Alcione was introduced to the traditional Brazilian music by her father. He was a military musician who worked as the conductor of the corps marching band. At the age of thirteen, she was already able to give vocal performance in college parties. At this same age, she began to study clarinet, and then learnt to play the trumpet.
At age 20 Alcione moved to Rio de Janeiro. There she worked at the city's TV Excelsior, and later went on tour in Argentina and Chile for four months. On returning to Brazil, she settled in São Paulo, working in nightclub and making appearances on television. In 1970, she started her two-year tour in Europe, performing as a vocalist and a trumpet artist.
In 1972, when back to Brazil, Alcione recorded her first single. The following year, she traveled to sing in Mexico and, in 1974, Portugal, where she recorded her first full-length album. In 1975 Alcione released her LP, A Voz do Samba, which achieved gold sales status and featured several hit tracks. The most successful songs were Não Deixe o Samba Morrer, written by Edson and Aloiso, and O Surdo, written by Totonho/Paulinho Resende.
In the late 1970s, Nazaré became well-known as a samba artist and achieved international recognition. She recorded Alerta Geral for Philips Records and, in 1978, released this album, the title of which was taken from a television show that Alcione had hosted on TV Globo for two years. Following its success, Alcione continued to release several other full-length albums in late 1970s and early 1980s, including her self-titled album.
In 1997, Alcione signed with Universal Records, subsequently releasing a label debut named Valeu, through Polygram the next year. This was followed by Celebração that same year, and Claridade---Uma Homenagem A Clara Nunes in 1999. In December 2002 Alcione was recognized for playing an important part in founding the Paraíso School of Samba in London, England. She also helped organizing and preparing the stage for a British version of the Carnival Brasil, Paraíso dos Orixás (Brazil, Paradise of the Gods). In 2003, her 2002 album, Ao Vivo, received the Best Samba/Pagode Album Award at fourth Latin Grammy Award ceremony.
She has interpreted several hits such as Não deixe o samba morrer, Lá vem você, Gostoso veneno and Ilha da maré.
On July 7, 2007 she performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth in Rio de Janeiro.
A Festa É Da Massa
Alcione Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pra lhe agradar
Hoje você me encurrala
Só para sambar
Olha que a festa da massa
Ainda não morreu
Chega de meter o dedo
Um dia eu sambo na praça
Quem sabe brinco na rua
Você vai ver que a desgraça
Foi toda por culpa sua
Não soube ser companheiro
Já me vendi por dinheiro
Dinheiro que na verdade
Nunca me deu liberdade
Quem sabe a falsa alegria
Que você tanto irradia
Não seja um fruto do medo
Que um dia eu venha saber
Que o seu reinado
Está perto do fim
Você não é nada sem mim
Você não é nada sem mim
Já reneguei minha raça
Pra lhe agradar
Hoje você me encurrala
Só para sambar
Olha que a festa da massa
Ainda não morreu
Chega de meter o dedo
No que não é seu
Um dia eu sambo na praça
Quem sabe brinco na rua
Você vai ver que a desgraça
Foi toda por culpa sua
Não soube ser companheiro
Já me vendi por dinheiro
Dinheiro que na verdade
Nunca me deu liberdade
Quem sabe a falsa alegria
Que você tanto irradia
Não seja fruto do medo
Que um dia eu venha saber
Que seu reinado
Está perto do fim
Você não é nada sem mim
Você não é nada sem mim
Quem sabe a falsa alegria
Que você tanto irradia
Não seja fruto do medo
Que um dia eu venha saber
Que seu reinado
Está perto do fim
Você não é nada sem mim
Você não é nada sem mim
The lyrics to Alcione's song A Festa É Da Massa express a message of frustration and defiance against societal pressures to conform and betray one's roots or identity in order to please others, specifically in the context of the Brazilian Carnival tradition. The singer laments the fact that they have renounced their own race and culture just to please someone else who now expects them to dance and celebrate at their command. The phrase "olha que a festa da massa ainda não morreu" (look, the party of the people is not dead yet) implies that there is still hope for a more authentic and inclusive form of celebration that doesn't discriminate based on class or race. The singer plans to take back their dignity and freedom by dancing in the streets and challenging the status quo, suggesting that the person who holds power over them will soon realize the error of their ways and lose their authority.
One interesting aspect of this song is that Alcione is known as the "Queen of Samba" in Brazil, making her an important figure in the country's music and cultural scene. A Festa É Da Massa was released in 1979, a time of political and social upheaval in Brazil, when the country was transitioning from a military dictatorship to a more democratic society. Due to its catchy melody and empowering lyrics, the song became an anthem for many who identified with Alcione's message of resistance and pride. Another interesting fact is that the lyrics were written by Franco, a Brazilian poet and lyricist who was known for his collaborations with various artists in the MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) genre. Franco was known for his socially conscious lyrics and his support for marginalized communities in Brazil.
Overall, A Festa É Da Massa is a powerful and inspiring song that speaks to the importance of self-acceptance, cultural identity, and social justice. Its message of resistance and liberation continues to resonate with audiences in Brazil and around the world.
Chords: Unfortunately, the chords for this song are not readily available.
Line by Line Meaning
Já reneguei minha raça
Pra lhe agradar
I have denied my own heritage just to please you
Hoje você me encurrala
Só para sambar
Now you trap me only to dance samba
Olha que a festa da massa
Ainda não morreu
Remember that the celebration of the common people is not dead yet
Chega de meter o dedo
No que não é seu
Stop meddling in what doesn't belong to you
Um dia eu sambo na praça
Quem sabe brinco na rua
Você vai ver que a desgraça
Foi toda por culpa sua
One day I'll dance in the town square, maybe I'll play in the streets. You'll see that the misery was all because of your fault
Não soube ser companheiro
Já me vendi por dinheiro
Dinheiro que na verdade
Nunca me deu liberdade
You couldn't be a good companion, and I sold myself out for money. Money that, in reality, never gave me freedom
Quem sabe a falsa alegria
Que você tanto irradia
Não seja um fruto do medo
Que um dia eu venha saber
Que o seu reinado
Está perto do fim
Maybe the false happiness that you radiate is a result of fear. One day I'll find out that your reign is coming to an end
Você não é nada sem mim
Você não é nada sem mim
You are nothing without me, you are nothing without me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jorge Aragao
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind