"Samba de Janeiro" (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈsɐ̃bɐ dʒi ʒɐˈnejɾu]) is a song by German pop group Bellini. It was released on 5 May 1997 in Germany as the lead single from their debut album of the same name (1997). The song was a hit throughout Europe, reaching number-one in Hungary and the top 10 in at least 12 countries. It interpolates the chorus of Airto Moreira's 1972 song "Tombo in 7/4", as well as samples the drum rhythm from Moreira's "Celebration Suite". "Samba de Janeiro" won the award for best dance single at the 7th annual Echo Awards.[1]
| "Samba de Janeiro" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Original version cover | ||||
| Single by Bellini | ||||
| from the album Samba de Janeiro | ||||
| Released | 5 May 1997 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:49 | |||
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Bellini singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Samba de Janeiro" on YouTube | ||||
In 2014, the group released a new version with additional lyrics, titled "Samba do Brasil", to celebrate the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, both held in Brazil.[2]
Critical reception
Alan Jones from Music Week wrote, "Fitting in with the current vogue for all things Latin, Bellini's Samba De Janeiro is maddeningly familiar from first hearing — probably because fellow Virgin recording act The Heartists' single 'Belo Horizonti' is essentially the same song.[3] Bright, breezy, commercial and a hit whose time has come."[4]
Chart performance
"Samba de Janeiro" was very successful on the charts in Europe, peaking at number-one in Hungary and it was a number two hit in both Germany and Switzerland. It made it to the top 10 also in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Scotland and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where the single reached number three. In the UK, it peaked at number eight in its first week at the UK Singles Chart, on September 21, 1997.[5] It charted also on the UK Dance Chart, peaking at number 12. Additionally, "Samba de Janeiro" was a top 20 hit in Norway and a top 30 hit in Sweden.
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single. It was later published on YouTube in August 2017. As of June 2022, it has more than 25.7 million views.[6]
Legacy
The melody of "Samba de Janeiro" was played during the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship after every goal.[7] It was also used as goal music for Norwich City F.C. from 1998-2013 and from 2018-present, featuring as the club's official goal music in the video game FIFA 23.[8]
The song was also featured in the 1999 arcade video game Samba de Amigo, which was later released for the Dreamcast in 2000 and the Wii in 2008.
Track listings
Charts
Year-end charts
| Chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[29] | 15 |
| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[30] | 41 |
| Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[31] | 22 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[32] | 14 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[33] | 10 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[34] | 50 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[35] | 54 |
| Romania (Romanian Top 100)[36] | 51 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[37] | 13 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[38] | Gold | 25,000* |
| Belgium (BEA)[39] | Gold | 25,000* |
| France (SNEP)[40] | Gold | 250,000* |
| Germany (BVMI)[41] | Platinum | 500,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[42] | Gold | 25,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[43] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 5 May 1997 | CD |
| [17] |
| Japan | 3 September 1997 | Virgin | [44] |