Carmen Miranda

Every year the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress selects 25 recordings to be preserved for all time. One song chosen this year is “O Que Que a Bahiana Tem,” a samba recorded by Brazilian singer Carmen Miranda in 1939. Dori Caymmi, the son of the songwriter, and biographer Martha Gil-Montero explain how the song brought Brazilian music to the global marketplace — with unforeseen consequences for Miranda. Produced by Ben Manilla and Devon Strolovitch.

The Sounds of American Culture, our series highlighting works in the National Recording Registry, receives production support from the Library of Congress.