"Chega de Saudade" (published English version is "No More Blues") is considered the first Bossa nova song. Composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim (music) and Vinícius de Moraes (lyrics) it became popular in the interpretation by João Gilberto . It was first recorded by Elizete Cardoso on her album Canção do Amor Demais (1958) but the public did not take much notice of that release. Gilberto's own recording, released in July, 1958 as a single, made it a hit.
The title can be translated roughly as "enough longing", though the Portuguese word saudade carries with it a far more complex meaning. The word implies an intensity of heartfelt connection that is yearned for passionately; not unlike feeling withdrawal symptoms from a drug that makes one feel good. Another good analogy might be an intense homesickness. Chega, in this case, means no more, enough.
It has been recorded by jazz and rock performers, with the English language title "No More Blues". English lyrics have been written by Jon Hendricks and "Jessie Cavanaugh" (actually a pseudonym for music publisher Howard S. Richmond)
In 2000, the João Gilberto version was made a member of the Grammy Hall of Fame. A year later, in 2001, the album which it came from, Gilberto's album Chega de Saudade, was made an inaugural member of the Latin Grammy Awards Hall of Fame.
The song was performed by the cellist, Yo-Yo Ma on his album "Obrigado Brazil". American jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton also recorded the composition on his 1966 album The Time Machine and a well renown version on his solo album Alone at Last (Atlantic, 1971).