How Capital Inicial’s version of “First Errors” became an anthem for Flamengo fans

The music that drives the reds and blacks was born without pretension: in a community of Orkut, a social network deactivated in 2014, the pharmacy assistant and YouTuber Eric Barceleiro came across a forum to create new fan anthems, with the theme of the World Cup won in 1981 as a common thread. A fan of the group Capital Inicial, he used the melody of “Primeiros Erros”, a hit from the album “Acústico MTV”, released in 2000, and took the opportunity to write the first version of the parody.

After several collaborations with other members of the community, he arrived at the final product in 2011: “In December 81 / He put the English in the ring / 3-0 in Liverpool / It was marked in history / And in Rio there is no other / Only Flamengo is world champion / And now his people / Ask for the world again / Give it to them, give it to them, Mengo / Ride on them Flamengo”.

— After many years, in 2017, music has come into its own. Videos started going viral of us fans playing and singing as we exited the Maracanã, walking down the ramp. It was a year in which Flamengo was eliminated in the group stage of the Libertadores, but reached the South American final, and from that point on it gained momentum until it completely exploded in 2019 — explains Eric.

The song acquired even more symbolism for the supporters because, during the 2019 Libertadores final, in Lima, it was the anthem sung in the stands at the time of Gabigol’s goal that equalized with River Plate, in the 43rd minute of the second half, and in the 51st minute, when he scored the goal that guaranteed the second half. Eric says he wasn’t able to travel to see the decision up close, but was moved to hear his composition celebrating the so-called “magic year.”

— It’s a lot of joy, an enormous happiness. In 2019 it was a big part of the campaign, and seeing the players singing with the fans had a huge impact on me. The song brought back this link between the stands and the field, the players always singing it with us – he assesses. — Feeling represented in Lima, I remember very well that when Flamengo equalized and turned around, this song led the team to a comeback, it led Gabigol to score those two goals. Everyone watching heard the crowd chanting “In December 81” and the incredible comeback.

The success of the song went beyond the confines of the stands. Eric met Kiko Zambianchi, composer of the song, originally released in 1985 and which, in the 2000s, was recorded by the group Capital Inicial. He is credited in the official versions of the song recorded by Buchecha and Ivo Meirelles and, after much insistence with the record company, he began receiving 5% of the royalties.

The person who also received an invitation to record the song was Dinho Ouro Preto, singer of Capital Inicial. As he is a fan of São Paulo, he preferred not to participate in the red-black version, but he celebrates the success of the parody and reveals that, during shows, it is common to see fans carrying posters with the fans’ version.

— The song was already very popular, I believe that it has gained even more visibility and that it will perhaps reach people who did not know it until now. They will want to know where it comes from, so it’s good for everyone: for Capital, for Flamengo, for Kiko. The more you hear it, the better — he said.

For drummer Fê Lemos, it was a “pleasant surprise” when “Primeiros Erros” won the fans’ version. He agrees that the song has seen a rise in popularity due to the success of the parody and celebrates the opportunity for more people to connect with the band’s work.

— Capital Inicial, a rock band from Brasilia, based in São Paulo, ends up having a more segmented audience. And a mass football team like Flamengo has fans all over Brazil, from all social classes, and perhaps who have never heard Brazilian rock, he believes. — We also end up attracting young people who listen to trap, funk… When it became a team anthem, it reached an audience that even we couldn’t have imagined possible. We can only be grateful for this happy coincidence.

Both the drummer and the singer agree that, in the voices of the fans, the anthem takes on a more particular meaning and becomes powerful enough to push the team towards the glories acquired since 2019.

— Music helps create a climate, a favorable energy for the team and perhaps contributed to Flamengo’s success when they won the Libertadores. This is part of a historic year, a historic moment for the team too and it will continue forever — says Fê.