Solidão was introduced in early 1954 by Portuguese fadista Amália da Piedade Rebordão Rodrigues, known artistically as Amália Rodrigues, as the B-side to Barco Negro (Mãe Preta). In 1955 she performed both songs in the French film drama “Les Amants du Tage” directed by Henri Verneuil and set in Lisbon and Nazaré.
The lyrics for Solidão, set to music by Ferrer Trindade, were written by the Portuguese writer and poet David Mourão-Ferreira. However, Solidão became better known under the title Canção do Mar with the less melancholic lyrics by Frederico Brito. This version was recorded in 1954 by fadista Maria da Conceição and by Jorge Sepúlveda as Canción del Mar with Spanish lyrics by Gustavo Dasca.
In Brazil, the Portuguese recordings of Amália Rodrigues and Maria da Conceição were the first to be released, as were later those of Raul Mota, Cidália Meireles, Ester de Abreu, Tristão da Silva, Francisco José and António Mestre, before Agostinho dos Santos, Olivinha Carvalho, Cauby Peixoto and Maestro Zaccarias became the first Brazilians to record Canção do Mar in 1956, followed by some 35 others up to 1970.
Internationally, Canção do Mar was recorded in 1956 as Liian Onnellinen by the Finnish singer Maynie Sirén, with lyrics by Orvokki Itä, and in 1962 as Song of the Sea by Caterina Valente, with English lyrics by Klaus Munro and Geoff Stephens, and in two instrumental versions by the Trinidadian pianist Winifred Atwell and the English composer and musical director George Melachrino.
Selected recordings of Solidão aka Canção do Mar:
1. Amália Rodrigues from the single Barco Negro (Mãe Preta) b/w Solidão (1954, Odeon X-3523), the album Amalia Rodrigues (1955, Odeon MOEB-11) and the EP Les Amants du Tage (1956, Columbia [FRA] ESRF 1034)
2. Maria da Conceição from the single Sinal da Cruz b/w Canção do Mar (1955, Odeon 13.837) and the album Mãe Pátria (1955, Odeon LDS 3013)
3. Agostinho dos Santos from the single Canção do Mar b/w Pif Paf (Dança das Damas) (1956, Polydor 181) and the album Agostinho dos Santos (1956, Polydor LPN 2004)
4. Olivinha Carvalho from the single Canção do Mar b/w Aldeia de Roupa Branca (1956, Copacabana 5.630), the album Músicas de Filmes Nº 1 (1956, Copacabana CLP 3063) and the album Portugal Canta na Voz de Olivinha Carvalho (1957, Copacabana CLP 2036)
5. Cauby Peixoto from the single Canção do Mar b/w Volta ao Passado (1956, Columbia CB-10.297)
6. Zaccarias from the album Melodias Portuguêsas em Ritmo de Fox (1956, RCA Victor BPL 3012)
7. Raul Mota from the single Canção do Mar b/w P. R. Você (1956, Copacabana 5.563)
8. Araken Peixoto from the album Quando Os Peixotos Encontram (1957, RGE XRLP 5008)
9. Paulo Burgos from the album Seleções de Portugal Nº 2 (1957, MocamboLP 10028)
10. Cidália Meireles from the album Adega da Cidália (1957, RGE XRLP 5006)
11. Waldir Calmon from the album Chá Dançante No. 3 (1957, Copacabana CLP 11012)
12. Almir Ribeiro from the single Amar Outra Vez (To Love Again) b/w Canção do Mar (1957, Copacabana 5.748) and the album Onde Estou? (1958, Copacabana CLP 11023)
13. Waldir Azevedo from the album Baile de Cavaquinho (1958, Continental LPP 3043)
14. Ester de Abreu from the album Isto é Fado (1958, RCA Victor BBL 1004)
15. Guimarães from the album Encontro no Fred’s (1958, Mocambo LP 40011)
16. Sivuca from the album Motivo Para Dançar Nº 2 (1959, CopacabanaCLP 11095)
17. Tristão da Silva from the album Ai, Se os Meus Olhos Falassem (1960, Odeon, MOFB 3188)
18. Altamiro Carrilho from the album A Bordo de Vera Cruz (1960, Copacabana CLP 11155)
19. Francisco José from the album Francisco José e as Músicas que Ninguém Esquece (1960, Philips P 630.404 L)
20. António Mestre from the album António Mestre no Corridinho (1961, RCA Victor BBL 1148)
Selected medleys including Solidão aka Canção do Mar:
1. Les 4 Cadillacs from the album Doucement Novamente (1961, Musidisc XPL-19)
Comparative recordings of Solidão aka Canção do Mar:
1. Maynie Sirén from the EP Maynie Sirén Laulaa (1956, Rytmi Neliapila [FIN] RN 4047)
2. Winifred Atwell from the EP Startime (1956, Decca [UK] DFE 6364)
3. George Melachrino from the album Lisbon at Twilight (1958, RCA [UK] SF-5034)
4. Caterina Valente from the albums Great Continental Hits (1962, Decca [UK] LK 4508) and Melodie D’Amour (1962, Decca [GER] BLK 16237-P)
Amália Rodrigues performing Solidão on Portuguese television in the mid-1960s.
SOLIDÃO
Solidão de quem tremeu – A tentação do céu e dos encantos – Eis o que o céu me deu – Serei bem eu sob este véu de pranto
Sem saber se choro algum pecado – A tremer imploro o céu fechado
Triste amor, o amor de alguém – Quando outro amor se tem abandonado – E não me abandonei – Por mim, ninguém já se detém na estrada
Triste amor, o amor de alguém – Quando outro amor se tem abandonado – E não me abandonei – Por mim, ninguém já se detém na estrada
CANÇÃO DO MAR
Fui bailar no meu batel – Além do mar cruel – E o mar bramindo – Diz que eu fui roubar – A luz sem par – Do teu olhar tão lindo
Vem saber se o mar terá razão – Vem cá ver bailar meu coração
Se eu bailar no meu batel – Não vou ao mar cruel – E nem lhe digo aonde vou cantar – Sorrir, bailar, viver, sonhar contigo
Brazilliance 