amo essa música e nunca tinha pensado nessa possibilidade! É uma ótima interpretação! Vou ter que ir ali ouvir ela de novo, sob essa visão!

[@dannieldf]

Cara, valeu pela sua interpretação. Tenho medo de ofender fãs radicais, mas é uma poesia tão sem sentido.

[@reggae9]

@@bs9591 "beijou sua mulher como se fosse a última (vez)", e cada filho beijou de forma igual.

[@Rukimix]

As a Brazilian I love this album, but I don't think it will be as good to non-portuguese speakers since it is so focused on the lyrics. The theme title is one of the most lyricly (is that a word) complex songs of all time. I'd recommend others bands like Novos Baianos, Mutantes, Jorgen Ben, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, and my favorite album Os Afrosambas by Vinicius de Moraes and Baden Powell.

[@jonnykhatru]

Well it really says something that I enjoyed the music so much then, even though I couldn't understand the lyrics. To be honest lyrics are usually the least important thing for me. The feeling in the music is what matters - and the music here is very strong and emotional.

[@markvorobey2547]

Talking about the lyrics, I found about "construction" through a video that was talking about the lyrics so I knew what the song was about but when I relistened the song without any subtitles I couldn't even move. I cant even describe my state in that moment, I was in horror. Knowing the lyrics but understanding only simple words as "traffic" or "public" really made the experience something else. This song may be one if not the most unique song ever to me.

[@Rukimix]

@@markvorobey2547 that's awesome, the level of technicality in the lyrics is insane

[@fnordinvitation]

I have to respectfully disagree in this case. Lyrics are as important as the sound. Those musics have hidden messages inside to pass through censorship during the military regime. For instance: construction is about a construction guy falling from a building and it's told by different point of views. But it's difficult to understand them as most of it are in codes and you need to understand a lot of history to grasp the meaning. it's not clear even for many Brazilians. The music was made to go undetected by censorship, no surprise they're enigmatic. When he says: "it has fallen in the wrong lane making it a nuisance of the traffic is the point of view from the Bourgeoisie from that time, emotionally detached in its consumerism and status quo. The same goes "sat to rest as if he was a Prince" is the disdain for blue collar workers, seen as "full of privileges". Or "for this bread to eat, for this floor to sleep, for this "bloody" cachaça (sugar cane rum) given to me "for free" that we have to 'swallow' (because it tastes very bad). That God pay you back". Is the worker point of view, ironizing his gratitude to the elite and the ultimate redemption from his miserable life and entering into heaven in a drunk samba dance.

[@jwardbass4452]

As an English speaker, I’m sure there’s some wordplay and rhyming that I’m missing out on but overall, from the translations online it does help paint the picture pretty well and the instrumentation is so good that the translation paired with the audio is more profound than any English speaking album I can think of. “Routine” cycles through its lyrics about three times, which is pretty clever and the title track rearranges the words throughout the verses so it’s still good fun and one of my favorite albums

[@waynedexter]

I first discovered Chico Buarque on a brilliant compilation called Brazil Classics, Vol. 1: Beleza Tropical. This comp was compiled by David Byrne and released on his label, Luaka Bop, in 1989. It’s a brilliant compilation that I highly suggest you check out.

[@Guizambaldi]

This is the introduction to many foreigners. I keep hearing foreigners talking about Brazil Classics.

[@mathero13]

really crazy how david byrne is envolved in so much cool things he released yonlu's album in usa (search for It If you want, it has a really sad and at the same time fabulous story) and made an album with caetano veloso

[@mauricio.o.f]

Radiohead had their name inspired by a Chico Buarque's song (O ultimo Blues), which has the expression "radio cabeça" (radio head).

[@jonnykhatru]

Mate they got their name from the Talking Heads song called Radio Head

[@jonnykhatru]

But maybe Talking Heads were inspired by the Chico Buarque track?

[@mauricio.o.f]

@@jonnykhatru You're right. That's the whole history. I've forgotten the "talking heads" step. haha

[@mauricio.o.f]

By the way, David Byrne is a great admirer of Brazilian music.

[@jonnykhatru]

@@mauricio.o.f oh yeah you can hear the influence especially on Remain in Light 👌amazing music. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@beatrizbraga496]

this album is so incredibly gorgeous the lyrics were written when brazil was going though a dictatorship a very sad and hard time, you should rlly look them up and their meanings because they are so so beautiful and deep and well written

[@elizabethsteele4633]

I remember when I bought this LP in NY back around 1976 . It blew my mind - for me it was like when I heard Sgt Pepper in the 60's . Chico Buarque is genius - he's on a par with Dylan and Lennon ( if one speaks Portuguese , which I do ) . Love this album . Check out Club da Esquina 2 !

[@thupi_ofc]

Esses foi um dos vídeos quem mais assisti do ano, não me pergunte o porque apenas sim, esse react e esse album, principalmente, são incríveis, aque manifesto minha gratidão. 🥂

[@eldariskenderfranke4284]

Hello from Germany, since I found that one playlist I've been consistently listening to Brazilian Bossa nova/samba etc. since December every day, imo he should've read the lyrics of construção

[@andrefarias4241]

React to Arthur Verocai and Moto Perpétuo. Moto Perpétuo is one of the best albums of progressive rock in Brazil and the album Arthur Verocai was sampled by many hip hop producers, like Madlib for example. I'm sure that you will like them

[@rauljaviersosa4756]

my friend i recently met chico buarque through a cover of "construcción" that pedro aznar did. he is a first class musician, and also a poet. i really like your choices and the reactions.

[@jonnykhatru]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it, I loved this one too.

[@veagacastro3045]

2:51 actually, the name Radiohead its from a song by Buarque lol.

[@PROPAROXITONO]

Chico Buarque is the best lyric maker in the world. If there is anyone better than him, i never Heard.

[@CanalSince85]

This is my favorite Chico album. Each syllable is a chord, it's poetry, it's feeling. ❤ Long live Brazilian music. Good reaction. Listen to more Brazilian artists, we have a range of possibilities and styles. We have a lot of progressive rock bands from the 60s and 70s from Brazil. I recommend! You will be surprised.

[@leolearth]

There is so much that needs to be comprehended there that I struggle to start. It is the musicality, the lyrics, the poetry, the protest, the mixing between the harmony and the lyrics. It represents a complete different linguistic, semantics, emotions, and view of the world. This reaction reminded me of the movie Arrival... someone that simply cannot comprehend and get it. You need to spend some time in Brazil to start, and only start understanding it.

[@leolearth]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2m3aod5gLWBaa8si=rZIXQECtem_wl-Mf

[@pizote2618]

Great video Hopefully you can react to Jose Jose. The mexican singer, who is considered one of the best singers in history. And his masterpiece is the album Vive from 1974.

[@pauloweise]

nice review! a big hug from Brasil

[@marcorj72]

"Construção" is one of Chico Buarque's masterpieces, released in 1971, and is widely recognized for its innovative structure and the depth of its lyrics. The song addresses the lives of workers in the context of urbanization and modernization in Brazil, particularly during a period of military dictatorship, reflecting on the alienation and dehumanization of labor. The song is notable for its repetitive and nearly hypnotic structure. Chico uses the repetition of the initial line and the construction of interspersed stanzas to create a rhythm that evokes the arduous routine of workers. Each stanza culminates with the phrase "ele partiu" ("he left"), which becomes a mantra, reinforcing the idea that the life of a worker is marked by the continuity of labor and the lack of individuality. Dehumanization of labor: Workers are depicted mechanically, as if they are merely parts of a machine. The song describes the death of a worker, but the focus is not solely on his individuality, but on how his life and death are absorbed into the daily grind of work. Alienation: There is a strong critique of how society treats workers, disregarding their personal lives and human dignity. The worker becomes an object, and their struggle is rendered invisible in the grand enterprise of civil construction. Relationship with society: The song also critiques societal indifference toward the lives of workers. While they sacrifice themselves, there is a disconnection between hard work and the acknowledgment of human value. Political Context During the 1970s, Brazil was under military dictatorship, and the song reflects a climate of repression, but also the resilience of the people. "Construção" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the struggle for freedom and social justice, reflecting the difficulties faced by the working class. Conclusion "Construção" is a work that transcends a mere account of a worker's life. Through its form and content, Chico Buarque provokes a profound reflection on working conditions and the dehumanization of individuals in the modern era. The song remains relevant, resonating in discussions about labor rights, dignity, and the valuing of human beings in any social context.

[@reggae9]

4:49 MASTERWORK

[@riquiqui]

when i heard radiohead's king of limbs for the first time i kinda felt an inspiration from brazilian music in the instrumental

[@mauricio.o.f]

Olha Maria is the version with lyrics of a music from Tom Jobim's' album Stone Flower.

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, Nice vídeo reaction!

[@rbdriftin]

#SideAGang represent!

[@jonnykhatru]

Quite right 😄

[@Teodoroviski]

It's cool and interesting that you really liked the music; I do too. But his lyrics leave Bob Dylan (just so you have an idea) to dust

[@diegocavalcante4373]

Recomendo Folk brasileiro Almir Sater - Rasta Bonito (álbum de 1989)

[@sebastianvangogh3918]

In my opinion Chico Buarque is the Spinetta of Brazil....... I love Chico's music.

[@danieldaniel2]

Discordo demais. Spinetta é mais completo que ele em todos os sentidos, e olha que sou brasileiro. Chico Buarque era um bom poeta, mas na parte musical não ousou muito

[@Fernando_Cuesta]

É raro que no Brasil conhecan a Spinetta... Mas acá na Argentina Chico Buarque a visitado nosso país.

[@Fernando_Cuesta]

Las letras de Chico Buarque tienen mucho peso cultural y social. Es un excelente musico y viste letras dramáticas con un ritmo muy lindo. Spinetta incursionó en muchos ritmos y sus letras dejaron un legado muy profundo. A pesar de que sean diferentes, son pesos pesados en la cultura de sus respectivos paises.

[@PPCAPOGAMING]

Es muy difícil comparar la escena portuguesa con la argentina pero creo que chico con spinetta debe ser de las más certeras😂

[@legadoceu2953]

Esse álbum é foda... Um dos meus favoritos do Chico...

[@diegosiqueiraesouza]

His is also a writer and playwright, some of his songs also became theater plays.

[@snowman_brazil]

This is one of the most iconics albums of brazilian music. Chico is a well loved artist by intellectuals and his music tells about brazilian dictatorship, social critique, woman`s POV and brazilian culture in general. Please review Clube da Esquina by Milton Nascimento. I would also recommend: - "Canções Praieiras" by Dorival Caymmi [1954] - "Os Afro Sambas" by Baden Powell de Aquino e VInícius de Moraes [1966] ("Tristeza, Canto, Poema and Images on Guitar" is a compilation of 4 Baden Powell`s albums that also deserves attention) - "Tropicalia ou Panis et Circencis" by Mutantes and others [1968] - "Acabou Chorare" by Novos Baianos [1972] - "Jards Macalé" by Jards Macalé [1972] - "A Volta dos Secos & Molhados" by Secos & Molhados [1973] Those are the most important albums for me. Well, I would be very glad to watch your reviews of these albums. I may help you (at least I can try) with lyrics and also with more contemporary brazilian music. Thank you for this excellent job!!!

[@emraizar5745]

The song "Construção" by Chico Buarque is a powerful reflection of the political context of the dictatorship era in Brazil. The lyrics vividly portray the struggles of the working class and the impact of political oppression. The grammatical forms used in the Portuguese lyrics reflect the sense of construction and deconstruction, tying in with the title of the song. In addition, the high instruments represent the sounds of traffic, adding an additional layer of meaning to the composition. The song is an artistic testimony of the social and political turmoil of that time, becoming a timeless work that resonates with historical significance.

