Samba de Janeiro

"Samba de Janeiro"
Original version cover
Single by Bellini
from the album Samba de Janeiro
Released 5 May 1997
Genre
Length 2:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Gottfried Engels
  • Ramon Zenker
Bellini singles chronology
"Samba de Janeiro"
(1997) 		"Carnaval"
(1997)
Music video
"Samba de Janeiro" on YouTube

"Samba de Janeiro" (Portuguese pronunciation: [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.

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. Bright, breezy, commercial and a hit whose time has come."

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. 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.

Legacy

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

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria) Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA) Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP) Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI) Platinum 500,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) 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
Japan 3 September 1997 Virgin