Noted for the extraordinary precision of the vocalists' intonation and delivery, the quartet performed and recorded with almost every single major Brazilian artist of the '60s and '70s; their popularity exceeded and still exceeds the borders of their native country. They met with great success in America in the mid-sixties, and have a considerable following in Japan, where they still tour regularly.
They started performing in 1959, appearing on local television in that year. Cyva, the leader of the group, then moved to Rio de Janeiro, and persuaded her three sisters to join her there. They then started to make regular appearances in the boates (small nightclubs) of Rio, particularly Bottle's bar and the legendary Zum-Zum, where they caught the attention of Vinicius de Moraes and other prominent figures of the bossa nova scene. Their first album was released in 1964, and was to be followed by regular releases up to the late '90s, at the frequency of one a year, and sometimes more.
In the late 1960s, the group achieved international success under the title The Girls from Bahia, having undergone changes in its original composition. The first modification happened in 1966, when the youngest sister, Cylene, left the group to marry, getting replaced by Regina Werneck. Later, sisters Cynara and Cybele left the group to form a brief succesful duo that won, in 1968, the III Festival Internacional da Canção. Both got replaced by Sonia Ferreira and Semíramis Rubim, remaining only Cyva from the original formation, but despite the success of the duo, Cynara decided to rejoin the Quartet in the place of Semíramis. After a brief hiatus, the group resumed its activities in 1972 with the singers Cyva, Cynara, Sonia, and recently added member Dorinha Tapajós (replacing Regina). In 1980 Dorinha left for health reasons and was replaced by Cybele, who remained in the group until 2013 and was replaced by Keyla Fogaça, by her own indication. On 21 August 2014, at the age of 74, Cybele died of a lung ischemia at her home in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, after periods of work, Sonia and Keyla left the quartet, adding Corina Viana into the group.
The group's voices have transited through notable Brazilian music composers such as Vinícius de Moraes, Toquinho, Dorival Caymmi, Chico Buarque, Tom Jobim and many others. Their phonographic recordings have been released on more than 30 records - both in Brazil and abroad. With a solid and unwavering career for fifty years, Quarteto em Cy remains one of the most remarkable and expressive vocal groups in the history of MPB.
Agua de Beber
Quarteto Em Cy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E quis salvar meu coração
Mas o amor sabe um segredo
O medo pode matar o seu coração
Água de beber
Água de beber camará
Água de beber
Eu nunca fiz coisa tão certa
Entrei pra escola do perdão
A minha casa vive aberta
Abri todas as portas docoração
Água de beber
Água de beber camará
Água de beber
Água de beber camará
Eu sempre tive uma certeza
Que só me deu desilusão
É que o amor é uma tristeza
Muita mágoa demais para um coração
Água de beber
Água de beber camará
Água de beber
Água de beber camará
The lyrics of "Água de Beber" by Quarteto em Cy (translated as "Water to Drink") explore the theme of love and its complexities. The first verse speaks of wanting to love but being afraid, and wanting to protect one's heart. However, the chorus reveals that water serves as a metaphor for love, and that it can nourish or kill depending on how it's approached. The second verse shows the singer coming to a realization and being open to forgiveness, and embracing vulnerability in opening up their heart to others. The final verse speaks to the disappointment and pain that can come with love, but the chorus repeats the idea that water, or love, serves as a necessary and vital element.
The song's message is ultimately about the duality of love: both its beauty and potential for pain. It encourages the listener to be open to love despite its risks, but also to approach it with care and introspection. The use of water, a life-sustaining and powerful force of nature, as a metaphor for love adds depth and richness to the song's lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Eu quis amar mais tive medo
I wanted to love more, but fear held me back.
E quis salvar meu coração
I wanted to save my heart from being hurt.
Mas o amor sabe um segredo
But love knows a secret.
O medo pode matar o seu coração
That fear can kill your heart.
Água de beber
Water to drink
Água de beber camará
Water to drink, friend
Eu nunca fiz coisa tão certa
I have never done anything so right.
Entrei pra escola do perdão
I enrolled in the school of forgiveness.
A minha casa vive aberta
My house is always open.
Abri todas as portas do coração
I opened all the doors of my heart.
Eu sempre tive uma certeza
I always had one certainty.
Que só me deu desilusão
That only brought me disappointment.
É que o amor é uma tristeza
That love is a sadness.
Muita mágoa demais para um coração
Too much hurt for one heart to bear.
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.