Samba de Janeiro

"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 (1997-05-05)
Genre	Eurodance Latin house
Length	2:49
Label	Orbit Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Gottfried Engels Ramon Zenker Airto Moreira Hugo Fattoruso
Producer(s)	Gottfried Engels Ramon Zenker
Bellini singles chronology
"Samba de Janeiro" (1997) "Carnaval" (1997)
Music video
"Samba de Janeiro" on YouTube

Despite bearing this name, the track is not a samba, but a Eurodance and Latin house track, and the song is little known in Brazil.

In 2014, the group released a new version with additional lyrics, and three vocalists titled "Samba do Brasil", to celebrate the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, both held in Brazil.^[2] In 2022, a new arrangement of this song was created by YouNotUs and Louis III, entitled simply "Samba".

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" peaked at number one in Hungary and number two in both Germany and Switzerland. It entered the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, 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 during its first week on the UK Singles Chart, on 21 September 1997.^[5] It also charted 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.

Legacy

The melody of "Samba de Janeiro" was played during the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship after every goal.^[6] 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.^[7]

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. It would go on to be used in various crossover games featuring Samba de Amigo characters and locations, such as Sega Superstars Tennis and Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing.

"Samba de Janeiro" (Club Mix) was featured on Fox animated series The Simpsons episode "You Don't Have to Live Like a Referee".

Track listings

12-inch single "Samba de Janeiro" (Original Version) – 5:38 "Samba de Janeiro" (Peter Parker Rmx) – 5:52 CD single "Samba de Janeiro" (Radio Edit) – 2:50 "Samba de Janeiro" (Club Mix) – 5:38 "Samba de Janeiro" (Vanity Back Yard Remix) – 5:18 "Samba de Janeiro" (Peter Parker Remix) – 5:52 "Samba de Janeiro" (John Acquaviva Remix) – 7:59 "Samba de Janeiro" (Merlyn Remix) – 6:00 CD maxi "Samba de Janeiro" (Radio Edit) – 2:50 "Samba de Janeiro" (Club Mix) – 5:38 "Samba de Janeiro" (Vanity Back Yard Remix) – 5:18 "Samba de Janeiro" (Peter Parker Remix) – 5:52

Cassette single "Samba de Janeiro" (Radio Edit) – 2:50 "Samba de Janeiro" (Club Mix) – 5:38 "Samba de Janeiro" (Vanity Back Yard Mix) – 5:18 "Samba de Janeiro" (Radio Edit) – 2:50 "Samba de Janeiro" (Club Mix) – 5:38 "Samba de Janeiro" (Vanity Back Yard Mix) – 5:18

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1997–2013) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 4 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[10] 4 Belgium Dance (Ultratop)[11] 16 Denmark (IFPI)[12] 8 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 3 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[14] 6 France (SNEP)[15] 3 Germany (GfK)[16] 2 Hungary (Mahasz)[17] 1 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[18] 7 Ireland (IRMA)[19] 6 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 7 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] 10 Norway (VG-lista)[22] 12 Scotland (OCC)[23] 6 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 23 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 2 UK Singles (OCC)[5] 8 UK Dance (OCC)[26] 12 UK Indie (Music Week)[27] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[28] 15 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[29] 41 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[30] 22 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[31] 14 Germany (Media Control)[32] 10 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[33] 50 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 54 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[35] 51 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 13

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[37]	Gold	25,000*
Belgium (BRMA)[38]	Gold	25,000*
France (SNEP)[39]	Gold	250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[40]	Platinum	500,000^
Italy (FIMI)[41]	Gold	50,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[42]	Gold	25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[43]	Silver	200,000‡
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Europe	5 May 1997	CD	Orbit Virgin	[16]
Japan	3 September 1997		Virgin	[44]