Ouça was introduced by Maysa in May 1957 as the A-side to Fernando César’s Segredo and was subsequently included on her second album, Maysa, in August. Ouça was her debut on the 7″ single format, having unusually launched her career in November 1956 with the successful album Convite para Ouvir Maysa, rather than first releasing a series of singles. Written by herself and arranged by Rafael Puglielli, Ouça became Maysa’s biggest hit, reaching number 2 in the year-end charts of 1958.
Carlos José was the first to pick up Ouça in July 1957 and also landed a hit with it. He was followed in August by Uruguayan singer-composer Luis Alberto Fleitas, with Spanish lyrics entitled Mi Soledad. Recorded by Maysa as a samba-canção, Fleitas’ version, arranged by Ruben Perez ‘Pocho’, was the first to be recorded as a tango, followed in 1958 by Argentinean Miguel Caló and in 1960 by his compatriot Osvaldo Tarantino as well as Nino Mafra.
With lyrics by Victória Eugênia, Gregório Barrios also recorded a Spanish version titled Hoy in 1957, arranged by Luis Arruda Paes.
In 1958, Vanja Orico, accompanied by João Leal Brito ‘Britinho’, recorded a French version with lyrics by Maurice Pon, titled Toi Si Loin de Moi. These were also recorded the following year by French crooner Jean Sablon on his EP Cigale.
Sandy Lee, American-born and married to the bandleader’s brother Ruy Rey, recorded her version as a rock ballad with her own English lyrics titled Listen.
Ouça became one of the most famous torch songs of its time with over 130 versions to date.
Selected recordings of Ouça:
1. Maysa from the single Ouça b/w Segredo (1957, RGE 10.047), the album Maysa (1957, RGE RLP 015) and the EP Ouça (1958, RGE EP-90014)
2. Carlos José from the single Foi an Noite b/w Ouça (1957, Polydor 228) and the album Revelação (1957, Polydor LPNG 4013)
3. Luis Alberto Fleitas from the single Mi Soledad (Ouça) b/w Tu Corazon (1957, RGE RGE 10.055) and the album Tango, Amor e Penumbra (1957, RGE RLP 010)
4. Ruben Perez ‘Pocho’ from the album Parada Dançante Nº 1 (1957, RGE XRLP 5005)
5. Gregório Barrios from the album Ouça (1957, Odeon MOCB 3010)
6. Waldir Calmon from the album Feito Para Dançar Nº 8 (1957, Rádio 0057-GV)
7. Leny Caldeira from the album Esta Noite Serenou (1957, Columbia LPCB 35053)
8. Avena de Castro from the album Suave e Dançante (1958, Odeon MOFB 3055)
9. Bené Nunes from the album Bené Nunes e Seu Piano (1958, Continental LPP 3042)
10. Miguel Caló from the album Samba em Tempo do Tango (1958, Odeon MOCB 3018)
11. João Leal Brito ‘Britinho’ aka Pierre Kolmann featuring Toni Vestane from the album Para Dançar (1958, Musidisc Hi-Fi 2015), also released on Toni Vestane‘s EP Ouça (1958, Musidisc HI-FI 5028)
12. Paulo Moura from the album Escolha…e Dance (1958, Sinter SLP 1743)
13. Fats Elpídio from the album Música e Penumbra Vol. 2 (1958, RCA Victor BPL 19)
14. Duda from the album Vai Comecar O Baile (1958, Continental LPP 3015)
15. Vanja Orico from the single L’edera (Merci) b/w Toi Si Loin de Moi (Ouça) (1958, Sinter 594)
16. Steve Bernard from the album Mosaico (1958, Odeon MOCB 3029)
17. Aldo Taranto from the album Sonhos, Amor e Violinos (1959, Internacional CID 27001)
18. Irany Pinto from the album Sambas em Surdina (1959, Odeon MOFB 3100)
19. Sandy Lee from the album Blue Ballad (1959, Hi-Fi 2038)
20. Sandoval Dias from the album A Músiсa de Мaуsa (1959, Sinter SLP 1771)
21. Mário Gennari Filho from the album Hum… Mmmm… É Bom Dançar (1960, Imperial/Odeon IMP 30.011)
22. Osvaldo Tarantino from the album Sambas em Tango (1960, XRLP 5086)
23. Lalo Schifrin from the album Bossa Nova – New Brazilian Jazz (1962, Audio Fidelity AFLP 1981 and Audio Fidelity [USA] AFSD 5981)
24. Walter Wanderley e Portinho from the album Órgão, Sax e Sexy (1964, Philips P 632.721 L)
Artwork for Órgão, Sax e Sexy by Paulo Brèves
25. Conjunto de Fred e Richard from the album No. 4, fourth of five albums of the boxset Grande Baile Vol. 1 (1966?, Multisound/Discastro, GED 1004-B)
26. Luiz Carlos Ismail from the single Lero-Lero b/w Ouça (1969, CBS 33600)
Selected medleys including Ouça:
1. Octeto Columbia e João Leal Brito ‘Britinho’ from the album Boleros (1959, Entré/CBS 4007)
2. Maysa from the album Canecão Apresenta Maysa (1969, Copacabana CLP 11582)
3. Dóris Monteiro e Miltinho from the album Dóris, Miltinho e Charme (1970, Odeon MOFB 3649)
Selected recordings of Ouça originally not issued in Brazil:
1. Jean Sablon from the EP Cigales (1959, La Voix de Son Maître [France] 7 EGF 442)
Maysa performing Ouça in the 1958 film comedy O Camelô da Rua Larga, accompanied by Radamés Gnatalli and his orchestra
OUÇA
Ouça, vá viver • Sua vida com outro bem • Hoje eu já cansei • De pra você não ser ninguém
O passado não foi o bastante • Pra lhe convencer • Que o futuro seria bem grande • Só eu e você
Quando a lembrança • Com você for morar • E bem baixinho • De saudade você chorar
Vai lembrar que um dia existiu • Um alguém que só carinho pediu • E você fez questão de não dar • Fez questão de negar
Quando a lembrança • Com você for morar • E bem baixinho • De saudade você chorar
Vai lembrar que um dia existiu • Um alguém que só carinho pediu • E você fez questão de não dar • Fez questão de negar
Brazilliance 