Jorge Palma (1950-2026): the songs that will never die
On Tuesday, Portugal woke in mourning: Jorge Palma died at 76 after a cardiac arrest. The artist is gone, but his songs endure. Euronews asked Herman José and António Zambujo for their favourite song.
Jorge Palma, one of Portugal's most influential singers, lyricists, and composers, passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a rich legacy of music that will endure for generations. In the video released in his memory, friends and family pay tribute to the man whose extraordinary musical personality captivated audiences from the very first chord to the final inflection of his voice. While the world mourns his departure, it is clear that Jorge Palma's songs will continue to be part of Portuguese culture and soul.
Several people close to the singer, including actors, musicians, and journalists, shared their favorite tracks and reflections on his work. For Herman José, one of Palma's most memorable moments was from their collaboration during the 1974 revolution. The comedian recalls Palma as a singular musician who never needed to resemble anyone else to be recognized. His song of choice is "Deixa-me Rir" from the album "O Lado Errado da Noite" (1985).
António Zambujo, a singer and songwriter from Beja, found it unfair to choose just one Palma song but selected "O Meu amor Existe" from the 1991 album "Só." He considers this record to be the best in Portuguese music history and praises Palma's ability to write serious things without losing his irreverence. Gabriel Gomes, a musician and composer, lost a friend and hero in Palma and highlights "Passos em Volta" from the album "Bairro do Amor" as his favorite.
He shares the stage with Palma at the Artes à Vila festival and describes his memory as one of a man who opened the window and flew away.
Tiago Cação, an artistic agent with a long career in the music and entertainment industries, admits he never wanted to meet Palma but will never forget his song "Sonhadores inatos." He identifies with the idea of never stopping dreaming despite life's inevitabilities. Fernando Vendrell, a director known for films such as "Aparição" and "Sombras Brancas," remembers Palma as an extraordinary writer of songs.
He considers his melodies graceful and unique, bringing together a world that belonged to or was desired by many. Ana Margarida de Carvalho, a journalist and writer, recalls Palma's virtuosity on various instruments and chooses "Eu Fui um Lobo Malvado" from the album "Acto Contínuo" (1982) as her favorite. She considers it an anthem and a beautiful song about friendship and reconciliation.
Fernando's directorial work, "Frágil" from "Bairro do Amor" (1989), also stands out in his memory of the late singer.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
