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.
Minha Tia
Roberto Carlos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Titia Amélia há quanto tempo a gente não se vê
F7 Bb7M
Mas acredite eu me lembro sempre muito de você
D7 Gm Gm/F
Eu não esqueço aquele tempo e a saudade me machuca
A7 D7
Quando eu ficava em sua casa numa Vila da Tijuca
Você sabia que eu queria ser cantor profissional
F7 Bb7M
E vinha lá de Niterói pra ir a Rádio Nacional
D7 Gm7 Gm/F
Usando aquele antigo e tão surrado meu blusão de couro
A7 D7
Ia cantar minha esperança num programa de calouros
G7M Am7 D7 Am7 D7 G7M
A minha vida mudou eu sei mas as lembranças eu guardarei
C G D7 Gm
Tudo vai bem, titia pode crer eu me lembro sempre de você
Gm Cm
Troquei a vida lá da vila por arranha céus gigantes
F7 Bb7M
E aquela sua comidinha eu não encontro em restaurantes
D7 Gm Gm/F
Eu já não faço a minha cama como antes eu fazia
A7 D7
E a minha roupa limpa tem um jeito de lavanderia
Gm Cm7
Titia o meu endereço é uma grande confusão
F7 Bb7M
Estou morando atualmente dentro de um avião
D7 Gm Gm/F
Não se preocupe que problemas você sabe muito bem
A7 D7
Em Niterói, Tijuca ou Londres todo mundo sempre tem
G7M Am D7 Am7 D7 G7M
A minha vida mudou eu sei mas as lembranças eu guardarei
C7M
Tudo vai bem, titia pode crer
G D7 G Eb7 Ab7M Bbm7 Eb7 Bbm7 Eb7 Ab7M Db AbEb Ab Eb Abm
Eu me lembro sempre de você
G#m C#m7
Segue um retrato autografado com um carinho especial
F#7 B7M
O que escrevi na realidade não é muito original mas são
D#7 G#m7 G#m/F#
Palavras tão sinceras minha tia pode crer
A#7 D#7
O tempo passa mas estou lembrando sempre de você
G#7M A#m7 D#7 A#m7 D#7 G#7M
A minha vida mudou eu sei mas as lembranças eu guardarei
C#7M G# D#7 G# D#7
The song "Minha Tia" by Roberto Carlos is a nostalgic tribute to an aunt he hasn't seen in a long time. The opening lines express this sentiment, as he acknowledges their long separation and his ongoing thoughts of her. He fondly recalls spending time in her house in the Vila da Tijuca, where he shared his aspirations of becoming a professional singer. He traveled from Niterói to the Rádio Nacional to sing his dreams on a program of up-and-coming performers. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has achieved success but still remembers and appreciates the people and places that shaped him.
The song reflects a bittersweet mood, as Roberto Carlos acknowledges that life has taken him far from where he started. He misses the small things, like his aunt's cooking and the familiar routines of his earlier days. He recognizes that he has traded the simplicity of life in the Vila for huge skyscrapers and complicated living arrangements. However, he also shows that his experiences have brought him wisdom and perspective, allowing him to value the memories and people of his past. The song ends with a sweet sentiment, as he promises to always remember his aunt and keep her close in his heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Titia Amélia há quanto tempo a gente não se vê
It's been a while since we last met, Aunt Amélia
Mas acredite eu me lembro sempre muito de você
Believe me, I always remember you
Eu não esqueço aquele tempo e a saudade me machuca
I don't forget those times and the feeling of missing you hurts me
Quando eu ficava em sua casa numa Vila da Tijuca
When I used to stay at your house in Vila da Tijuca
Você sabia que eu queria ser cantor profissional
You knew I wanted to be a professional singer
E vinha lá de Niterói pra ir a Rádio Nacional
And I used to come from Niterói to go to Rádio Nacional
Usando aquele antigo e tão surrado meu blusão de couro
Wearing my old and worn leather jacket
Ia cantar minha esperança num programa de calouros
I would sing my hopes on a talent show
A minha vida mudou eu sei mas as lembranças eu guardarei
I know my life has changed, but I'll always keep the memories
Troquei a vida lá da vila por arranha céus gigantes
I traded the village life for huge skyscrapers
E aquela sua comidinha eu não encontro em restaurantes
And I can't find your homemade food in restaurants
Eu já não faço a minha cama como antes eu fazia
I don't make my bed like I used to
E a minha roupa limpa tem um jeito de lavanderia
And my clean clothes have a laundry-like feel
Titia o meu endereço é uma grande confusão
Aunt, my address is quite confusing
Estou morando atualmente dentro de um avião
I'm currently living inside an airplane
Não se preocupe que problemas você sabe muito bem
Don't worry, you know how to deal with problems
Em Niterói, Tijuca ou Londres todo mundo sempre tem
In Niterói, Tijuca or London, everyone always has problems
Segue um retrato autografado com um carinho especial
Here's an autographed picture with a special affection
O que escrevi na realidade não é muito original mas são
What I wrote is not very original, but they are
Palavras tão sinceras minha tia pode crer
Very sincere words, believe me, Aunt
O tempo passa mas estou lembrando sempre de você
Time goes by, but I always remember you
Contributed by Tristan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@iaponirasoglia4299
Sabe meu amorzinho fofo essa linda maravilhosa canção que você fez pra titia 💃 Amélia eu também canto pra minha titia 💃 avó que para mim era igualzinha titia Amélia pra você #AmoreMio
Então eu canto exatamente assim:
"Titia 💃 Neuza quanto tempo a gente não se vê
Mas acredite eu me lembro sempre muito de você
Eu não esqueço aquele tempo e a saudade me machuca
Quando eu ficava em sua casa numa Vila da Tijuca"
Hoje minha titia 💃 avó (em memória) meu querido anjinho azul!
Obrigada 👏👏 de ❤️ por tudo isso meu Bebê gostoso!
"Essas recordações me matan"
#MinhaVida 💕
@jorgereis1089
Ele lembra de detalhes especiais de uma segunda mãe, maravilhosa, que é a sua tia 💗 Amélia, que juventude abençoada Roberto tevê, que depoimentos lindo em forma de música e homenagear a sua tia.
@elienesouza8896
Linda Demais.Tia Amélia deve ter ficado muito Feliz com esta homenagem!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤗🤗
@margarida7364
Bom dia Roberto Carlos!
Eu ofereço esta canção as minhas queridas TITIAS e TITIOS. Saudades de qundo eu era adolescente e passava o fim de semana na casa de uma delas. Ofereço a todas as TITIAS DO NOSSO BRASIL.
OBRIGADA POR ESTA BELA CANÇÃO FAMILIAR.DA NORDESTINA PE 🏖😘
@luizsettifilho
Uma homenagem à Tia Amélia, pianista brasileira consagrada, compositora de choros, falecida em 1983.
@adiliaribeiro9
Paz à sua Alma linda, Deus Abençoe, ilumine a sua viagem céleste 🕯️
@samuelcoelho1609
Coincidência Roberto! Também tive uma Tia chamada Amélia! Qdo eu era criança sempre que ouvia essa musica me lembrava dela!👍👊👊
@jariska6154
Amélia é que era a mulher de verdade
@iaponirasoglia4299
Sabe meu amorzinho fofo essa linda maravilhosa canção que você fez pra titia 💃 Amélia eu também canto pra minha titia 💃 avó que para mim era igualzinha titia Amélia pra você #AmoreMio
Então eu canto exatamente assim:
"Titia 💃 Neuza quanto tempo a gente não se vê
Mas acredite eu me lembro sempre muito de você
Eu não esqueço aquele tempo e a saudade me machuca
Quando eu ficava em sua casa numa Vila da Tijuca"
Hoje minha titia 💃 avó (em memória) meu querido anjinho azul!
Obrigada 👏👏 de ❤️ por tudo isso meu Bebê gostoso!
"Essas recordações me matan"
#MinhaVida 💕
@augustojunior9675
Bom dia Cavaleiro! Amo todas as suas canções. Agora mesmo vou viajar, ouvindo suas canções na boleia do meu caminhão. 🤝🏻
@gracabernardesgb3179
Deus abençoe vocês sempre Lindíssima música Ameeei maravilhoso excelente cantor 👏♥️👏♥️