Tico-Tico no Fubá
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Tico-Tico no Fubá is the title of a renowned Brazilian choro music piece composed by Zequinha de Abreu in 1917. Its original title was Tico-Tico no Farelo, but since Brazilian guitarist Américo Jacomino Canhoto (1889 – 1928) had a work with the same title, Abreu's work was given its present name in 1931.
Choro (literally translated meaning lament) is also popularly known as chorinho in the affectionate diminutive form of Brazilian Portuguese. "Fubá" is a type of maize flour, and "tico-tico" is the name of a bird, the rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis). Hence, "tico-tico no fubá" means "tico-tico in the cornmeal".
The first recording of the work was made by Orquestra Colbaz (Columbia 22029, 1931).
Tico-Tico no Fubá was recorded and made popular internationally by Carmen Miranda (who performed it onscreen in Copacabana (1947)) and Ray Conniff. Another well known recording was made by first lady of the organ, Miss Ethel Smith on the Hammond organ.
A biographical movie by the same title was produced in 1952 by the Brazilian film studio Companhia Cinematográfica Vera Cruz with Anselmo Duarte playing the main role.
The song was also featured in the "Aquarela do Brasil" segment of the Walt Disney film Saludos Amigos (1942) and in Woody Allen's Radio Days (1987). It was also featured in the MGM film Bathing Beauty (1943).
The expression also features in the lyrics to the song O Pato made famous by João Gilberto.
The great flamenco guitarist Paco De lucia performed Tico, tico in 1967 Watch Watch Paco De Lucia Tico tico guitar version
Lyrics
The complete version of Aloysio de Oliveira's original Portuguese lyrics: O tico tico tá, tá outra vez aqui, Mas por favor tira esse bicho do celeiro, Eu já fiz tudo para ver se conseguia. Loose translation of the original lyrics: The tico tico is here, it is here again, But please take this animal off my granary, I have done everything to see if I could, |
English version (not a translation): Oh tico-tico tick! For just a birdie, and a birdie who goes no-where, Oh-oh, I hear my little tico-tico calling, |
Miscellaneous
This was often performed by the Grateful Dead during their tuning jams which often happened in between songs.
This song was also played as an instrumental by James Booker with the Jerry Garcia Band.
In Quebec the song has been used for several decades in commercials for Sico paint.
The song was recorded by The Andrews Sisters in 1944.