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.
Doce Vida
Toquinho Lyrics
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Conta a mentira mais antiga,
A do cinema com uma amiga,
Jura com as mãos fazendo figa,
Mas fica aqui do meu lado
Eu juro, eu finjo que esqueço o passado
Nem te pergunto mais nada
Com a pintura retocada,
Ligeiramente perfumada
Depois das três da madrugada
E eu te esperando acordado
Fingindo fazer meu imposto atrasado
Mas quando eu penso em teus doces carinhos,
Tua malícia, teus denguinhos,
Não dou bola aos burburinhos,
Deixo o vizinho falar
Num segundo seu mundo é só meu
Bem no fundo seu dono sou eu
Vem segunda-feira e a ladainha costumeira,
É dia de cabeleireira, de massagista e costureira,
Ela ainda espalha que é solteira
E eu dando um duro dobrado
Às vezes finjo que fico zangado,
Mas ela logo despista,
Vem me acusando de egoísta,
Que cismo à toa com o dentista,
Tenho ciúme do analista e um amigo comunista
E eu fico desconsolado
E finjo assim como quem deixa de lado
Sou seu companheiro nos seus descaminhos,
Toda rosa tem espinhos,
Não dou bola aos burburinhos,
Deixo o vizinho falar
Num segundo seu mundo é só meu
Bem no fundo, seu dono sou eu
The lyrics of the song "Doce Vida" by Toquinho depict the complex and often tumultuous dynamics of a relationship. The song starts with the singer asking their partner to lie and pretend that any rumors of infidelity were just misunderstandings. The partner swears, crossing their fingers, but the singer knows that they might be lying. However, the singer is willing to let go of the past and doesn't ask any more questions.
The song progresses as the singer talks about waiting up for their partner, who arrives late and slightly perfumed, implying that they were with someone else. However, the singer is willing to overlook this because they remember the sweet moments that they've shared together. This highlights the complicated nature of relationships and how love can sometimes make people forgive even the most hurtful actions.
Throughout the song, the singer talks about the different ways in which their partner lies and tries to manipulate them. Whether it's by pretending to be single or accusing the singer of being jealous, the partner seems to manipulate the singer's emotions. Despite this, the singer still considers themselves the "owner" of the partner's world, illustrating how possessive and all-consuming love can be.
Overall, the song presents a deep and introspective look at the complexities of a relationship. It shows the different ways in which people can love, forgive and hold on, despite the trials and tribulations that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Diga que dessa vez foi tudo intriga,
Tell me that this was all just a misunderstanding,
Conta a mentira mais antiga,
Just use your old lies,
A do cinema com uma amiga,
Like the one about the movie with a female friend,
Jura com as mãos fazendo figa,
Swear to me with your fingers crossed,
Mas fica aqui do meu lado
But stay here with me,
Eu juro, eu finjo que esqueço o passado
I promise, I'll pretend to forget the past,
Nem te pergunto mais nada
I won't ask you any more questions.
Se você chega na calada
If you show up secretly,
Com a pintura retocada,
With your make-up reapplied,
Ligeiramente perfumada
Slightly perfumed,
Depois das três da madrugada
After three in the morning,
E eu te esperando acordado
And I'm waiting for you awake,
Fingindo fazer meu imposto atrasado
Pretending to work on my overdue taxes.
Mas quando eu penso em teus doces carinhos,
But when I remember your sweet affection,
Tua malícia, teus denguinhos,
Your cunning, your coyness,
Não dou bola aos burburinhos,
I don't pay attention to the rumors,
Deixo o vizinho falar
I let the neighbors talk.
Num segundo seu mundo é só meu
In a second, your world is all mine,
Bem no fundo seu dono sou eu
Deep down, I'm your owner.
Vem segunda-feira e a ladainha costumeira,
Then comes Monday and the usual excuses,
É dia de cabeleireira, de massagista e costureira,
It's the day for the hairstylist, masseuse, and seamstress,
Ela ainda espalha que é solteira
She's still spreading the rumor that she's single,
E eu dando um duro dobrado
And I'm working hard,
Às vezes finjo que fico zangado,
Sometimes I pretend to be angry,
Mas ela logo despista,
But she quickly distracts me.
Vem me acusando de egoísta,
She accuses me of being selfish,
Que cismo à toa com o dentista,
That I'm obsessed with going to the dentist,
Tenho ciúme do analista e um amigo comunista
I'm jealous of the therapist and a communist friend,
E eu fico desconsolado
And I'm left feeling sad,
E finjo assim como quem deixa de lado
And I pretend to just let it go.
Sou seu companheiro nos seus descaminhos,
I'm your partner in your misadventures,
Toda rosa tem espinhos,
Every rose has its thorns,
Não dou bola aos burburinhos,
I don't pay attention to the rumors,
Deixo o vizinho falar
I let the neighbors talk.
Num segundo seu mundo é só meu
In a second, your world is all mine,
Bem no fundo, seu dono sou eu
Deep down, I'm your owner.
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.