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.
Vendaval Da Vida
Alcione Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Amargando o meu viver sofrido
E assistindo o que se vai passando
E vou resistindo
Resistindo no meu posto o vendaval da vida
Aplaudindo a quem ja vai subindo
Amparando a quem ja vem caindo
(e vou sorrindo)
Qauntos risos de falsa alegria
Paraíso sem nenhum valor
Lutas pelo pão de cada dia
Sustentando a morte do amor
Mas vou sorrindo
The lyrics of Alcione's song "Vendaval Da Vida" convey a sense of resilience and perseverance in the face of life's difficulties. The singer describes herself as "smiling with my inner self crying," suggesting that she is putting on a brave face despite the pain and struggles she is experiencing. She describes her life as bitter and full of suffering, but she is determined to withstand the storms and turbulence that life throws her way. She applauds those who have succeeded in their own lives and offers support to those who are struggling.
The second verse of the song highlights some of the challenges and obstacles that the singer has faced. She talks about the false happiness and empty promises of a paradise that has no real value. She also mentions the daily struggle for sustenance and the death of love. Despite these challenges, the singer remains undeterred and continues to smile and persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
Vou sorrindo com o meu interior chorando
I am smiling on the outside while I am crying on the inside
Amargando o meu viver sofrido
I am enduring my bitter and painful life
E assistindo o que se vai passando
I am watching what is happening around me
E vou resistindo
And I keep resisting
Resistindo no meu posto o vendaval da vida
I am holding my ground against the storms of life
Aplaudindo a quem ja vai subindo
I am applauding those who are succeeding
Amparando a quem ja vem caindo
I am supporting those who are falling
(e vou sorrindo)
(and I keep smiling)
Quantos risos de falsa alegria
How many fake smiles and laughs
Paraíso sem nenhum valor
A paradise with no worth
Lutas pelo pão de cada dia
Struggles for daily bread
Sustentando a morte do amor
Sustaining the death of love
Mas vou sorrindo
But I keep on smiling
Contributed by Julia L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.