From fado to pop, our city has been the inspiring muse of several artists for their Lisbon songs.
There are many songs that speak of the city and evoke it, sometimes beautifully, sometimes melancholy. And it’s not just fado that does it, the new generation of national music doesn’t forget the capital when it comes to singing.
We’ve selected several songs from Lisbon that talk about the city and that we think all Lisboners should know.
They represent various genres, so there’s music for all tastes!
The order is chronological, to reflect the evolution of national music over the last few decades. Are you ready? “One, two, sound!”
Playlist of songs that sing Lisbon:
“Lá Vai Lisboa” | Beatriz Costa (1935)
With lyrics by Norberto de Araújo and music by Raul Ferrão, “Lá Vai Lisboa” was Lisbon’s first Grand March.
The first artist to sing it was Beatriz Costa, in 1935, and it’s still a current theme that everyone knows how to sing and that is heard in unison on Avenida da Liberdade during the Lisbon Marches.
“Lisboa Antiga” | Amália Rodrigues (1957)
For many, Amália and Lisbon are synonymous. The truth is that the fado singer sang better than anyone about the neighborhoods and alleys of Mouraria and the sidewalks and alleys of Alfama.
The fado “Lisboa Antiga”, composed by Raul Portela with lyrics by José Galhardo and Amadeu do Vale, dates from 1937 and was sung by various voices, from Hermínia Silva to Roberto Leal.
We chose to hear it in the inimitable voice of Amália, who recorded it for the first time in 1957 on Amália à l’Olympia.
“Cheira Bem, Cheira a Lisboa” | Anita Guerreiro (1969)
A fado singer for over 60 years, Anita Guerreiro immortalized another of the musical hits that portray the capital. It’s a march and it’s “Cheira Bem, Cheira a Lisboa”, a song that seems to be part of our collective memory.
The story of its creation is funny: conductor Carlos Dias had the music ready but no lyrics. César Oliveira, while crossing Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, heard a boy say that exact phrase – “Smells good, smells like Lisbon” – and from there came the inspiration for the rest of the song. Anita Guerreiro interpreted it and we Portuguese have never forgotten it.
“Lisboa Menina e Moça” | Carlos do Carmo (1976)
If you’re from Lisbon, this song will always make you feel half emotional, half proud. Since Carlos do Carmo’s death, “Lisboa Menina e Moça” has been the city’s official song, a more than deserved tribute to this great fado artist.
With a poem by Ary dos Santos, Fernando Tordo and Joaquim Pessoa and music by Paulo de Carvalho, it is a composition of exceptional beauty that personifies the city in an incomparable way. It is undoubtedly one of the greatest hits of Portuguese music and, in particular, of the great fado singer Carlos do Carmo.
On the day Carlos do Carmo received the Grammy “Lifetime Achievement Award”, Rádio Comercial paid him a very special tribute and invited 35 artists to sing the song. Each one was responsible for a phrase, and musicians from all genres and generations took part: Rui Reininho, Carlão, Luísa Sobral and Raquel Tavares are just a few examples. Watch the video here.
“Lisboa Que Amanhece” | Sérgio Godinho (1986)
Although best known for the version with Caetano Veloso from the 2013 album Irmão do Meio, “Lisboa Que Amanhece” was originally recorded in 1986 for the album Na Vida Real.
It’s a modern-day tribute to the capital, in which it is described in a sublime way as the scene of romantic passions and bohemian life.
“Loucos de Lisboa” | Ala dos Namorados (1994)
Ala dos Namorados’ debut album, released in 1994, featured “Loucos de Lisboa”, with lyrics by João Monge and music by João Gil.
Nuno Guerreiro’s voice was the perfect finish to a song about the wandering characters who inhabit the city’s streets.
“Lisboa” | Tara Perdida (2013)
On Dono Do Mundo(2013), Tara Perdida included “Lisboa” in the line-up. The song, highly melancholic, nostalgic and emotional, speaks of departures and the goodbye to the city that is sometimes said without meaning to. It’s a song that breaks with the usual sound of Tara Perdida, pioneers of the Portuguese punk-rock movement.
After the disappearance of João Ribas, the group’s lead singer, Tim from Xutos & Pontapés continued to collaborate on the interpretation of this song at the concerts in homage to Ribas.
“Midnight in Lisbon” | Richie Campbell (2017)
Richie Campbell is part of the new generation of Portuguese music and has proven to be a talented musician, selling out venues all over the country.
First more linked to reggae, now closer to dancehall and R&B, Richie released “Midnight in Lisbon” in 2017, as the lead single from Lisboa, released the same year. And there’s no greater declaration of love for the capital than an album with his name on it, right?
“Nova Lisboa” | Dino d’Santiago (2018)
Dino d’Santiago was inspired by his Cape Verdean roots and African vibes, took electronic sounds and R&B, felt Lisbon and made magic in Mundu Nôbu.
In his music, you can feel the Lisbon inside Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique and São Tomé and “Nova Lisboa” is a faithful portrait of the city today, where nationalities, new cultures and various trends come together in an artistic and creative whirlwind. “It’s hot, Lisbon”!