Lança Perfume
| "Lança Perfume" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Rita Lee | ||||
| from the album Rita Lee | ||||
| B-side | "Lança Perfume (instrumental)" | |||
| Released | 1980 | |||
| Recorded | 1980 | |||
| Studio | Sigla, Rio de Janeiro | |||
| Genre | Disco | |||
| Length | 5:15 | |||
| Label | Barclay | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Guto Graça Mello | |||
| Rita Lee singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Lança Perfume" is a song by Rita Lee, released in 1980 from her self-titled album, written by Lee and her husband Roberto de Carvalho.[1]
Despite being banned in her native Brazil by the Divisão de Censura de Diversões Públicas, the song was a top 5 hit. It was also an international hit in several countries.
Composition
In an interview with Papo com Clê, Roberto de Carvalho explained on how the song was written, "I did it on the piano. I remember I was on the piano in the dining room, and my father was there listening. Rita hadn't written the lyrics yet, but she wrote the melody. Once I finished writing the song, my father said this song is going to be a hit.[2]
In an interview with GNZ News, Lee explained that the song's title was inspired by her childhood, where everytime the SC Corinthians Paulista won a tournament, her father Charles distributed inhalable perfume throwers to the entire family. The song is otherwise an ode to her love for Carvalho, including racy lyrics like "Put me in all fours, fill me with love". The introduction of the track came about after Carvalho and Lincoln Olivetti presented two introductions. Eventually, Guto Graça Mello, the album's producer, chose to use both.[3][4]
In 2020, Rita told Veja magazine that she barely had any memory recording the song, but remembers the ambience in the studio at that time.[5]
Release and reception
Upon the song's release, "Lança Perfume" was banned by the Divisão de Censura de Diversões Públicas because of the title being named after an inhalant drug. This didn't stop the song from reaching the Top 5 in her native Brazil, peaking at No. 3.[6]
It was also a Top 10 hit in France, where it peaked at No. 7. It was released in the United States in July 1981 and was a minor hit in the disco chart, peaking at No. 70. The song sold more than 200,000 copies in France and 800,000 copies worldwide.[7]
It is one of Charles III's favorite songs.[8]
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Troféu Imprensa[9] | Melhor Música | Won |
Chart performance
| Chart (1980-1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Brazil (ABPD)[10] | 3 |
| Argentina (CAPIF)[11] | 2 |
| France (SNEP)[12] | 7 |
| Spain (SPA)[13] | 27 |
| US Dance (Billboard)[14] | 70 |
References
- ^ Severiano, Jairo; de Mello, Zuza (1997). A canção no tempo: 1958-1985. Editora 34. p. 280-282. Retrieved December 23, 2025 – via Google Books.
- ^ Henrique, Cesar (January 28, 2025). "Roberto de Carvalho relembra composição de "Lança Perfume", ao lado de Rita Lee". Blog Música Boa. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ Stein, Leandro (September 5, 2023). ""O Corinthians é a maior banda de rock de todos os tempos": O amor branco e preto de Rita Lee". Trivela. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ Talarica, Fernanda (September 5, 2025). "Carta inédita e lança-perfume em casa: curiosidades do novo doc da Rita Lee". Universo Online. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ Cruz, Felipe (March 9, 2023). "Os grandes sucessos de Rita Lee – explicados por ela mesma". Veja. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "'Me deixa de 4 no ato': como a ditadura usou a censura contra Rita Lee". Universo Online. May 10, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "Rita Lee: As conquistas de Rita com a música "Lança Perfume"". Universo Online. May 24, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "Rei Charles é fã de Rita Lee e sabe músicas de cor". Rolling Stone. May 9, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "Troféu Imprensa 1980". Chance de Gol. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Radio World. April 11, 1981. p. 45. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "International Best Sellers - May 16, 1981" (PDF). Cashbox. May 16, 1981. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "Ventes formats courts France (retours déduits) 1981". TOP France. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 41. October 17, 1981. p. 45. Retrieved December 23, 2025.