Although the origins of Fado are unknown and there is much speculation about it, it is undoubtedly the Portuguese national song. Many say it is sad, some say it’s melancholic, others say it is rebel. We say it is the most emotional musical genre, which is differentiated from all other genres by that soft “trinar” of the Portuguese guitar and “Saudade”. 
We could try to explain what “trinar” means, but only listening. “Saudade” is an emotional feeling, untranslatable into a single English word. It means to miss someone, something or some place and it is present in a great number of Fado lyrics. The lyrics are usually very emotional and some even a little sad and slow, but there are also joyful lyrics that you can even clap your hands or dance to the sound of it. Another interesting fact is that there have been composed thousands of Fado melodies and lyrics since the “classics” but, they still persist and a true Fadista (fado singer) knows most of them. 
Many melodies are singed with different lyrics adapted to the singers taste or emotional state. Lisbon is, supposedly where Fado was born, in the typical neighbourhoods around the castle with their narrow cobblestone streets but everyone will tell you it is simply Portuguese. All over Portugal everyday there’s Fado, in concerts, contests, in restaurants over dinner, in local holydays celebrations, in groups of friends we call “Tertúlias”, or even spontaneously while showering. While staying in Portugal, you can listen to Fado in several restaurants called “Casas de Fado”, in Lisbon typical neighbourhoods like Alfama, Bairro Alto, Castelo, Madragoa or Mouraria.
