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.
Tapupukitipa
Rita Lee Lyrics
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Tapu pukitipa!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Tapu pukitipa!
Uuh!
Rita Lee's song Tapupukitipa is an upbeat and energetic tune that celebrates the joy of dancing and having a good time. The lyrics of the song are simple, yet effective in conveying the message of the song. This is a song about letting loose and enjoying the moment, and not worrying about anything else. The repetition of the phrase "Tapu pukitipa" reinforces the idea of the need to let go and have fun.
The song is also somewhat nonsensical, but this only adds to its charm. The lyrics are filled with nonsense words like "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" and "Uuh!" These words don't really mean anything, but they serve to enhance the rhythm of the song and make it more fun to dance to. The overall message of the song is that life can be stressful, but it's important to take a break from all of that and just enjoy ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm
Tapu pukitipa!
A nonsensical term used to convey a sense of fun and playfulness
Uuh!
An exclamation of surprise or pleasure
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARNALDO BAPTISTA, RITA CARVALHO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind