Seu Jorge and Paulo Ricardo release Brazilian version of Marvin Gaye classic

Brazilian musicians Seu Jorge and Paulo Ricardo have released ‘Sangue Bom’, an official Portuguese-language version of Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic ‘What’s Going On’. The collaboration, which was authorized by Gaye’s family, took over a decade to finalize.

While the original song addressed police violence and the Vietnam War, the new version adapts the message to focus on contemporary issues such as violence against women and children, intolerance, and the importance of empathy. The lyrics are not a literal translation, featuring a modified chorus that includes the phrase ‘eu sei que sangue do meu sangue/ é sangue bom’.

The artists, who have known each other for approximately 20 years, described the project as a long-held dream that required years of dedication to ensure respect for the original work.