What Bossa Nova?
• Your knowledge of American pop culture is surprisingly deep in some areas and nil in others. For instance, if you’re between 25 and 50, you know a lot of American disco stars from the late ’70s and progressive/heavy rock groups from the ’60s to the early ’80s. You don’t know American punk or new wave groups, only the British ones (I can’t figure out why). You do not know, or already forgot, Chuck Berry and other black rock stars; you do not know any American country, folk or gospel singers. You don’t know many American TV and theater personalities, unless they’ve crossed over to the movies. • You know Brazilian soap opera. You consider it much better than American soaps and sitcoms. • You know Brazilian pop/rock: Paralamas do Sucesso, Barão Vermelho, Titãs. • You idolize all the great Brazilian singers/songwriters: Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Giberto Gil, Djavan, Roberto Carlos. And female singers: Gal Costa, Maria Bethânia, Elis Regina. • You consider it odd that Americans think
