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.
No Pagode do Vavá
Paulinho da Viola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Teve um tremendo pagode que você não pode imaginar
Mas no Domingo
Domingo lá na casa do Vavá
Teve um tremendo pagode que você não pode imaginar
Provei do famoso feijão da Vicentina
Só quem é da Portela é que sabe que a coisa é divina
Só quem é da Portela é que sabe que a coisa é divina
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
Nego tirava o sapato ficava a vontade, comia com a mão
Uma batida gostosa que tinha o nome de doce ilusão
Vi muita nega bonita
Fazer partideiro ficar esquecido
Mas apesar do ciúme nenhuma mulher ficou sem o marido
Mas no Domingo
Domingo lá na casa do Vavá
Teve um tremendo pagode que você não pode imaginar
Mas no Domingo
Domingo lá na casa do Vavá
Teve um tremendo pagode que você não pode imaginar
Provei do famoso feijão da Vicentina
Só quem é da Portela é que sabe que a coisa é divina
Provei do famoso feijão da Vicentina
Só quem é da Portela é que sabe que a coisa é divina
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
Um assovio de bala
Cortou o espaço e ninguém machucou
Muito malandro corria
Quando Elton Medeiros chegou
Minha gente não fique apressada
Que não há motivo pra ter correria
Foi um nego que fez 13 pontos
E ficou maluco de tanta alegria
Mas no Domingo
Domingo lá na casa do Vavá
Teve um tremendo pagode que você não pode imaginar
Mas no Domingo
Domingo lá na casa do Vavá
Teve um tremendo pagode que você não pode imaginar
Provei do famoso feijão da Vicentina
Só quem é da Portela é que sabe que a coisa é divina
Provei do famoso feijão da Vicentina
Só quem é da Portela é que sabe que a coisa é divina
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
The song "No Pagode do Vavá" by Paulinho da Viola describes a lively and joyful gathering that took place on a Sunday at Vavá's house, where a remarkable pagode celebration occurred. Pagode is a popular genre of Brazilian music known for its lively rhythms and upbeat nature. The lyrics emphasize the sensational experience that the listener cannot even begin to imagine.
The mention of tasting Vicentina's famous feijão (beans) highlights the culinary delights present at the gathering. It suggests that only those affiliated with the Portela samba school truly understand the divine quality of this dish. Portela is renowned for its rich history in samba, giving a special significance to this reference.
People from all over the place gathered at Vavá's pagode, where they could comfortably take off their shoes and eat with their hands. The relaxed atmosphere and camaraderie are emphasized. The lyrics mention a delightful drink called "doce ilusão" (sweet illusion), which adds to the enjoyable ambiance of the event.
The song also acknowledges the attractive women who caught the attention of the men present. Despite moments of jealousy, no woman was left without her partner. This further supports the idea that the gathering was a harmonious and inclusive environment.
In the second part of the song, a moment of chaos occurs when a bullet whizzes through the air, causing many people to run. However, it is revealed that nobody got hurt. The arrival of Elton Medeiros, a well-known figure in the pagode scene, is mentioned, adding to the excitement and relief after the scare.
Overall, "No Pagode do Vavá" depicts a vibrant and memorable Sunday pagode celebration filled with delicious food, lively music, and a harmonious atmosphere. It portrays a gathering where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy the festivities, showcasing the beauty of Brazilian culture and community.
Line by Line Meaning
Domingo lá na casa do Vavá
On Sunday, at Vavá's house
Teve um tremendo pagode que você não pode imaginar
There was an incredible samba party that you can't even imagine
Provei do famoso feijão da Vicentina
I tasted the famous Vicentina's beans
Só quem é da Portela é que sabe que a coisa é divina
Only those from Portela know how divine it is
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
There were people from everywhere at Vavá's samba party
Nego tirava o sapato ficava a vontade, comia com a mão
People took off their shoes, felt comfortable, and ate with their hands
Uma batida gostosa que tinha o nome de doce ilusão
A delightful rhythm that was called 'sweet illusion'
Vi muita nega bonita
I saw many beautiful black women
Fazer partideiro ficar esquecido
Making the samba songwriter forget his troubles
Mas apesar do ciúme nenhuma mulher ficou sem o marido
But despite the jealousy, no woman was left without her husband
Um assovio de bala
A bullet's whistle
Cortou o espaço e ninguém machucou
Cut through the air and no one got hurt
Muito malandro corria
Many scoundrels were running
Quando Elton Medeiros chegou
When Elton Medeiros arrived
Minha gente não fique apressada
My people, don't be in a hurry
Que não há motivo pra ter correria
There's no reason to rush
Foi um nego que fez 13 pontos
It was a guy who scored 13 points
E ficou maluco de tanta alegria
And he went crazy with so much joy
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
There were people from everywhere at Vavá's samba party
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
There were people from everywhere at Vavá's samba party
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
There were people from everywhere at Vavá's samba party
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
There were people from everywhere at Vavá's samba party
Tinha gente de todo lugar no pagode do Vavá
There were people from everywhere at Vavá's samba party
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paulinho Da Viola
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luiz Antônio Campos
Participação genial do grande Elton Medeiros!
Pinturas DIHERMANNY
Muito bom relembrar.
Pablo Moraes da Silva
Paulinho da Viola é um cantor magnifico
Samuel Machado Filho
Do próprio Paulinho, faixa do álbum "A dança da solidão" (Odeon, 1972) e lado B do compacto simples número S7B-642. É um de seus sambas mais conhecidos e regravados.
Hilda Braguim
Adoro parabéns 👋👋👋
Flavio Augusto Da Silva
Gênio!!!!!
julienne B MBA
amo!!!<3
Andrew Sanderson
adoro !!!!!!!!!!
Maria Vicentina
Adoooro. ...feijão da vicentina. .....
Realmente meu feijão é divino! !!!!😃
Roberto e LH.
Kkk antes de tu nascer Paulinho da viola ja sabia do seu tempero rsrs MUITO bom!