Elba Ramalho was born in the rural area of Conceição, in Vale do Piancó. In 1962, the family moved to the city of Campina Grande, also in Paraíba. Her father became the owner of the local theater. Daughter of a musician, she became interested in music still as a teenager.
In 1966, she participated, for the first time, in a performance on stage, in the Choir of the Fundação Artística e Cultural Manuel Bandeira, of which she was a member, with "Evocação do Recife". The Manuel Bandeira and Cecília Meireles Talking Choirs gained fame and started to be seen all over the Northeast, and Elba, who made her first presentation on stage together with them, soon became the highlight in the presentations. She starred in the poetic montages of Castro Alves, Thiago de Mello, Lindolfo Bell, Carlos Pena Filho and Figueiredo Agra. He participated in the montages of the plays "Ministro do Supremo" and "Diálogo das Carmelitas."
In 1968, while attending college of Economics and Sociology at the Federal University of Paraíba, she formed the ensemble As Brasas, in which she acted as drummer, which later became a theater group. However, Elba never stopped singing, and performed in several festivals throughout the Northeast.
In 1979, she released her first album, "Ave de Prata", and since then she has consolidated her position as one of the main Brazilian singers in activity. On her father's side, she is a cousin of fellow singer Zé Ramalho.
She has two Latin Grammys for her albums: Qual o Assunto Que Mais Lhe importa?, released in 2008, and Balaio de Amor, 2009, in the category Best Brazilian Roots Album: Regional and Tropical. In over 35 years of career, Elba Ramalho has sold more than 10 million albums. She received from the Art Critics Association of São Paulo the award "Best Show of the Year" on two occasions: in 1989 for the show Popular Brasileira and in 1996 for the show Leão do Norte.
Paris
Elba Ramalho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Teu rio é o Rio Sena
Paris, Paris
Tens loura, mas não tens morena
Que lindas mulheres de olhos azuis
Tu és a Cidade Luz
Mas eu gosto muito mais do Leme
E eu também quis ir um dia a Paris
Pra conhecer o que havia lá
E ao ver o metrô a saudade apertou
E vim correndo para cá
Quando eu cheguei
De alegria chorei
E achei o Rio lindo como o quê
Disquei 43-0023
“Amor, como é que vai você?”
In the song "Paris" by Elba Ramalho, the lyrics depict the singer's contrasting experiences and feelings towards two iconic cities, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. The repetitive mention of Paris in the beginning of the song establishes a sense of longing and admiration for the city, highlighting its beauty and allure. The comparison between the River Seine in Paris and the morena women (brunettes) in Rio reflects the singer's acknowledgment of the unique charm and characteristics of each place.
The description of beautiful women with blue eyes and the reference to Paris as the "City of Light" evoke a sense of romanticism and appreciation for the elegance and sophistication associated with the French capital. The declaration of love for Paris followed by the personal preference for the neighborhood of Leme in Rio further emphasizes the singer's emotional attachment to both cities, albeit in different ways.
The verses express the singer's desire to visit Paris and explore its attractions, only to find that nostalgia and longing for Rio overwhelm her upon witnessing the familiarity of the metro system. This juxtaposition of longing for Paris and the comforting familiarity of Rio highlights the emotional complexity of yearning for distant places while cherishing the familiarity and sense of belonging in one's own city.
The final lines of the song reveal a shift in perspective as the singer arrives in Rio and is overwhelmed with joy and admiration for the beauty of the city. The act of dialing a phone number to check on a loved one signifies a connection to home and loved ones, ultimately reinforcing the idea that while Paris may hold a special allure, it is the love and relationships in Rio that truly matter to the singer. Overall, "Paris" by Elba Ramalho encapsulates a mix of nostalgia, longing, and appreciation for both Paris and Rio de Janeiro, ultimately highlighting the significance of belonging and love in shaping one's sense of place and identity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alberto Ribeiro, Alcyr Pires Vermelho
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind