Initially playing in colleges, Toquinho's professional career took off in the 1960s at shows promoted by radio personality Walter Silva at the famous Paramount theater in São Paulo. He composed his first recorded song with Chico Buarque entitled "Lua Cheia" (Full Moon). His first big hit was composed in 1970 with Jorge Benjor, "Que Maravilha" (What a Wonder). That same year he was invited by Vinícius de Moraes, co-writer of the worldwide hit song "Garota de Ipanema" (The Girl from Ipanema), to participate in a series of shows in Buenos Aires, forming a solid partnership that would continue for 11 years and produce 120 songs, 25 records and over a thousand shows.
After the death of Vinícius de Moraes in 1980, he went on to pursue a solo career, often performing with other talented musicians like Paulinho da Viola, Danilo Caymmi, Paulinho Nogueira and Chico Buarque. He continues to record and play.
Corcovado
Toquinho Lyrics
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Este amor, uma canção
Pra fazer feliz a quem se ama
Muita calma pra pensar
E ter tempo pra sonhar
Da janela vê-se o Corcovado
Quero a vida sempre assim com você perto de mim
Até o apagar da velha chama
E eu que era triste
Descrente deste mundo
Ao encontrar você eu conheci
O que é felicidade meu amor
O que é felicidade, o que é felicidade
The lyrics of Toquinho's song "Corcovado" speak to the simplicity and beauty of love. The opening lines, "Um cantinho e um violão, Este amor, uma canção, Pra fazer feliz a quem se ama" (A little corner and a guitar, This love, a song, To make the one you love happy), convey the idea of finding joy and fulfillment in the small things, symbolized by a simple corner and a guitar.
The following lines, "Muita calma pra pensar, E ter tempo pra sonhar" (Plenty of calmness to think, And time to dream), highlight the importance of taking a step back, reflecting, and allowing oneself the freedom to dream. It suggests that within a peaceful and thoughtful state, one can achieve a deeper understanding of love and happiness.
The lyrics then shift to describe the view from a window, specifically of the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, which is home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. The phrase "O Redentor que lindo" (The Redeemer, how beautiful) expresses admiration for the majestic sight. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the beauty and serenity that can be found in love and being close to the person you care for.
The final lines, "E eu que era triste, Descrente deste mundo, Ao encontrar você eu conheci, O que é felicidade meu amor, O que é felicidade" (And I who was sad, Disbelieving in this world, When I found you, I discovered, What happiness is my love, What happiness is), reveal a personal transformation. The singer expresses that before finding love, they were unhappy and disillusioned with the world. However, upon meeting their partner, they came to understand what true happiness is.
Overall, "Corcovado" is a song that celebrates the power of love to bring fulfillment, joy, and a newfound appreciation for life.
Line by Line Meaning
Um cantinho e um violão
A small space and a guitar
Este amor, uma canção
This love, a song
Pra fazer feliz a quem se ama
To make the one you love happy
Muita calma pra pensar
Plenty of calmness to think
E ter tempo pra sonhar
And have time to dream
Da janela vê-se o Corcovado
From the window you can see the Corcovado
O Redentor que lindo
The Redeemer, how beautiful
Quero a vida sempre assim com você perto de mim
I want life always like this, with you close to me
Até o apagar da velha chama
Until the old flame fades
E eu que era triste
And I who was sad
Descrente deste mundo
Doubting this world
Ao encontrar você eu conheci
Upon finding you, I discovered
O que é felicidade meu amor
What happiness is, my love
O que é felicidade, o que é felicidade
What happiness is, what happiness is
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Antonio Carlos Jobim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind