A few years later, in the late '60s, Carlos (counseled by his advisers) changed his style to become the most successful romantic artist in Brazil. Having written (always with Erasmo Carlos) some of the most beautiful songs in this style (such as "Detalhes," "Sua Estupidez," "Jesus Cristo," "Debaixo dos Caracóis dos Seus Cabelos," etc.), Carlos accumulated virtually all possible accomplishments as a highly successful artist, including a solid international career with awards like the Grammy and top positions on Billboard's Latin charts. Though the adherence to a worn-out sentimental formula proved to be affective in commercial terms (more than 70 million albums sold in his career), it ultimately led him to be known, in the '80s and '90s, as a cheesy artist by youngsters and part of the adult listeners. Nevertheless, the mid-'90s witnessed a resurgence of Jovem Guarda talents through tributes of new rockers and Carlos reached the 21st century uncontestedly enjoying his absolute title: the King.
Roberto Carlos was from a lower-middle-class family. At six, he lost one of his legs and began using a prosthesis. At nine, he debuted on his home city's local radio. In 1955, he moved to Niterói (Rio de Janeiro) and then to Lins de Vasconcelos (a suburb of Rio de Janeiro), where he started to get into rock through Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard, at the same time he met Carlos Imperial, also from his hometown, who, as a TV and radio producer, would be of considerable importance to Carlos's early professional years. Two years later, Carlos performed at TV Tupi, singing "Tutti Frutti" (R. Penniman/J. Lubin/D. La Bostrie). In that period, he was scheduled to open a Bill Haley show at the Maracanazinho (Rio), when he became acquainted with Erasmo Carlos (then Erasmo Esteves). In 1958, Carlos met the "Matoso gang," as were known the future artists Tim Maia, Jorge Ben, and the same Erasmo Esteves, among others, who would meet at Matoso Street at Tijuca (a neighborhood of Rio). Carlos, Erasmo, and Tim Maia (together with Edson Trindade, Arlênio Lívio, and José Roberto "China") formed the group the Snacks (later the Sputniks), playing balls and performing on TV (including at Carlos Imperial's Clube do Rock on TV Continental, where Carlos was already a regular). The group was soon dissolved due to the incompatibility between Carlos and Maia.
After working as an extra in several films such as Agüenta o Rojão and Minha Sogra é da Polícia (in which they backed up Cauby Peixoto on one song), Carlos and Erasmo played together in Erasmo's quartet the Snakes until Carlos was called by Imperial to take Carlos Lyra's place in the Os Terríveis band that played Elvis Presley covers on TV shows and live performances contracted by Imperial.
Soon, Carlos left the band to try to become a bossa nova artist. Strongly influenced by João Gilberto in that period, Carlos often tried to "sit-in" at the famous temples Plaza nightclub and the clubs of the Beco das Garrafas, but to no avail. A testimony of his ephemeral and unaccomplished bossa nova phase is Carlos' first album, with "João e Maria" and "Fora do Tom" (both by Imperial). In August 1960, a new release was launched, again in the bossa vein, "Brotinho Sem Juízo" and "Canção do Amor Nenhum" (again, both by Imperial). At the same time, Carlos would participate regularly in shows presented by Imperial, Os Brotos Comandam (TV Continental and Rádio Guanabara) and Festa de Brotos (TV Tupi). In 1961, in the same year in which Carlos recorded his first LP (a derivation toward boleros and ballads, Louco por Você) that earned some acceptance at the time (3,500 copies sold in one year), he accepted the suggestion of the record company CBS and changed his style to youth music, starting to write songs with the composer/lyricist who would become his most important collaborator: Erasmo Carlos. The duo's first hit was Carlos' rendition for an Erasmo version of "Splish Splash" (Bobby Darin), having as the B-side another classic written by them, "Parei na Contramão." The album was recorded and launched in 1963 as Carlos' fifth 78 rpm, accompanied by Renato e seus Blue Caps. It sold 7,500 copies, a modest amount today, but it represented a considerable selling then and the milestone of a new time.
In 1964, the LP É Proibido Fumar (backed by the Youngsters) had hits with the title track (by Carlos/Erasmo) and with Erasmo's version of "Road Hog" (Gwen/John D. Loudermilk), "O Calhambeque." It sold almost 12,000 copies in 18 months and was considered high-selling then, but still behind the leader Carlos Alberto (a bolero singer), who was selling more than twice as much. Nevertheless, Carlos' nationwide success was ascending, with more and more invitations for TV and radio shows and CBS wanting to take him to Argentina. That year, Carlos recorded the same repertory in Spanish, also backed by the Youngsters, and the album Es Prohibido Fumar was released by the end of 1964 in Argentina. It was planned to also be distributed in Brazil, but as the military government considered anything in Spanish (the language of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara) dangerous to the country, the album was simply taken out of the catalog by the recording company.
In 1965, Carlos was elected the King for the first time by direct vote of the audience in a contest promoted by Antônio Aguillar on his Reino da Juventude show. Later, the title would be confirmed at the highly popular Chacrinha show and it would be his for life.
In the same year, Roberto Carlos Canta Para a Juventude broke all records established by the singer until then, by far surpassing Carlos Alberto and his Amor Perdido. Carlos' album reached fifth place according to IBOPE (a most-accredited public opinion research institute), however, it quickly fell several positions. In fact, he would only have an album at number one of the top parade by the end of the year, with his next LP. Until then, his rising success would sell over 20,000 copies of the double single with "História de um Homem Mau" (reaching fourth place on the charts) and 50,000 copies of his single "Não Quero Ver Você Triste",
On September 5, Roberto Carlos opened the legendary show Jovem Guarda as the main host and also featuring Vanderléa and Erasmo Carlos by his side. The show gave the name and directives to the first musical scene produced especially for Brazilian youth, representing a major cultural/behavioral/commercial breakthrough. After the show debut, Carlos' popularity reached levels unimagined until then. Scoring hits in Argentina and Brazil, Carlos became the best-seller for CBS. A double single with "A Garota do Baile," Carlos reached number two in November, behind the Beatles' "Help!" But his album Jovem Guarda, also launched in November, took only one week to push "Help!" out of number one on the Brazilian charts, selling almost 200,000 copies in one year. "Quero Que Vá Tudo Pro Inferno" became a nationwide hit and with the exception of brief periods of time, it reigned absolute at number one on the top parade during the entire first semester of 1966. After performing in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay — countries in which the Spanish version of "O Calhambeque" continued to have success — Carlos went to Europe in April 1966, singing in Portugal (where "Calhambeque" and "Quero Que Vá Tudo Pro Inferno" were in first place on Lisbon charts). Returning to Brazil, he soon departed for a tour that started in South America, then Central and North America, where he sang in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, then Europe (London, Paris, Berlin, and Lisbon). Roberto Carlos, released in December 1966 and went right to number one in the second week (remaining there until April 1967), sold 300,000 copies in less than a year. Also in 1967, Carlos starred the feature film Roberto Carlos em Ritmo de Aventura (whose soundtrack sold 300,000 copies, staying at number one from December 17 until June 1968; the film also broke all box-office records until then); won fifth place at the III FMPB (Festival of Brazilian Popular Music of the TV Record, São Paulo) with "Maria, Carnaval e Cinzas," by Luís Carlos Paraná (reaching number one as a single in November); participated in the MIDEM Festival in Cannes, France; and won the Chico Viola trophy for the songs "Quero Que Vá Tudo pro Inferno" and "Esqueça" and for the LP Jovem Guarda. In June of the same year, Carlos departed for a series of shows in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the U.S. In Italy, he participated in the Venice Song Festival.
In 1968, Carlos left Jovem Guarda, which due to his absence would soon cease to exist. His departure was a result of a mature decision to migrate from a youth idol profile to that of a romantic singer. In the same year, Carlos won the San Remo Festival (XVIII Festival della Canzone Italiana) with "Canzone Per Te" (Sergio Endrigo) and starred the film O Diamante Cor-de-Rosa (also a box office success), opening his own show Roberto Carlos à Noite (TV Record) on March 15. As a romantic singer, Carlos had several hits in the 1970s that still had his creative impetus, such as "Sua Estupidez," "As Flores do Jardim de Nossa Casa," "Jesus Cristo," "Amada Amante," "Detalhes," "Debaixo dos Caracóis dos Seus Cabelos," "A Montanha," "A Proposta," "Além do Horizonte," "Olha," "Amante à Moda Antiga," and "A Ilha" (all with Erasmo), along with "Como Vai Você?" (Antônio Marcos/Mário Marcos), and two songs written by Caetano Veloso especially for him, "Como Dois e Dois" and "Muito Romântico." In that decade, Carlos also consolidated his international career doing regular shows in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. In the year of 1970, he did his first show at the prestigious Canecão, which would be the first of his highly successful annual seasons at the most important Carioca hall in terms of media resonance. In the early '70s, Carlos became the top record-selling Brazilian artist, a position he would keep for many consecutive years. After 1976, his albums were selling over 1,000,000 copies. His 1977 album Roberto Carlos, with "Falando Sério," sold 2.2 million copies. His 1978 show also beat all records, with 250,000 spectators in six months throughout Brazil, while the album with "Café da Manhã," "Força Estranha," and "Lady Laura" sold 1.5 million copies.
In the '80s, Carlos also started to record in English and French (he had already recorded albums in Spanish, Italian, and, naturally, Portuguese), having won the Globo de Cristal trophy, awarded by CBS to Brazilian artists who sell more than five million copies outside Brazil. At the same time, his albums continued to break records in his country. "Caminhoneiro" (1984) was aired 3,000 times in a single day, another record soon beaten by his own "Verde e Amarelo" (1985), with 3,500 spins. In 1986, he had success at Radio City Music Hall (New York, NY) and, two years later, won the Grammy as the Best Latin American Pop singer. In 1989, his Sonrie reached first place on Billboard's Latin chart.
In the 1990s, Roberto Carlos became the first Latin American artist to sell more albums than the Beatles (in 1994, having by then sold over 70 million copies of his albums). In the mid-'90s, with the retro Jovem Guarda wave, Carlos, who was worn out among the younger generations who had only known his romantic and sentimental hits directed at a middle-aged audience, had his importance recuperated by young rockers such as Cássia Eller, Chico Science & Nação Zumbi, Barão Vermelho, and Skank, who recorded Rei, a tribute to him with his old Jovem Guarda hits.
In 1998, his second wife Maria Rita discovered she had cancer (she would die in 1999), which shattered his peace of mind. Trying to keep on with his career, Carlos continued to record and perform after one year of reclusion. In 2001, he broke his contract with Sony (ex-CBS), the recording company through which he had released a vast majority of his albums, due to commercial reasons related to his wife's demise.
Camionero
Roberto Carlos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Noche y madrugada entera
y mi amor aumenta más
Porque pienso en ella en el camino
Imagino su cariño
y todo el bien que ella me da
La nostalgia viene a hablar conmigo
Espantar la soledad
Voy de día un poco más veloz
De noche prendo los faroles
A iluminar la oscuridad
Yo sé, voy corriendo en busca de ella
Corazón tan disparado
Pero yo voy con cuidado
No me arriesgo en marcha suelta
Yo sé, siempre en ésa carretera
Al volante pienso en ella
Ya pinté en el parachoques
Un corazón y el nombre de ella
Ya rodé por mi país entero
Como todo camionero
Tuve lluvia y cerrazón
Cuando llueve el limpiador desliza
Va y viene el parabrisas
Late igual mi corazón
Loco por lo dulce de su beso
Miro lleno de deseo su retrato en el panel
Es en el calor de su abrazo que me olvido
Del cansancio y me abastezco de su miel
Yo sé, voy corriendo en busca de ella
Corazón tan disparado
Pero yo voy con cuidado
No me arriesgo en marcha suelta
Yo sé, siempre en ésa carretera
Al volante pienso en ella
Ya pinté en el parachoques
Un corazón y el nombre de ella
The lyrics of Roberto Carlos's song "Camionero" tell the story of a truck driver who spends most of his time on the road, driving day and night, but his love for a woman named "ella" grows stronger with each passing day. Despite being alone and feeling nostalgic, the driver finds solace in listening to the radio and imagining the love and care that "ella" gives him. As he travels down the road, he takes precautions and doesn't take unnecessary risks, always remembering "ella". The driver has traveled all over his country and faced challenging weather conditions and situations, but his love and desire for "ella" keep him going.
The emotions and experiences depicted in this song create a melancholy and wistful mood that resonates with many people who can relate to being away from loved ones for extended periods, which is common in trucking and other jobs that require travel. The lyrics convey the strong longing and boundless passion of the driver as he travels down the road, hoping to find his way back to "ella". The use of the metaphor of painting a heart with her name on his truck's bumper is a touching expression of the driver's love and commitment.
Overall, "Camionero" is a heartfelt ballad that highlights the struggles and sacrifices that many truck drivers face but also celebrates the power of love and the importance of having someone to come home to after a long journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day on the road
Roberto Carlos talks about his daily routine of driving on the road.
All night long, from dusk till dawn
He drives all night and early morning without stopping for rest.
