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.
Roendo as unhas
Paulinho da Viola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De andar roendo as unhas pela madrugada
De sentar no meio fio não querendo nada
De cheirar pelas esquinas minha flor nenhuma
Meu samba não se importa se eu não faço rima
Se pego na viola e ela desafina
Meu samba não se importa se eu não tenho amor
Meu samba não se importa se desapareço
Se digo uma mentira sem me arrepender
Quando entro numa boa ele vem comigo
E fica desse jeito se eu entristecer
The lyrics to Paulinho Da Viola's song Roendo as unhas speak about the singer's relationship with his samba music. He explains that his samba does not care if he is restless at night, nervous and biting his nails. He also sings about how his samba does not mind if he sits on the pavement aimlessly or smells the flowers on the street corners. The singer goes on to say that his samba does not care if he doesn't rhyme or if he plays his viola out of tune. His samba also does not care if he is in love or if he gives his heart away too easily without discipline. He then declares that his samba does not care if he disappears or if he tells a lie without remorse. In good times and bad, his samba is always with him, unconditionally.
The lyrics of Roendo as unhas can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that the singer is using his samba as a metaphor for his life. He describes how his samba is always there for him, no matter what he does or where he goes. His samba is a constant in his life, supporting him through good times and bad. Another interpretation is that the singer is describing the freedom that samba music provides. He can be restless, unpredictable and make mistakes in life, but his samba music is a safe haven where he can express himself without judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
Meu samba não se importa que eu esteja numa
My samba doesn't care if I'm in a difficult situation
De andar roendo as unhas pela madrugada
Biting my nails in worry during the night
De sentar no meio fio não querendo nada
Sitting on the curb with no purpose
De cheirar pelas esquinas minha flor nenhuma
Smelling the streets without a loved one by my side
Meu samba não se importa se eu não faço rima
My samba doesn't mind if I don't rhyme
Se pego na viola e ela desafina
If I play my guitar out of tune
Meu samba não se importa se eu não tenho amor
My samba doesn't care if I'm not in love
Se dou meu coração assim sem disciplina
If I give my heart without any caution
Meu samba não se importa se desapareço
My samba doesn't care if I disappear
Se digo uma mentira sem me arrepender
If I tell a lie without remorse
Quando entro numa boa ele vem comigo
When I'm feeling good, my samba is there with me
E fica desse jeito se eu entristecer
And it stays with me even when I'm sad
Contributed by Josiah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Zinh0
Meu samba não se importa que eu esteja numa
De andar roendo as unhas pela madrugada
De sentar no meio fio não querendo nada
De cheirar pelas esquinas minha flor nenhuma
Meu samba não se importa se eu não faço rima
Se pego na viola e ela desafina
Meu samba não se importa se eu não tenho amor
Se dou meu coração assim sem disciplina
Meu samba não se importa se desapareço
Se digo uma mentira sem me arrepender
Quando entro numa boa ele vem comigo
E fica desse jeito se eu entristecer
Zinh0
Meu samba não se importa que eu esteja numa
De andar roendo as unhas pela madrugada
De sentar no meio fio não querendo nada
De cheirar pelas esquinas minha flor nenhuma
Meu samba não se importa se eu não faço rima
Se pego na viola e ela desafina
Meu samba não se importa se eu não tenho amor
Se dou meu coração assim sem disciplina
Meu samba não se importa se desapareço
Se digo uma mentira sem me arrepender
Quando entro numa boa ele vem comigo
E fica desse jeito se eu entristecer
Abel Alencar
Que grande letra, sempre exaltar
Tom Rocha
Linda versão
Conhecia com o Ney Matogrosso
Dois intérpretes ótimos.
O rebolante e o príncipe elegante
Adoro os dois.
Bruno Goes Spoladore
O samba é nosso amigo! Um salve para o paulinho da viola! Viva!
Abel Alencar
HOJE é a canção mais bonita do Brasil
Valdete Rosa
👏👏👏💐💐❤❤❤
Me perdi no caminho
Letra e melodia perfeitas
Gabriel Fausztino
Lindeza pura
Adalmilson Duarte
Uma tristeza vídeos com musicas lindas com apenas algumns poucos milhares de views. Merecia dezenas de milhares. Infelizmente o Brasileiro não sabe apreciar a cultura que tem.
Claudio Macau Oficial
Diferente este tema e interpretação de Paulinho da Viola. Não conhecia o tema, mas parece chicobuarqueano. Lindo.