"Canção do Mar" follows in the history of fado, closely tied to the port district of Lisbon with lyrics incorporating poetry often related to the sea.

[5][6][7] Pontes´s version was featured in the 1996 movie Primal Fear,[8][9] starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton; it was also used as the title music in TV series Southland.

Pontes first learned that her recording of "Canção do Mar" was in the film Primal Fear while in the theater, unexpectedly hearing her voice singing the song as part of the soundtrack.

"[20] In a review of Brightman's "Harem" album and "Harem World Tour", Larry Womack for the Oroville Mercury-Register declared "she fuses the modern with the classical into a single piece" and "truly shines" clarifying "The title song (and opening number), augments de Brito and Trindade's melody 'Cancao do Mar' with a dance arrangement by Frank Peterson, as well as English lyrics by Brightman and Roxanne Seeman" and calling it "the artist's most inspired show opening to date.

"[22] Steve Morse for the Boston Globe wrote:  "Bedecked in a regal belly dancing costume with a thin, billowing fabric around her shoulders, Brightman started her two-set show with the title track "Harem"... backed by a 20-piece orchestra..."[23]