Songs are embraced and
sang in the street, along with a passing car, or in the numerous
karaokê bars that pepper the city. It is not rare to witness a small
crowd suddenly singing or dancing to a popular song just for the
pleasure of it, at a bar, on the beach, or at a fair.
Similarly to what Rio's beaches do, music in Rio de Janeiro often
bridges the gap between ages and classes - during carnival, Samba is
a clear social equalizer, and throughout the year often the young
and the elderly sing and dance to the rhythms of the same songs, in
the same places.
Cariocas love music and love their city
- as a result, many of the lyrics of numerous pop songs, Samba, and
Bossa Nova compositions are about Rio de Janeiro, or their love for
the Marvelous City. Portrayed in many loving ways, Rio de Janeiro
has been, and continues to be, the most celebrated Carioca muse.