Geraldo Pereira is one of the most important samba composers ever. Some of his biggest hits are "Falsa Baiana," which was recorded by many different interpreters, "Sem Compromisso," "Bolinha de Papel," "Escurinha," "Pisei Num Despacho," "Escurinho," "Já Tenho Outra Em Seu Lugar," and "Acertei No Milhar" (with Wilson Batista, recorded by Moreira da Silva in 1940). Praised by João Gilberto, who recorded his "Bolinha de Papel," "Sem Compromisso," and "Falsa Baiana," he was acknowledged by him (and many others) as a true innovator of the '40s. Pereira was also recorded by Cyro Monteiro (his most constant interpreter; among others, he launched "Falsa Baiana" and "Escurinho"), Aracy de Almeida ("Falta de Sorte," by Geraldo/Marino Pinto), Isaura Garcia ("Pode Ser," with Marino Pinto), Anjos do Inferno ("Bolinha de Papel"), Chico Buarque ("Sem Compromisso"), Gal Costa ("Falsa Baiana"), Blecaute ("Que Samba Bom"), Jards Macalé ("Ministério da Economia" and "Cabritada Mal Sucedida"), Roberto Silva ("Você Está Sumindo" and "Pisei Num Despacho"), Paulinho da Viola ("Você Está Sumindo"), Zizi Possi ("Escurinho" and "Escurinha"), João Nogueira, Elton Medeiros, Monarco, Jackson do Pandeiro, Odete Amaral, Quatro Ases e um Curinga, among others.

Pereira came to Rio in 1930 and, in his teens, was already writing sambas for the samba school Unidos da Mangueira.Throughout his life, he made his living as a garbage truck driver. In 1939, Roberto Paiva recorded "Se Você Sair Chorando" (with Nelson Teixeira). In 1944, he participated in the film Berlim na Batucada (Luís de Barros). His first hit was with "Falsa Baiana," recorded by Ciro Monteiro in 1944. "Bolinha de Papel" was recorded in 1945 by the Anjos do Inferno, also with enormous success. In 1945, Pereira recorded two of his compositions as a singer, but since the album didn't sell, he decided to remain just as a composer.

In 1949, Blecaute recorded "Que Samba Bom," also a best-seller. In 1950, Pereira recorded "Pedro do Pedregulho" as an interpreter, launching several more of his compositions from then on. In 1951, Deo recorded "Cego de Amor" (Geraldo/Wilson Batista). In 1952, he participated in the film O Rei do Samba (Luís de Barros). His death is surrounded by folklore. He would have been killed by the famous character the malandro Madame Satã with a single stroke. ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi