Rita helped to incorporate the rock revolution into the creative explosion of tropicalismo, formed the most celebrated Brazilian rock band in the world, Os Mutantes, and created solo songs with enormous popular appeal without losing her freedom and irreverence.
Former member of the group Os Mutantes (1966 — 1972) and leader of the band Tutti Frutti (1973 — 1978), Lee participated in important revolutions in the world of music and society, such as the Tropicália movement during the Brazilian dictatorship, which led her to be the artist with the most censored songs in Brazil during that period. Her songs, usually watered with an acid irony or with a claim for female independence and sexual topics, became ubiquitous in the charts. The album, Fruto Proibido (1975), released together with the band Tutti Frutti, is commonly seen as a fundamental milestone in the history of Brazilian rock, considered by some as her masterpiece.
In 1976, Lee began a romantic relationship with guitarist Roberto de Carvalho and since then he has been the partner on most of her songs and accompanied her in all her live performances. They had three children, including Beto Lee, also a guitarist, who accompanies his parents in concerts. With a career that has reached 50 years, Rita Lee has gone from the musical innovation of the late 1960s and 1970s to the highly successful romantic ballads of the 1980s. In October 2008, Rolling Stone magazine promoted the List of the 100 Greatest Artists in Brazilian Music, where Rita Lee ranks 15th.
In 2001, Rita Lee won the Latin Grammy for Best Portuguese Language Rock Album with "3001". She would receive five more nominations for the award and in 2022, she was awarded the Musical Excellence award for her body of work. In 2012, she announced that she would retire from performing live due to physical frailty. "I retire from shows, but never from music," she wrote on Twitter.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and had been undergoing treatment for the disease. She passed away in her hometown of São Paulo at the age of 75 on May 8, 2023.
Jardins da Babilônia
Rita Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E eu pra não ficar por baixo
Resolvi botar as asas pra fora, porque
Quem não chora dali, não mama daqui, diz o ditado
Quem pode, pode, deixa os acomodados que se incomodem
Minha saúde não é de ferro não
Mas meus nervos são de aço
Mas pegar fogo nunca foi atração de circo
Mas de qualquer maneira
Pode ser um caloroso espetáculo, então
O palhaço ri dali, o povo chora daqui, e o show não para
E apesar dos pesares do mundo, vou segurar essa barra
Minha saúde não é de ferro não
Mas meus nervos são de aço
Pra pedir silêncio eu berro, pra fazer barulho eu mesma faço, ou não
Suspenderam os jardins da Babilônia
E eu pra não ficar por baixo
Resolvi botar as asas pra fora, porque
Quem não chora dali, não mama daqui, diz o ditado
Quem pode, pode, deixa os acomodados que se incomodem
, eu sigo acreditando em mim mesmo
This song is about being confident despite adversity. The first verse uses the metaphor of the hanging gardens of Babylon being suspended to represent obstacles or challenges. The singer refuses to be held back and decides to spread their wings and fly, because as the saying goes, "who doesn't cry there, won't suck here." The phrase "who can, can, leave the comfortable to be uncomfortable" emphasizes the need to take risks and challenges to achieve success.
The second verse describes the singer's mental and emotional strength. They acknowledge that their physical health may not be perfect, but their nerves are made of steel. The singer can make a lot of noise and ask for silence whenever needed. The line "to catch fire was never a circus attraction" emphasizes that it is not about being a spectacle, but rather about doing what is necessary to achieve one's goals.
Despite the difficult circumstances of the world, the singer remains optimistic and continues to believe in themselves. "Despite the weight of the world, I still believe in myself." The overall message of the song is to stay determined and confident regardless of obstacles, and to continue pushing forward towards success.
Line by Line Meaning
Suspenderam os jardins da Babilônia
The famous hanging gardens of Babylon were ruined, and everyone was feeling down.
E eu pra não ficar por baixo
Rita Lee didn't want to be left behind by everyone else's sadness.
Resolvi botar as asas pra fora, porque
To counteract the sadness, Rita Lee decided to spread her wings and fly higher.
Quem não chora dali, não mama daqui, diz o ditado
If you don't cry over your own problems, you won't get sympathy from others.
Quem pode, pode, deixa os acomodados que se incomodem
Those who have power don't care about the comfort of others and will do what they want regardless of how others feel.
Minha saúde não é de ferro mão
Rita Lee admits that her health is not perfect.
Mas meus nervos são de aço
But mentally, she is very strong.
Pra pedir silêncio eu berro, pra fazer barulho eu mesma faço, ou não
She is not afraid to speak up when she needs to, and she can create her own noise if necessary.
Mas pegar fogo nunca foi atração de circo
Starting a fire has never been her goal or intention.
Mas de qualquer maneira
Even though it's not her intention, it can still be a spectacle.
Pode ser um caloroso espetáculo, então
The situation can become heated and exciting.
O palhaço ri dali, o povo chora daqui, e o show não pára
Everyone reacts differently to the situation, but the show must go on regardless.
E apesar dos pesares do mundo
Despite all the difficulties and problems in the world,
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Luiz Antonio Marcuci Carbone, Rita Lee Jones De Carvalho
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind