Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: guitar
Song Meaning of “Desafinado” by João Gilberto
‘Desafinado’ by João Gilberto is a Brazilian Bossa Nova classic, famously covered by other artists, including Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd. The song speaks to the struggle of a love not quite in tune, as indicated by its translation of “Off-Key”. The lyrics are devoted to the minor imperfections in a relationship that can make “a little love sad”. But, ultimately, the singer’s feelings remain true even if he and his lover seem slightly out of step.
Musically, the song expresses the same sentiment. João Gilberto’s iconic guitar-led arrangement maintains a steady and supple rhythm, but it also slightly wavers. The Bossa Nova-style lounge tempo perfectly captures the warbling, lilting feeling of a strange disconnect. Even so, the music never loses its unexpected beauty or spirit of carefree love.
In the end, ‘Desafinado’ speaks to the honest human emotion that exists within us all. Relationships are rarely perfect, and sometimes the seemingly disparate elements of two souls may just be out of tune. The beauty of it all is that you can still love someone even when they are playing off-key.