About the artist
Chico Buarque is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, playwright and novelist, one of the most celebrated figures in Música Popular Brasileira (MPB). Born in Rio de Janeiro into an intellectual family — his father was the historian Sérgio Buarque de Hollanda — he grew up surrounded by writers and musicians, and his sister Miúcha later became a noted singer herself. He abandoned architecture studies in the mid-1960s to pursue music, breaking through with «A Banda» in 1966, a song that became an instant national hit and marked the start of a prolific career.
Throughout the military dictatorship years, Buarque became known for lyrics rich in metaphor and double meaning, using allegory to evade censorship while addressing repression, inequality and everyday Brazilian life. Songs like «Cálice» — a pun on «cale-se» (shut up) — and «Construção», with its dense, inverted verse structure, are considered landmarks of Brazilian songwriting. His melodic sensibility blends samba, bossa nova and traditional Brazilian popular song with sharp, literary lyricism.
Beyond music, Buarque built a parallel career as a novelist and playwright, and collaborated widely with figures such as Tom Jobim, Gilberto Gil, Elis Regina and Maria Bethânia. His work has earned major honors, including a Latin Grammy for Best Brazilian Popular Music Album. Decades after his debut, he remains a defining voice of Brazilian culture, admired equally for his musical craft and his role as a chronicler of his country's history.
Popular tracks
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Discography
Álbum Blanco Para Silvio Rodríguez
2025
Que Tal Um Samba? (Ao Vivo)
2023
Minhas Primeiras Gravações
2018
Caravanas
2017
Chico Buarque de Hollanda na Itália (Relançamento)
2016
Os Primeiros Clássicos
2015
Na Carreira (Ao Vivo)
2012
Umas e Outras
2012
Umas e Outras (Versão Digital)
2012
Chico
2011
Carioca - Ao Vivo
2007
Carioca
2006
Chico No Cinema Vol. 1
2005
Chico No Cinema Vol. 2
2005
As Cidades
1998
Chico Buarque Essencial (Box)
1997
Terra - EP
1997
Terra
1997
Uma Palavra
1995
Chico Buarque: Ao Vivo
1995
Chico 50 Anos - O Politico
1994
Chico 50 Anos - O Trovador
1994
Chico 50 Anos - O Cronista
1994
Chico 50 Anos - O Amante
1994
Chico 50 Anos - O Malandro
1994
Paratodos
1993
A Arte de Chico Buarque (1990)
1990
Chico Buarque Ao Vivo - Paris, Le Zenith
1990
Chico Buarque (1989)
1989
Dança da Meia-Lua
1988
Francisco
1987
Chico Buarque (1984)
1984
O Grande Circo Místico
1983
A Arte de Chico Buarque, Vol. II
1982
Chico Buarque en Español
1982
Almanaque
1981
A Arte do Encontro 5
1981
Vida
1980
A Obra de Chico Buarque
1979
João e Maria / Solitude
1979
Ópera do Malandro
1979
Chico Buarque (1978)
1978
O Cio da Terra / Primeiro de Maia
1977
Meus Caros Amigos
1976
Chico Buarque & Maria Bethania (Live 1975)
1975
A Arte de Chico Buarque (1975)
1975
Sinal Fechado
1974
Chico Canta (Trilha Sonora da Peça ”Calabar: o Elogio da Traição”)
1973
Caetano e Chico Juntos e Ao Vivo
1972
Quando O Carnaval Chegar
1972
Construção
1971
Per Un Pugno Di Samba
1970
Chico Buarque de Hollanda Nº4
1970
Apesar de Você / Desalento
1970
Chico Buarque - Single
Chico Buarque de Hollanda Nº 4
1970
Quando O Carnaval Chegar
Os Saltimbancos
Os Saltimbancos Trapalhões
Sabiá / Samba Erudito / Retrato em Branco e Preto / Praça Clóvis
1969
A Banda / Madalena Foi pro Mar / Você Não Ouviu / A Rita
1969
Chico Buarque de Hollanda na Itália
1969
Onde É Que Você Estava / Umas e Outras / Benvinda / Até Pensei
1969
Far Niente / Una Mia Canzone
1969
Onde É Que Você Estava / Umas e Outras
1969
Cara Cara / Ciao Ciao Addio
1969
Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Volume 3
1968
Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Vol. 3
1968
Bom Tempo / Pedro Pedreiro / Sem Fantasia / Sonho de Um Carnaval
1968
Bom Tempo / Ela Desatinou
1968
Samba Erudito / Praça Clóvis
1968
Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Vol. 2
1967
Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Volume 2
1967
Chico Buarque de Hollanda
1966
Pedro Pedreiro / Sonho de um Carnaval (Ao Vivo)
1965