And my love grows stronger
At the same time, his love for his significant other grows more profound.
Because I think of her along the way
Roberto Carlos thinks of his loved one while driving.
I imagine her affection
He imagines the care and love she has for him.
And all the good things she gives me
He remembers and reflects on all the good things she does for him.
Nostalgia comes to talk to me
He feels nostalgic and emotional while driving on the road.
With the radio, I can drive away loneliness
He uses the radio to keep him entertained and occupied while driving.
By day, I drive a little faster
During the day, Roberto Carlos goes a bit faster while driving.
At night, I turn on the headlights
He turns on the headlights to light up the darkness.
To light up the darkness
The headlights illuminate the road and provide guidance while driving.
I know, I'm racing to find her
Roberto Carlos is in a hurry to reach his loved one.
My heart is beating so fast
He feels excited and nervous at the same time.
But I am careful
Despite his excitement, he drives cautiously and responsibly.
I don't take any unnecessary risks
He doesn't do anything reckless or dangerous while driving.
I know, I'm always on this road
Roberto Carlos spends most of his time driving on this specific road.
While at the wheel, I think of her
Whenever he is driving, he keeps thinking about his significant other.
I already painted on the bumper
He has painted a heart and his loved one's name on the back of his truck.
I've traveled my whole country
Roberto Carlos has traveled all over his country while driving a truck.
Like any other truck driver, I've faced rain and fog
He has experienced various challenging weather conditions while driving on the road.
When it rains, the wipers slide
His wipers move back and forth during heavy rain.
And the windshield goes back and forth
The windshield wipers help him see the road better during rain.
But my heart beats the same
Despite the challenging weather, he remains focused and keeps his heart beating.
Crazy for the sweetness of her kiss
Roberto Carlos is madly in love with his significant other's affection and touch.
I look at her picture on the dashboard filled with desire
He looks at a picture of his loved one on his dashboard and feels longing and desire.
And in the warmth of her embrace, I forget
Whenever he hugs her, all his worries and exhaustion disappear.
About the tiredness and draw strength from her honey
He finds strength and energy in his loved one's tenderness and love.
I know, I'm racing to find her
He is impatient and in a rush to meet his significant other.
My heart is beating so fast
He feels nervous and exhilarated at the same time.
But I am careful
Despite his excitement, he drives carefully and responsibly.
I don't take any unnecessary risks
He avoids doing anything dangerous or reckless while driving.
I know, I'm always on this road
Roberto Carlos spends most of his time driving on this particular road.
While at the wheel, I think of her
Whenever he drives, he keeps thinking about his loved one.
I already painted on the bumper
He has painted a heart and his significant other's name on the back of his truck.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERASMO CARLOS, JOHN HARTFORD, ROBERTO CARLOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jorgeeduardocastillosandov312
Tengo 38 años y fui criado en un camión con mi viejo desde que tenia 4 años y esta canción me ase sentir orgulloso de ser hijo de camionero ahora yo recorro las rutas que asíamos juntos. Cuidame viejito ahora desde el cielo.. Amigo. Papá y colega siempre te amaré.
@JorgeAparicioOsorno-XE-RTMX
Con esta canción yo también me siento orgulloso de ser hijo de camionero 🚛
@yelbabenavidez9840
❤ que hermosa historia
@user-oz1yp7fm2b
Soy, camionero y lo digo con orgullo no es fácil, se pasa tantas dificultades, por qué negarlo, no soporté y me hice en mi pantalón.
@adrianvanhorn1878
Cuando canto esta canción no puedo evitar llorar al recordar que un dia fui feliz en la 57.. Hoy estoy paralizado de mas de medio cuerpo y mi amada enferma😔 sólo pido a Dios un dia me conceda a mi y a mi amada la salud para vivir experiencias juntos en la carretera. Traía un sencillo y un viaje antes de subir y haberme decidido a acceder al full sufrí una agresion afuera de mi casa y me dispararon. Me dejaron parapléjico y sólo los recuerdos me quedan y la esperanza de ver sana a mi amada y ser sano yo también para darle lo mejor a mi compañerita
@charmuto82
AMEN, Dios te bendiga amigo
@u-stupid-nig
Asi sera en el nombre de Jesus.❤
@CesarMorales-ld5xz
God bless you brother
@alcidesrios2341
Nadie es eterno en la tierra, pero nuestro Dios creador es santo y no puede ser burlado
@jorgeluismachadojaramillo3056
Amén 🙏 cuidate