O Grande Amor

Haja o que houver
há sempre um homem para uma mulher
E há de sempre haver
para esquecer um falso amor
E uma vontade de morrer

Seja como for
há de vencer o grande amor,
Que há de ser no coração
Como um perdão pra quem chorou

Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes (1960)
Vocal: Paula Morelenbaum
Cello: Jaques Morelenbaum
Piano: Ryuichi Sakamoto
Recorded and shot at the House of Jobim, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Paula: This song has a solo intro by Ryuichi that contrasts with the rhythm that follows, the percussion and the cello creating a typical "samba-cancao" (slow samba) mood. During the recording sessions, this was the favorite track for all of us involved, and whenever we listened to it, we started dancing.

Jaques: Paulo Jobim brought us the manuscript of this pre-bossa nova jewel, a samba that Ryuichi presents to us in his inspired introduction as a classical "lied." This song features the enormous talent of percussionist Marco Suzano, playing the surdo, pandeiro and cuica.

Ryuichi: While we were recording, Jaques suddenly said, "The intro should be just you on the piano, Ryuichi." So I put this intro together on the spot.