Born in Rio de Janeiro to a family deeply rooted in the samba tradition, Paulinho met and befriended much of Rio's samba elite as a child. His father was a guitar player and musicians like Pixinguinha and Jacob do Bandolim would often come to his house for rehearsals, which Paulinho watched for hours on end. After the rehearsals, Paulinho would pick up his father's guitar and strum the few chords he knew. Later, as a teenager, he was frequently seen at jams at Jacob do Bandolim's house, quietly and attentively observing the older, more experienced musicians. He began writing his own songs as a teenager, but never considered a career as a professional musician until he met poet Hermínio Bello de Carvalho in 1964. By then, Paulinho was working as a teller at a bank in Rio de Janeiro, and recognised Hermínio from the jam sessions at Jacob do Bandolim's house. The two became close friends and soon began writing music together. The first song they wrote together was Duvide-o-dó, recorded by singer Isaurinha Garcia. He then began performing his own songs at a restaurant in Rio, owned by samba legend Cartola and his wife.
He got his famous nickname in 1965, when he was a member of the samba group A Voz do Morro (the voice of the hills), alongside Zé Keti and Oscar Bigode. After their first recording session, a publicist from the record label reportedly told him "'Paulo César' is not a samba name!". Zé Keti and journalist Sérgio Cabral eventually came up with the nickname "Paulinho da Viola" (something to the lines of "Guitar Paul").
By the 1970s, Paulinho was at the most prolific stage of his career, releasing an average of one album per year. He was already a household name in samba, choro and MPB circles and broadened his audience by touring all over Brazil and also playing at festivals in Europe and the USA. His productivity and popularity had waned by the mid-80s, when he decided to focus more on his songwriting. In 1996 he regained notoriety after releasing the much-acclaimed album Bebadosamba, in which he once again joined forces with Hermínio Bello de Carvalho and Elton Medeiros, his early songwriting partners. He still lives in Rio de Janeiro and performs around Brazil.
Nega Luzia
Paulinho da Viola Lyrics
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No meio da cavalaria
Vai correr lista lá na vizinhança
Pra pagar mais uma fiança
Foi cangebrina demais lá no xadrez
Ninguém vai dormir em paz
Vou contar pra vocês
O que a nega fez
Era de madrugada
Todos dormiam
O silêncio foi quebrado
Por um grito de socorro
A nega recebeu um Nero
Queria botar fogo no morro
In "Nega Luzia," Paulinho Da Viola sings about the titular character, a Black woman who is amidst a cavalry, running errands in the neighborhood to pay yet another bail, as she has been arrested due to her involvement in a rebellion. Despite her imprisonment, Luzia is still fighting against oppression, as she received a kerosene lamp to start a fire on the hill to fight for her people's rights.
The lyrics offer a powerful commentary on the injustices faced by Black people in Brazil, as their struggles for freedom and equality are met with violence and persecution. Luzia's determination and bravery in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration for those fighting against systemic racism and discrimination.
One interesting fact about "Nega Luzia" is that it was released in 1973, during Brazil's military dictatorship, which was characterized by censorship and repression. Another noteworthy aspect of the song is its musical style, which showcases the traditional samba genre and demonstrates Da Viola's mastery of the form. Additionally, the song's lyrics have been praised for their poetic quality and social commentary.
Line by Line Meaning
Lá vem a nega Luzia
Here comes nega Luzia
No meio da cavalaria
In the middle of the cavalry
Vai correr lista lá na vizinhança
She's going to run a list in the neighborhood
Pra pagar mais uma fiança
To pay another bail
Foi cangebrina demais lá no xadrez
She was too cunning in jail
Ninguém vai dormir em paz
No one will sleep in peace
Vou contar pra vocês
I'll tell you guys
O que a nega fez
What nega did
Era de madrugada
It was dawn
Todos dormiam
Everyone was sleeping
O silêncio foi quebrado
The silence was broken
Por um grito de socorro
By a scream for help
A nega recebeu um Nero
Nega received a Nero
Queria botar fogo no morro
She wanted to set fire to the hill
Contributed by Isabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.