Always onward, in the infinite nothingness

At eight o’clock in the morning of June 28, 1945 in Salvador, Bahia, one of the greatest Brazilian artists of the 20th century was born, also known as the father of rock in Brazil for having been one of the first to interpret songs by Elvis, Beatles and compose 21 albums of his wide and original discography.

Following advice from great artists of the time and already with some regional success, Seixas moved to Rio de Janeiro and lived for some time as an English teacher until he was hired by CBS as a producer, where he started his partnership with the world best Seller, Paulo Coelho.

Raul was interested in philosophy, psychology, history, literature and Latin. And as he said in his own words: “Brazil already has many singers”. Encouraging a deeper approach and beyond entertainment. His proposal, still with Paulo Coelho, was that people could have more freedom to do what they really like with their lives, and had the motto “do what you want, it will be all of the Law.”

Some of his songs, like Ouro de tolo (fool’s gold), encourage people to look at their lives with a more critical eye. Others encourage people to pursue their dreams, as in Tente outra vez (try again).

His songs bring in a poetic way several questions considered as taboo in the 70’s, 80’s, and even today, although adding an exoteric and spiritualist tone to many of them, as in his song Gita.

Metamorfose Ambulante says:

“I’d rather be that metamorphosis than have that old opinion formed about everything”.

Raul had to go into exile in New York with his companion Coelho and in the face of serious threats from the military government, until he died in 1989, not with a glass of whiskey, as in his song “I sing my death”, but with a heart attack.

His work shows that there are several alternatives for life and that it is possible. His name became a mantra and here he is, 31 years later, still alive.

With nothing more to say, this article ends with the classic:

Toca Raul!

—

Note: Toca Raul Means “Play Raul!”, A very frequent phrase in brazilian shows, when people ask musicians to play Raul Seixa’s songs.

[end]