[@wmz1900]

Desalento and Cordão are my favourites on this album, sound like old bossa nova ballads.

[@ClubLady]

I would love to see you react to "Os Afro sambas" by Baden Powell

[@andrefontes3493]

Chico Buarque is "a museum" of the few singers still alive. Despite not having the sound tuning expected from a singer, he has a unique voice style, recognized by music critics and admirers of his musical style. It's worth remembering that Chico Buarque, in addition to singing Bossa Nova, can present poems sung in children's songs, like this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJnCm61vrsiDga8

[@LoaRicardo]

Id like to recomend the second album by Os Mutantes "Mutantes", released in 1969 =)

[@kweinem]

Nice! Do ''Meu Brasil Brasileiro'' full album from Ary Barroso

[@RandomNPC001]

Chico Buarque is the Bob Dillan of the Brazilian Portuguese!

[@Vrealita]

Do Meu Caros Amigos or Almanaque albums! Such a genius, Chico Buarque!

[@miriaborgess]

❤❤

[@claudiocabelo5831]

Sarava

[@alexandretorres5087]

This album can only be fully enjoyed by understanding the lyrics and the brazillian hisorical and artistic context of that time. Construction was influenced by concrete poetry. Perhaps you should start a few years before with samba of Cartola, Ary Barroso, Dorival Caymmi, Elizeth Cardoso singing Pixinguinha and then move to Joao Gilberto and Jobim. After that, you can understand what Buarque was doing.

[@Gstvcvlhr]

Deveria ouvir o Alucinação do Belchior.

[@aad3107]

Trafiquei daquela vez como se fosse a última

[@Rrceitas]

DESAPONTADO COM O CLUB DA ESQUINA😂....MAKES SMILE😅...

[@ofelipeblum]

Eu adoro como uma obra prima é "recatada" por alguém de mediana abrangência na rede social e as pessoas veneram a pessoa que analisa e não o analisado que é algo surreal na nossa cultura. Interessante não?

[@jonatasgandra]

Reaja a Antologia do Samba Canção vol 1

[@bagwipes]

I’d be interested to hear your views on Guy Garvey’s solo album. I properly experienced it for the first time just last month, and as an Elbow fan of seven years, couldn’t believe what I’d been missing out on

[@jonnykhatru]

I bought it on the day it came out, as a huge Elbow fan I was very excited for it. I think I'd seen him performing the songs on Jool's Holland before the album came as well and thought the songs were sounding good. To be honest I was a bit disappointed with the album though. I liked a couple songs for sure but found the album a bit flat and uninspired on the whole. I haven't listened to it since it came out.

[@bagwipes]

@@jonnykhatru interesting. The jazz elements really did it for me, made it stand out in comparison to Elbow’s albums, but by no means made it greater.

[@jonnykhatru]

I do remember there being some instrumental elements that I hadn't heard in Elbow which were quite interesting. Maybe it'll surprise me if I return to it.

[@bagwipes]

@@jonnykhatru the bridge in Harder Edges was particularly notable for me!

[@edilsonfernando5735]

Muito bom muito bom

[@88maia]

you would like to listen “clube da esquina”

React to Transa from Caetano Veloso!!!

[@marcusmv6960]

Chico Buarque is known for the lyrics of his songs.

[@patriciapiloto5475]

Nao 😢gostei de vc nao deixar as músicas inteiras😮

[@alroth1035]

That first side though...

[@Zx333-l4e]

During this period of the Military Regime, revolutionary movements financed by Cuba, the Soviet Union and China were active in Brazil, carrying out actions such as robberies, kidnappings, murders and terrorist bombings. These groups did not only represent political opposition, but also a clear attempt to establish a communist regime in the country, following the model of the Cuban Revolution. Brazilian communist militants received military training in Cuba and also logistical and ideological support to destabilize the government. Our military were true heroes. The Military Regime was necessary and at the request of the population, by popular acclaim. If it were not for the Military Regime, Brazil would be like Cuba today.

[@frnandoh]

I came to watch a lot of brazilians chaating in english each other.

[@juromori]

You should search up the lyrics!

[@MatheusOliveira-fy1gk]

Clube da Esquina, Transa by Caetano Veloso and This are top 3 Brazilian albums

[@gudih]

Acabou Chorare, by Novos Baianos...

[@raj66kas]

Thanks for reminding of history through songs and musicians. As we see what's unfolding in the middle east and the Palestinian struggle. It reminds me of the struggle in South Africa during apartheid and it reminds me of this song by Hugh Masekela kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHq6aqCGotx2mpYsi=NGGVLZL02cRA9VEY

[@rtech80]

"Olha Maria " = "Amparo" (Tom Jobim)

[@FranUmbelino]

Desapontado com Milton Nascimento, está maluco?

[@franciscodiehl1491]

Please react to alma de diamante by Spinetta jade

[@jonnykhatru]

You can watch my full reaction to Alma de diamante for free over on my Patreon! www.patreon.com/posts/spinetta-jade-de-59312952

[@franciscosilva8155]

Without lyrics? Oh, boy...

[@emiliosaymon5096]

Even for us Brazilians, Chico's lyrics are difficult to understand because they take on several dimensions and duplicate points of view.

[@Rooseveltpaz]

React to Caetano Veloso - Transa

[@96merluzzo]

5 seconds of video for each song is not enough FYI

[@lindomartavares7550]

Esse rapaz non sense, nem desconfia que pra fazer qualquer avaliação das obras do Chico Buarque e outros gigantes da MPB, em todas suas nuances e gêneros, é necessário profundo conhecimento não só da ciência musical, mas de todas as linguagens correlatas das artes. O BRASIL é o unico país onde a arte musical é produzida e executada por mestres da mais fina estampa. Atingindo o ápice da sofisticação, então, pra ousar analisar, é preciso no mínimo doutorado. E isso, só brasileiros tem lastro pra fazer.

[@jonnykhatru]

😂 que presunçoso!!

[@lindomartavares7550]

@@jonnykhatru Digo isso porque o que existe fora do BRASIL, de forma globalizada e nivelada por baixo, é um produto fonográfico genérico, com o nome simplório de POP, feito pra embalar modismos descartáveis, e sem a espiritualidade humana de valores permanentes, independente dos bombardeios das mídias comprometidas com o MERCADO e sua lógica do consumo de tudo que empobrece a civilização.

[@raph2k01]

@@jonnykhatru I agree with the OG comment's point that essentially you need a lot of baggage to understand these tunes (although needing a doctorate is a massive exaggeration lol, even if the sentiment is logical). Understanding Brazilian music (specifically Samba/Bossa/Tropicalia/etc) can be challenging because it incorporates specific historic references in lyrics, harmony, melody, and rhythm. Trying to analyze or critique the album Construcao without a deep understanding of the musicians and musical styles involved will lead to a shallow interpretation. If I had to draw a similar comparison, it would be like me analyzing or critiquing Bach's compositions, being that I've never profoundly understood or studied classical music, much less could I comprehend or even deeply enjoy all of his music without understanding the fundamentals in the style.

[@patriciapiloto5475]

Você não ouviu apropriadamente, cortando toda música. Não teve respeito

[@patriciapiloto5475]

Não gostei da sua reação. Você mutila uma música maravilhosa! Pecado, trágico!

[@patriciapiloto5475]

É chato de assistir pois as músicas ficam todas cortadas. Pena!😪

[@patriciapiloto5475]

É desagradável ver seu react pois interrompe a música o tempo todo😡

[@andrefarias4241]

Por isso é um react. Tem o álbum completo no KZbin pra quem não quer interrupções

[@Andre-hq9gw]

Seriously? A brazilian song, and as a non portuguese speaker, You dont even look at lyrics?

[@jonnykhatru]

I don't look at lyrics in any language. Lyrics can be cool, but I'm interested in music. And this album is full of beautiful music. Seriously.

[@deliciasdanaty3932]

Please react to Paula Lima and Tony Garrido "Negras perucas"