Song of
Jilted Love

A composer, who for more than three decades has been singing of unrequited love and betrayed lovers, has become an unexpected sensation and cult singer among the Brazilian middle-class in the South with a song he composed and has been performing for 14 years. The tune is called "Garçon" and the composer is the Recifense (from Recife, state of Pernambuco) raised in Rio, Reginaldo Rossi, 54.

Rossi sings a kind of campy music known as brega, whose lyrics tell stories with such exaggerated colors and drama that they become funny and cult. He went back to his hometown Recife in the 70's looking for the applause and fame he was not getting in the Rio-São Paulo axis and there became King of the Romantic Song in the Northeast. Rossi had started composing songs for the Jovem Guarda movement. He is the author, for example, of "O Pão" (The Hunk), which in 1966 became a hit sung by Sérgio Murilo.

The recent fame of the singer/composer came through Bahia. It was the singing of "Garçon" by celebrities such as Beijo and Cheiro de Amor bands as well as Jamil e uma Noites and Ricardo Chaves that has spread the tune as a legitimate Baiano sound and given it extra appeal.

Rossi has been enjoying his sudden fame. In a recent interview with Rio's daily Jornal do Brasil he said: "Before, in every bar party people would sing `Boemia, aqui me tens de regresso...' (Bohemia, you have me back here). Today everyone sings "Garçon."" He also explained the popularity of the tune: "It expresses in a simple way the drama that everyone from the trashman to the President faces one day: the pain to be betrayed by the woman he loves."

With admitted flourishes for dramatic impact, Rossi introduces his songs on shows or CDs with a text that explains the origin of the tune. Before singing "Garçon" he tells that he used to be a "scoundrel who betrayed his little woman three times a week" until he finds her in bed with Ronaldinho, who says: "I've already scored 15 goals." He doesn't commit any violence against the man or the woman but goes to a bar, where he composes the song, which gets the immediate verdict: "It will be a smashing hit".

To the press Rossi gives another version. According to it, he was once visited by a singer friend who complained to be without money and to have been betrayed by his wife. The song was done in three days. The composer felt he had a hit on his hands, but resisted the temptation to sing it himself. But that's what he ended up doing anyway when the producer felt that his friend didn't have the right voice for that kind of song.

The new version of "Garçon" released last year by Sony has already sold around 300,000 copies. The CD also contains, among other tunes, "A Raposa e as Uvas" (The Fox and the Grapes), French-titled "Mon Amour, Meu Bem, Ma Femme" (My Love, My Sweetie, My Wife) and "Tô Doidão" (I'm Stir Crazy).

Rossi attributes his success to his sloppy way of doing his shows. "My show has no scenario, no direction, no dancers. I get on stage not knowing what I am going to sing. That's why I've been singing for 30 years."

Garçon Reginaldo Rossi Garçon, aqui nessa mesa de bar Você já cansou de escutar Centenas de casos de amor Garçon, no bar todo mundo é igual Meu caso é mais um, é banal Mas preste atenção, por favor Saiba que o meu grande amor Hoje vai se casar E mandou uma carta pra me avisar Deixou em pedaços o meu coração E pra matar a tristeza, só mesa de bar Quero tomar todas Vou me embriagar Se eu pegar no sono Me deite no chão Garçon, eu sei que eu tô enchendo o saco Mas todo bebum fica chato Valente, e tem toda razão Garçon, mas eu só quero chorar Eu vou minha conta pagar Por isso eu lhe peço atenção

Waiter   Waiter, here on this bar table You're tired of listening To hundreds of love stories Waiter, in the bar everyone is equal My case is just another one, it's banal But pay attention, please See, my great love Is getting married today And sent me a letter to tell me Leaving my heart in pieces And to ease the sadness, only a table of a bar I want to drink all I'm getting drunk If I fall asleep Lay me down on the floor Waiter, I know I am getting on your nerves But all drunks become pests Bully, and are always right Waiter, but all I want is to cry I'm going to pay my bill So I ask your attention

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