"Canção do Mar" (in English: "Song of the Sea") is a song in the

fado Fado (; "destiny, fate") is a music genre that can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon, Portugal, but probably has much earlier origins. Fado historian and scholar Rui Vieira Nery states that "the only reliable information on the history of fado was ...

tradition by Portuguese singer

Amália Rodrigues Amália da Piedade Rebordão Rodrigues GCSE, GCIH (23 July 1920 – 6 October 1999), better known as Amália Rodrigues () or popularly as Amália, was a Portuguese '' fadista'' (fado singer) and actress. Known as the 'Rainha do Fado' ("Queen ...

initially recorded with the lyrics "Solidão" (in English: "Solitude") for the soundtrack of the film "Les amants du Tage" also known by the English title ''

The Lovers of Lisbon ''The Lovers of Lisbon'' (french: Les amants du Tage) is a 1955 French drama film directed by Henri Verneuil and starring Daniel Gélin, Françoise Arnoul, Trevor Howard and Betty Stockfeld. Two French exiles in Lisbon fall in love after each ...

'', and released as a single in 1954 by Columbia Records. The song was written by Frederico de Brito and Ferrer Trindade. "Canção do Mar" follows in the history of fado, closely tied to the port district of Lisbon with lyrics incorporating poetry often related to the sea. On 27 November 2011, fado was added to the

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.Compare: This list is published by the Intergover ...

. Tristão da Silva released a version in 1961, using the original title "Canção do Mar".

Dulce Pontes version

The song was covered by Portuguese singer

Dulce Pontes Dulce José Silva Pontes (; born 8 April 1969) is a Portuguese songwriter and singer who performs in many musical styles, including pop, folk, and classical music. She is usually defined as a world music artist. Her songs contributed to the 1990s ...

. Pontes´s version was featured in the 1996 movie '' Primal Fear'', starring

Richard Gere Richard Tiffany Gere ( ; born August 31, 1949) is an American actor. He began in films in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in '' Looking for Mr. Goodbar'' (1977) and a starring role in ''Days of Heaven'' (1978). He came to prominence with ...

and

Edward Norton Edward Harrison Norton (born August 18, 1969) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award and three Academy Award nominations. Born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised ...

; it was also used as the title music in TV series ''

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''. In Brazil, the same version was the theme of epic '' novela'' adaption of ''

As Pupilas do Senhor Reitor ''As Pupilas do Senhor Reitor'' is a Portuguese romance novel by Júlio Dinis, written in 1863 and published in 1867. It was a success, and followed with a number of similar themed novels, such as ''A Morgadinha dos Canaviais ''A Morgadinha dos ...

'' by

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in 1995. Pontes first learned that her recording of "Canção do Mar" was in the film Primal Fear while in the theater, unexpectedly hearing her voice singing the song as part of the soundtrack. She was quoted in Billboard saying "At first I couldn't believe it. I thought I was dreaming. Later my record company told me the whole story, and now all I want is to say thanks to my American friends, especially Mr. Hoblit, for being so kind to me."

Cover versions and other language versions

There are many language versions of "Canção do Mar" including: *Portuguese: "Canção do Mar" by Valentina Félix *Portuguese: "Solidão" on Je Dis Oui! (2016) by

Pink Martini Pink Martini is an American band that was founded in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale in Portland, Oregon. Group members call it a little orchestra that crosses several styles, such as classical, latin, traditional pop, and jazz. The co-lead vo ...

*Portuguese: "Canção do Mar" by Misia *Portuguese: "Meu Brasil, Meu Portugal" by

Julio Iglesias Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva (; born 23 September 1943) is a Spanish singer, songwriter and former professional footballer. Iglesias is recognized as the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world and one of the top record ...

*Spanish: "Oye Mar" by

Chayanne Elmer Figueroa Arce (born June 28, 1968), better known under the stage name Chayanne, is a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor. As a solo artist, Chayanne has released 21 albums and sold over 50 million records worldwide, making him one of ...

*Spanish: A second version by

Chenoa María Laura Corradini Falomir (born June 25, 1975, in Mar del Plata, Argentina) popularly known as Chenoa, is an Argentine-Spanish music artist who rose to fame as a contestant on reality television singing competition ''Operación Triunfo''. H ...

