Jorge Ben Jor, “Taj Mahal”

This beautiful song by Brazillian artist Jorge Ben Jor tells the story behind the building of the Taj Mahal by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. The song originally appeared on Ben’s self titled 1974 record, but this version comes from his 1976 release Africa Brazil. The melody of the chorus may sound familiar to you, that’s because Rod Stewart used it in his 1978 disco hit “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.” Ben would sue Stewart for plagiarism and won the case. Stewart later agreed to donate all royalties from “Sexy”  to UNICEF.