Antonio Pecci Filho (born in São Paulo, Brazil on July 6, 1946), originally… Read Full Bio ↴Antonio Pecci Filho (born in São Paulo, Brazil on July 6, 1946), originally nicknamed "Toquinho" by his mother, is a Brazilian singer and guitarist. He is well-known for his collaborations, as composer and performer, with Vinícius de Moraes. He began his guitar studies at the age of 14 with Paulinho Nogueira and went on to study harmony with Edgar Janulo, classical guitar with Isaias Sávio and orchestration with Léo Peracchi. He also studied with and befriended Oscar Castro-Neves.

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.

Samba Para Vinícius
Toquinho Lyrics

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Poeta, meu poeta camarada
Poeta da pesada do pagode e do perdão
Perdoa essa canção improvisada
Em tua inspiração de todo o coração
Da moça e do violão, do fundo

Poeta, poetinha vagabundo
Virado, viramundo

Vira e mexe, paga e vê
Que a vida não gosta de esperar
A vida é pra valer
A vida é pra levar
Vininha, velho, saravá

Poeta, meu poeta camarada
Poeta da pesada do pagode e do perdão
Perdoa essa canção improvisada
Em tua inspiração
De todo o coração
Da moça e do violão, do fundo

Poeta, poetinha vagabundo
Quem dera todo mundo fosse assim feito você
Que a vida não gosta de esperar
A vida é pra valer
A vida é pra levar
Vininha, velho, saravá

A vida é pra valer
A vida é pra levar
Vininha, velho, saravá
A vida é pra valer
A vida é pra levar
Vininha, velho, saravá

A vida é pra valer
A vida é pra levar
Vininha, velho, saravá
A vida é pra valer
A vida é pra levar
Vininha, velho, saravá

A vida é pra valer
A vida é pra levar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Samba Pra Vinícius are a tribute to the great Brazilian poet Vinicius de Moraes, who was also a close friend and collaborator of Toquinho and Chico Buarque. The song starts by referring to Vinicius as a "heavyweight" poet of both pagode (a type of Brazilian samba) and forgiveness, and asks for his forgiveness for the improvised song being offered in his tribute. The song further describes the inspiration for the song as coming from the deep places of a woman's heart and the sound of a guitar, creating a uniquely intimate and soulful sound.

The second paragraph of the song addresses Vinicius again, describing him as a "vagabond little poet" and expressing the hope that everyone could be like him. The song acknowledges the impermanence of life and the need to live it to the fullest, stating that "life is for real" and "life is to be carried away". The closing line "Vininha, old man, saravá" is a salute commonly used in Brazilian samba culture to acknowledge a respected elder or mentor, and emphasizes the connection between the three musicians and Vinicius.

Line by Line Meaning

Poeta
Addressing Vinícius de Moraes as a poet

Meu poeta camarada
My friendly poet

Poeta da pesada
Vinícius is a great poet

Do pagode e do perdão
He is versed in different styles of music, and his lyrics inspire forgiveness

Perdoa essa canção improvisada
Asking for forgiveness for improvising a song in his honor

Em tua inspiração
This song was written with Vinícius as the source of inspiration

De todo o coração
Written with all sincerity

Da moça e do violão
From the girl and her guitar

Do fundo
From the bottom of my heart

Poetinha vagabundo
Affectionately addressing Vinícius as a vagabond poet

Quem dera todo mundo
Wishing everyone was like Vinícius, a unique and talented individual