The song, written by Luís Cília, was composed at the request of Carlos Antunes, then representative of the PCP in Paris.
Basto also recorded an EP that was distributed clandestinely in Portugal, called Canções Revolucionárias Portuguesas (Revolutionary Portuguese Songs), with music by Fernando Lopes-Graça and lyrics by Manuel Alegre.
Following the 25 April 1974 Carnation Revolution, which overthrew the Estado Novo, she returned to Portugal, where she recorded a new version of Avante Camarada, with arrangements and direction by Pedro Osório.
Issued as a single, it included on the B-side a song entitled Message to Angela Davis in homage to the American political activist.
The live album, Recital - Luísa Basto ao vivo was recorded in January 1984 with the orchestra of Shegundo Galarza.
This included songs used by the Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU), an alliance of the PCP and Portugal's Ecologist Party "The Greens" in the 1997 general election.