Maia performed in a variety of musical genres, ranging from happy and energetic dance music to sentimental songs such as his hit "Me Dê Motivo". He performed soul music, funk, bossa nova (in the 1990s), romantic songs, American pop, samba, baião, and Música Popular Brasileira.
He started to write his earliest songs at eight and at 14, as a drummer, he formed the group Os Tijucanos do Ritmo, which lasted one year. He then took guitar classes and was soon teaching children in the neighborhood of Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro, including the Matoso gang (Maia, Jorge Ben, Erasmo Esteves, later Erasmo Carlos, and several others), named after the street where they used to hang out.
In that period, Maia was the guitar teacher of Esteves and when Roberto Carlos joined the gang in 1958, he also took classes with him. Maia, Carlos, and Esteves (together with Edson Trindade, Arlênio Lívio, and José Roberto "China") formed the group The Snakes (later The Sputniks), playing balls and performing on television (including on Carlos Imperial's Clube do Rock on TV Continental, where Carlos was already a regular). The group was soon dissolved due to incompatibility between Carlos and Maia.
After his father's demise in 1959, Maia won a scholarship to study communications in the United States, where he lived for four years. There he started as a vocalist, having joined the Ideals, but in 1963, he was arrested for possession of Weed.
Jailed for six months and then deported to Brazil, he did not find any warmth on the part of his old comrades Esteves and Carlos, who were beginning to enjoy the massive success of Jovem Guarda, which would get a grip on the entire country in a few years. Moving to São Paulo, he had some support from Os Mutantes instead. Having recorded in 1968 his first single with his compositions "Meu País" and "Sentimento," he became more visible after 1969 when he launched his "These Are the Songs," which was re-recorded by Elis Regina in the next year, in duo with him and included on Regina's Em Pleno Verão.
In the 1970s, Maia started to record albums and perform shows promoting his synthesis of American soul and Brazilian music with elements of samba and baião. The movement gradually took the working-class suburbs of the north side of Rio de Janeiro, exploding in 1976 with the black movement.
In 1970 Maia recorded his first full-length LP, Tim Maia, which included the classics "Azul da Cor do Mar", "Coroné Antônio Bento", and "Primavera", and topped the charts for 24 weeks in Rio de Janeiro. His first four albums were all self-titled. Next year's Tim Maia had other hits including "Não Quero Dinheiro (Só Quero Amar)" and "Preciso Aprender a Ser Só". His fourth album, released in 1973, included "Réu Confesso" and "Gostava Tanto de Você".
Maia founded two record labels: Vitória Régia Discos and Seroma. Through the latter he released the albums Tim Maia Racional, Vols. 1 & 2, both with songs about the knowledge contained in the Rational Culture, in the book Universo em Desencanto (Universe in Disenchantment). Although these albums were not well-received at their time of release, they are now regarded as classics and saw re-release in 2005. In 1978 Maia had one of his biggest hits, "Sossego," and another success with "Acenda o Farol," both launched on Tim Maia Disco Club.
In 1983 he had hits with "O Descobridor dos Sete Mares" and "Me Dê Motivo", included on O Descobridor dos Sete Mares (Polygram). Another milestone of his career in the 1980s was Tim Maia (1986), which had the hit "Do Leme ao Pontal (Tomo Guaraná, Suco de Caju, Goiabada Para Sobremesa)".
In 1990 he interpreted bossa nova classics on an album released through his label Vitória Régia that wasn't noticed, the LP Tim Maia Interpreta Clássicos da Bossa Nova. After a period of poor presence in the media, he was again on top after being mentioned by Jorge Ben Jor's "W/Brasil" in 1993. In the same period, Maia had another hit with his re-recording of "Como uma Onda" (Lulu Santos/Nelson Motta) for a television advertisement.
At the same time, he withdrew from majors, recording his next albums through Vitória Régia, including What a Wonderful World (1997), where he recorded American pop/soul classics, and Amigos do Rei/Tim Maia e Os Cariocas, with the famous vocal group. Obese and in bad health, in March 1998 he was performing at the Municipal Theater of Niterói when he became ill. Hospitalized, he died few days later. Tim had suffered from many health problems which includes Diabetes, Acute Hypertension, Obesity and Pulmonary Embolisim. In 1999 he was paid tribute in a show by several Música Popular Brasileira artists. The show was launched on CD and DVD. In 2000 he had another tribute, also released in CD.
Cristina Nº 2
Tim Maia Lyrics
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Mi camino es ida sin vuelta
Una estrella amiga me guía
Mi ala presa se suelta y yo
Voy a ver a Cristina
Voy a ver a Cristina
Voy a ver a Cristina, aja
Y por dónde voy, voy dejando
Voy cubrir de flores la estrada
Y un vermejo amor, madrugada, yo
Voy a ver a Cristina
Yo voy a ver a Cristina
Voy a ver a Cristina, aja
Yo voy a ver Cristina
Yo voy a verla
Minha menina
Yo voy a verla Cristina
Yo voy a ver
Ver Cristina
Yo voy a ver Cristina
Eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh ella
Hmm ella
Yo voy a ver Cristina
These lyrics are from the song "Cristina Nº 2" by Tim Maia. The song tells the story of the singer embarking on a journey to see someone named Cristina. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, determination, and love towards Cristina.
In the first paragraph, the singer announces his intention to leave and go far away. He describes his journey as a one-way trip, implying that he has no intention of returning. The mention of a guiding friend star suggests that he feels supported and protected in his endeavor. The line "My wing prey is released" indicates that he is ready to take a leap of faith and pursue his desires.
The repetition of the phrase "Voy a ver a Cristina" in each paragraph emphasizes his intense desire to see Cristina. This repetition emphasizes his determination and eagerness to reach his destination.
In the second paragraph, the singer reflects on the path he has taken, leaving behind marks of his bleeding heart. This suggests that the journey has not been easy and may have caused emotional pain. However, he remains committed and continues to move forward.
The third paragraph paints a picture of the singer adorning the road with flowers, symbolizing his expression of love and devotion towards Cristina. The mention of a vermilion (red) love in the early morning suggests that his affection for her is passionate and intense.
The fourth paragraph further emphasizes his yearning to see Cristina. The repetition of the phrase "Yo voy a ver Cristina" expresses his excitement and anticipation. The inclusion of "Minha menina" adds a touch of endearment to Cristina. The repetition of her name in the final lines shows his single-minded focus and determination to finally see her.
Overall, these lyrics portray the singer's unwavering commitment and desire to be with Cristina, presenting a story of love and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Voy partir ahora muy lejos
I'm going to leave now, far away
Mi camino es ida sin vuelta
My path is one-way, no turning back
Una estrella amiga me guía
A friendly star guides me
Mi ala presa se suelta y yo
My captive wing is released and I
Voy a ver a Cristina
I'm going to see Cristina
Voy a ver a Cristina, aja
I'm going to see Cristina, oh yeah
Y por dónde voy, voy dejando
And wherever I go, I leave behind
Marcas de mi pecho sangrando
Marks from my bleeding chest
Voy cubrir de flores la estrada
I'm going to cover the road with flowers
Y un vermejo amor, madrugada, yo
And a passionate love, dawn, I
Yo voy a ver Cristina
I'm going to see Cristina
Voy a ver a Cristina, aja
I'm going to see Cristina, oh yeah
Yo voy a ver Cristina
I'm going to see Cristina
Yo voy a verla
I'm going to see her
Minha menina
My girl
Yo voy a verla Cristina
I'm going to see her, Cristina
Yo voy a ver
I'm going to see
Ver Cristina
See Cristina
Yo voy a ver Cristina
I'm going to see Cristina
Eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh ella
Eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh her
Hmm ella
Hmm her
Yo voy a ver Cristina
I'm going to see Cristina
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carlos Imperial, Sebastiao Rodrigues Maia
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind