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.
Vento De Maio / Música Incidental: ''Um Girassol Da Cor Do Seu Cabelo''
Elis Regina Lyrics
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Rainha de maio
Estrela cadente
Chegou de repente
O fim da viagem
Agora já não dá mais
Pra voltar atrás
Rainha de maio
Valeu o teu pique
Apenas para chover
No meu pique-nique
Assim meu sapato
Coberto de barro
Apenas pra não parar
Nem voltar atrás
Rainha de maio
Valeu a viagem
Agora já não dá mais...
Nisso eu escuto no rádio do carro a nossa canção
(Vento solar e estrelas do mar)
Sol girassol e meus olhos ardendo de tanto cigarro
E quase que eu me esqueci que o tempo não pára nem vai esperar
Vento de maio
Rainha dos raios de sol
Vá no teu pique
Estrela cadente até nunca mais
Não te maltrates
Nem tentes voltar o que não tem mais vez
Nem lembro teu nome nem sei
Estrela qualquer lá no fundo do mar
Vento de maio rainha dos raios de sol
Rainha de maio valeu o teu pique
Apenas para chover no meu pique-nique
Assim meu sapato coberto de barro
Apenas pra não parar nem voltar atrás
The song begins with a description of sudden change: ''Vento de raio / Rainha de maio / Estrela cadente'' which roughly translate to "Lightning wind / Queen of May / Shooting star." This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which speaks to the idea that time is constantly moving forward, and it's impossible to go back. The singer reflects on their journey and sings, ''Agora já não dá mais / Pra voltar atrás'' meaning "Now it's not possible anymore / To turn back." The phrase "Queen of May" is a reference to the month of May, typically associated with new beginnings and fresh starts.
Later in the song, the singer hears their love song on the radio and reflects on their life while smoking. They sing, ''E quase que eu me esqueci que o tempo não pára nem vai esperar'' which means "And I almost forgot that time does not stop and does not wait." The idea of time moving forward is further emphasized with the lines "Estrela cadente até nunca mais / Não te maltrates / Nem tentes voltar o que não tem mais vez" meaning "Shooting star until never again / Don't hurt yourself / Or try to bring back what's gone forever." The song ends with the singer reflecting on the journey, singing "Apenas pra não parar nem voltar atrás" meaning "Only to not stop or go back."
Line by Line Meaning
Vento de raio
A stormy wind blowing with thunderous rage.
Rainha de maio
A metaphorical queen who reigns over the month of May, representing new beginnings and growth.
Estrela cadente
A falling star with a fleeting beauty.
Chegou de repente
It arrived suddenly and unexpectedly.
O fim da viagem
The end of a journey or experience.
Agora já não dá mais
It's now impossible to go back or reverse what has happened.
Valeu o teu pique
Your effort and energy were appreciated and valued.
Apenas para chover no meu pique-nique
Only to ruin my picnic with rain.
Assim meu sapato
My shoe looks like this now.
Coberto de barro
Completely covered in mud or dirt.
Apenas pra não parar
Like this, I have to keep moving and not stop.
Nem lembro teu nome nem sei
I can't remember your name or who you are.
Estrela qualquer lá no fundo do mar
Just any star deep in the ocean.
Vento de maio rainha dos raios de sol
The wind of May, queen of the rays of sunlight.
Vá no teu pique
Continue with your rhythm and pace.
Estrela cadente até nunca mais
Fading away into the distance until it's gone forever.
Não te maltrates
Don't hurt yourself unnecessarily.
Nem tentes voltar o que não tem mais vez
Don't try to go back to what's gone and can't return.
Agora já não dá mais...
There's nothing more that can be done.
Writer(s): Gilberto Gil, Torquato Neto
Contributed by Vivian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.