Samba de Orly

The Samba de Orly was born at a time of deep reflection for Chico Buarque. Composed alongside Toquinho between 1969 and 1970, with the collaboration of Vinicius de Moraes, this musical piece was conceived during Buarque’s self-imposed exile in Italy. The context was the political persecution in Brazil, intensified after the implementation of AI-5 in 1968. After a brief arrest, Buarque traveled to Europe in January 1969, intending a short stay that lasted fourteen months. It was in Italy where Toquinho joined him for a series of concerts that ultimately did not materialize, but this encounter led to the creation of the song that portrays the period of Buarque’s absence from his country.

The final lyrics of the Samba de Orly were completed in 1970, after Toquinho showed a piece he was composing. In that same year, Chico Buarque shared the full lyrics with Toquinho and Vinicius de Moraes, who suggested a modification. Curiously, censorship rejected the initial version, flagging Moraes’ phrase as potentially subversive. After consulting a lawyer, Buarque adjusted the lyrics, replacing a section to avoid political interpretations, thus securing its approval in October 1971. Although Toquinho departed from Italy via Fiumicino Airport in Rome, the song’s title refers to Orly Airport in France, a common arrival point for those fleeing Brazil’s situation. The song was first recorded in 1971 and featured on the album Construção.