Elis Regina Carvalho Costa (March 17, 1945, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul… Read Full Bio ↴Elis Regina Carvalho Costa (March 17, 1945, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil – January 19, 1982, São Paulo, Brazil), better known as Elis Regina, was a Brazilian singer and one of the biggest names of MPB. Known for her vocal competence, musicianship and stage presence, she was acclaimed both in Brazil and internationally.

In the '60s, Elis was a leader and a standard-bearer in defense of Brazilian popular music, heavily contributing to the formation of the MPB label, with commercial and ideological characteristics at the same time. She was the first major artist to emerge from music festivals in the 1960s and detached herself from the Bossa Nova aesthetic through the use of her vocal range and drama. Initially, her style was influenced by radio singers, especially Ângela Maria. After four unsuccessful studio albums — Viva a Brotolândia (1961), Poema de Amor (1962), Elis Regina (1963), O Bem do Amor (1963) — Elis was the biggest revelation of the TV Excelsior festival in 1965, when he sang "Arrastão" by Vinícius de Moraes and Edu Lobo. This feat would guarantee him the invitation to act on television and, shortly afterwards, the title of first star of Brazilian popular song, when he started to command, alongside Jair Rodrigues, one of the two most important Brazilian popular music programs, O Fino da bossa. In 1967, she married Ronaldo Bôscoli, then director of O Fino da Bossa. From 1972, Elis began a relationship with César Camargo Mariano, which would last until 1981, in one of the most successful partnerships in Brazilian Popular Music.

She sang many genres: MPB, bossa nova, samba, rock and jazz. Interpreting songs like "Madalena", "Águas de Março", "Atrás da Porta", "Como Nosso Pais", "O Bêbado e a Equilibrista" and "Querellas do Brasil", he recorded moments of happiness, love, sadness and patriotism. Throughout his career, he stood out for also singing songs by artists, still little known, such as Milton Nascimento, Ivan Lins, Belchior, Renato Teixeira, Aldir Blanc, João Bosco, helping to launch them and publicize their works. , boosting them in the Brazilian music scene. Among other partnerships, the duets she had with Jair Rodrigues, Tom Jobim and Rita Lee are famous. With her second husband, pianist César Camargo Mariano, she consecrated a long work of great creativity and musical consistency and, in technical terms, was considered the best brazilian singer. His most memorable artistic presence is perhaps registered on the albums Em Pleno Verão (1970), Elis (1972), Elis (1973), Elis & Tom (1974), Elis (1974), Falso Brilhante (1976), Transversal do Tempo (1978). ), Essa Mulher (1979), Saudade do Brasil (1980) and Elis (1980). She was the first person to inscribe her own voice as if it were an instrument, in the Order of Musicians of Brazil. In 2013, she was elected the best female voice in Brazilian music by Rolling Stone Magazine. Elis was also mentioned in the list of the greatest artists in Brazilian music, ranking 14th, being the best-placed woman. In November of the same year, a musical was premiered in honor of her Elis, the musical.

Elis Regina died prematurely at the age of 36, at the height of her career, causing strong commotion in the country and leaving a vast body of work in Brazilian popular music. Although there were controversies and disputes as to the cause of death, the tests showed that the cause was the consumption of cocaine associated with alcohol, which caused a cardiac arrest.

Flora
Elis Regina Lyrics

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Imagino-te já idosa
Frondosa toda a folhagem
Multiplicada a ramagem

De agora
Lá rá lá lá
Lá ná ná

Tendo tudo transcorrido
Flores e frutos da imagem
Com que faço essa viagem
Pelo reino do teu nome
Ó, Flora

Lá rá lá rá ri
Ah lá ah lá lá

Imagino-te jaqueira
Postada à beira da estrada
Velha, forte, farta, bela
Senhora

Ah lá ah lá lá
Ah lá ah lá lá

Pelo chão, muitos caroços
Como que frutos dos nossos
Próprios sonhos devorados
Pelo pássaro da aurora
Ó, Flora

Ah lá ah lá lá
Ah lá ah na uhm

Imagino-te futura
Ainda mais linda, madura
Pura no sabor de amor
E de amora

Ah lá ah lá lá
Ah lá ah lá ê-ê

Toda aquela luz acesa
Na doçura e na beleza
Terei sono, com certeza
Debaixo da tua sombra
Ó, Flora

Ah lá ah lá lá
Ah lá ah lá ah-ah
Ah lá ah lá lá rá
Ah lá ah lá lá

Ah lá ah lá lá
Ah lá lá lê

Overall Meaning

These lyrics depict a vivid and imaginative portrayal of Flora, who is being envisioned in different stages of her life. The song starts by imagining Flora as an old woman, with abundant foliage and branches, symbolizing her wisdom and experience. The repetition of "Lá rá lá lá, Lá ná ná" creates a rhythmic and melodic pattern that adds a dream-like quality to the lyrics.

As the song progresses, Flora is seen as a mature and strong jackfruit tree, standing by the roadside. This image signifies her resilience and beauty. The mention of "Muitos caroços" (many seeds) on the ground represents the dreams that Flora and others have pursued but have been consumed or destroyed by the challenges of life. Despite this, Flora remains a symbol of hope and regeneration.

The lyrics then envision Flora as a future version of herself, even more beautiful and mature. The reference to "sabor de amor e de amora" (the taste of love and mulberry) suggests that Flora will continue to embody love and sweetness. The final lines of the song express a sense of comfort and rest, as the singer looks forward to finding solace and shelter under Flora's shade.

Line by Line Meaning

Imagino-te já idosa
I imagine you already old

Frondosa toda a folhagem
Luxuriant with all the foliage

Multiplicada a ramagem
The branches multiplied

De agora
From now on

Lá rá lá lá
La ra la la

Lá ná ná
La na na

Tendo tudo transcorrido
Having everything passed

Flores e frutos da imagem
Flowers and fruits from the image

Com que faço essa viagem
With which I make this journey

Pelo reino do teu nome
Through the kingdom of your name

Ó, Flora
Oh, Flora