Carvalho was raised in a middle-class family in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone. Her father, João Francisco Leal de Carvalho, was a lawyer. She grew up influenced by different types of music. Her father used to take her to samba school rehearsals, and her mother was a lover of classical music who encouraged her to become a ballerina. She started playing the guitar as a teenager, and got involved with the emerging Bossa Nova movement, winning a nationwide song contest on TV at the age of 19. Her first record was 1968's "Andança", carrying the song of the same name to victory in a larger festival, which brought her to prominence. Although she started her career with Bossa Nova, that was an ephemeral phase which lasted less than one year. Beth started dedicating herself entirely to samba just as her fame began, working with legendary composers such as Nelson Sargento.
Carvalho is a very important artist in the history of samba, as she has celebrated and brought the spotlight to the work of legendary composers such as Cartola, Nelson Cavaquinho & Guilherme de Brito when they weren't receiving the attention they deserved. Almost all of her records have songs by these composers, among other legendary sambistas such as Nelson Sargento and the Old Guard of Portela. Her samba school is Mangueira, but that didn't stop her from recording dozens of songs from composers of Portela, the other great traditional samba school in Rio.
Later, in the late 1970s and early 80's, Beth helped bring to the public the work of other rising pagode artists from Cacique de Ramos, such as Almir Guineto, Jorge Aragão and the Fundo de Quintal group. Then, in 1983, she introduced Zeca Pagodinho who would become the major samba name of the 90's. Carvalho always tried to bring underrated composers the recognition they deserve, and she is regarded as madrinha do samba (the godmother of samba). She was a driving force in the modernization of samba in the 80s, and at the same time rejected commercial pop trends in samba arrangements, preserving tradition.
In the 1990s, Beth's popularity wasn't the strongest, but she was always popular. She recorded an album dedicated to the samba from São Paulo, rejecting the famous axiom that São Paulo is the grave of samba. In 1998 she recorded an album dedicated entirely to the pagode classics, Pérolas do Pagode (Pagode Pearls).
In the new millennium, Beth working more than ever, released CDs and DVDs. With a career that spans 40 years, she is a historical figure in Brazilian culture, and recognized as the female sambista with the most substantial opus in Brazil, without diminishing other, younger stars such as Clara Nunes and Daniela Mercury.
Trivia
Beth is a known supporter of both the Botafogo and Clube Atlético Mineiro football teams
Beth is one of the main personalities of the samba school Mangueira
Beth had a variety of hits in the 1970s, with her 1979 song Coisinha Do Pai being one of her biggest hits. The song was inserted into the Mars Pathfinder.
Her social music often concerns the poor and the Indigenous peoples in Brazil.
O Quitandeiro
Beth Carvalho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
É a Velha Guarda da Portela, gente
Quitandeiro, leva cheiro e tomate
Na casa do chocolate, que hoje vai ter macarrão
Prepara a barriga, macacada, que a bóia tá enfezada
E o pacode fica bom, fica bom, fica bom, fica bom
Desses nego beberrão
Chocolate, tu avise a crioula, que carregue na cebola
E no queijo parmesão
Quitandeiro, quitandeiro, leva cheiro e tomate
Na casa do chocolate, que hoje vai ter macarrão
Prepara a barriga, macacada, que a bóia tá enfezada
E o pacode fica bom, fica bom, fica bom, fica bom
Chega, só 30 litros de uca, para fechar a butuca
Desses nego beberrão
Chocolate, tu avise a crioula, que carregue na cebola
E no queijo parmesão
Mas não se esqueça de avisar a nega Estela
Que o pessoal da Portela vai cantar partido-alto
Vai ter pagode até o dia amanhecer
E os versos de improviso serão em homenagem a você
Quitandeiro, quitandeiro, leva cheiro e tomate
Na casa do chocolate, que hoje vai ter macarrão
Que hoje vai ter macarrão
Prepara a barriga, macacada, que a bóia tá enfezada
E o pacode fica bom, eu falei pra você que ficava bom
Chega, só 30 litros de uca, para fechar a butuca
Desses nego beberrão
Chocolate, tu avise a crioula, que carregue na cebola
E no queijo parmesão
Mas não se esqueça de avisar a nega Estela
Que o pessoal da Portela vai cantar partido-alto
Vai ter pagode até o dia amanhecer
E os versos de improviso serão em homenagem a você
Quitandeiro, quitandeiro, leva cheiro e tomate
Na casa do chocolate, que hoje vai ter macarrão
Prepara a barriga, macacada, que a bóia tá enfezada
E o pacode fica bom, fica bom, fica bom, fica bom
Chega, só 30 litros de uca, para fechar a butuca
Desses nego beberrão
Chocolate, tu avise a crioula, que carregue na cebola
E no queijo parmesão
Que carregue na cebola e no queijo parmesão
Que carregue na cebola e no queijo parmesão
Valeu, Velha Guarda!
The lyrics of Beth Carvalho's "O Quitandeiro" talk about a gathering or party where the "Velha Guarda da Portela" group is playing samba. The main protagonist of the song is the "quitandeiro," who brings groceries, such as tomatoes and onions, to make food for the guests. The song talks about the preparations for the party, the food and drinks that will be served, and the improvisational samba singing throughout the night. The group implores the quitandeiro to make sure to let Nega Estela know that the Portela group will be singing a song in honor of her.
The song provides a glimpse into the cultural importance of samba music in Brazil, and how it brought people together for celebrations, dancing, and socializing. The mention of onion, cheese, and tomatoes reflects the traditional ingredients used in Brazilian cuisine, emphasizing the importance of food in bringing people together. The song's upbeat and lively tempo reflects the joyful spirit of the party and the samba music that united people.
Line by Line Meaning
Comigo nesse pagode
É a Velha Guarda da Portela, gente
I am with the Portela's Old Guard in this party, people.
Quitandeiro, leva cheiro e tomate
Na casa do chocolate, que hoje vai ter macarrão
Prepara a barriga, macacada, que a bóia tá enfezada
E o pacode fica bom, fica bom, fica bom, fica bom
Hey trader, bring some scent and tomatoes to Chocolate's house, we're having macaroni today. Get ready, guys, our appetite is roaring, and the party will be great!
Chega, só 30 litros de uca, para fechar a butuca
Desses nego beberrão
Chocolate, tu avise a crioula, que carregue na cebola
E no queijo parmesão
Only 30 liters of uca left to serve these drinkers. Chocolate, tell the lady to bring onions and parmesan cheese.
Mas não se esqueça de avisar a nega Estela
Que o pessoal da Portela vai cantar partido-alto
Vai ter pagode até o dia amanhecer
E os versos de improviso serão em homenagem a você
Do not forget to tell Negra Estela that the Portela folks will sing partido-alto. We'll have pagode until dawn, and the improvised verses will be in your honor.
Prepara a barriga, macacada, que a bóia tá enfezada
E o pacode fica bom, eu falei pra você que ficava bom
Get ready, guys - our stomachs are growling, and the party is fantastic. As I said, it will be a great time!
Que carregue na cebola e no queijo parmesão
Que carregue na cebola e no queijo parmesão
Bring onions and parmesan cheese - bring onions and parmesan cheese!
Valeu, Velha Guarda!
Thank you, old guard!
Writer(s): Monarco, Paulo Da Portela
Contributed by Christopher O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marcio Gimenes de Paula
Vá na paz, madrinha querida. Você será sempre eterna em todo o Brasil
Dede Rios
MEU PAI 86 ANOS BEBE E CANTA MUITO ESSA MUSICA ....ISSO PQ ELE SABE VIVER !! TO AQ NO QUINTAL BEBENDO UMA GELADA VENDO ELE CANTAR ESSA MUSICA ...ESSA MUSICA E A CARA DELEEEE . TA CHAPADOOOO KKKKKKKKKKK
Celio Pereira
Ppppppppppp
JP percussao
Isso samba tudo de bom
Restaurando Ando
Adorei
Leandro Lopes
Saudades da madrinha