*French: " Elle, tu l'aimes..." by

Hélène Ségara Hélène Ségara (), born Hélène Aurore Alice Rizzo on 26 February 1971, is a singer of French, Armenian and Italian descent, who came to prominence playing the role of Esmeralda in the French musical ''Notre Dame de Paris''. She has sold ov ...

*German: "Das Ja zum Leben" by

Milva Maria Ilva Biolcati, (; 17 July 1939 – 23 April 2021), known as Milva (), was an Italian singer, stage and film actress, and television personality. She was also known as ''La Rossa'' (Italian for "The Redhead"), due to the characteristic co ...

*Greek: "Ftes esi" by Mando *Persian: "Bargard Be Man" by Shani Rigsbee *English: "Harem" by Sarah Brightman.

"Harem"

"Harem" is a song by classical crossover artist Sarah Brightman, released on November 4, 2003 based on the music of "Canção do Mar". It was the first single taken from her 2003 album of the same name. "Harem" ranked number 1 on the ''Billboard'' dance/club charts. In

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Brightman was quoted as saying "I've loved this song for ages," she said. "In our version, I wanted it to have a contemporary, Arabian Nights feel - love, the desert, passion and fire, but also with a dance feeling."

Critical reception

In a review of Brightman's "

Harem Harem ( Persian: حرمسرا ''haramsarā'', ar, حَرِيمٌ ''ḥarīm'', "a sacred inviolable place; harem; female members of the family") refers to domestic spaces that are reserved for the women of the house in a Muslim family. A har ...

" album and " Harem World Tour", Larry Womack for the Oroville Mercury-Register declared "she fuses the modern with the classical into a single piece" and "truly shines" clarifying "The title song (and opening number), augments de Brito and Trindade's melody 'Cancao do Mar' with a dance arrangement by

Frank Peterson Frank Peterson (born 29 December 1963) is a German music producer known for his work with Enigma and artists such as Sarah Brightman, Ofra Haza, Gregorian, Princessa, and Andrea Bocelli on his first international album, '' Romanza''. Peters ...

, as well as English lyrics by Brightman and

Roxanne Seeman Roxanne Joy Seeman is an American songwriter and lyricist. She is best known for her songs by Billie Hughes, Philip Bailey, Phil Collins, Earth, Wind & Fire, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, The Sisters of Mercy, The Jacksons, Jacky Cheung, and in ...

" and calling it "the artist's most inspired show opening to date. Karl Low for The Voice Magazine opined "A fan of dance or world music will appreciate this track as it skillfully blends both the

middle-eastern The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (Europea ...

sounds and modern dance, with Sarah's operatic vocals providing a great counterpoint." Steve Morse for the

Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe'' is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, and has a total circulation of close to 300,000 print and digital subscribers. ''The Boston Glob ...

wrote: "Bedecked in a regal belly dancing costume with a thin, billowing fabric around her shoulders, Brightman started her two-set show with the title track "Harem"... backed by a 20-piece orchestra..."

Track listing

#"Harem (Canção Do Mar)" (

Hex Hector Hex Hector (born Héctor Ortiz on April 15, 1965) is an American music producer and remixer. He won a Grammy Award in 2001 for Best Remixer. He was born in Manhattan, New York, of a Puerto Rican mother and Cuban Cuban may refer to: * Something ...

Vocal Mix) – 10:02 #"Harem (Canção Do Mar)" (

Robbie Rivera Roberto "Robbie" Rivera (born 1973) is a house music producer and DJ born in Puerto Rico. He has an extensive catalog of original productions and remixes to his credit, ranging from tribal to progressive house, as well as incorporating garage ...

Vocal Mix) – 6:32 #"Harem (Canção Do Mar)" ( Manny Lehman Vocal Mix) – 11:05 #"It's a Beautiful Day" (Groove Brothers Remix) – 3:28

References

External links

* * {{authority control 2003 singles Sarah Brightman songs Songs written by Roxanne Seeman Songs written by Frank Peterson 2003 songs Song recordings produced by Frank Peterson Fado Songs in Portuguese 1961 songs 1955 singles 1961 singles 1996 singles English-language Portuguese songs Songs in Spanish Songs in French Songs in German Songs in Greek Songs in Persian