DistantNews
Support us
Marcos Valle: 'Without mixing in music, we would get stuck'
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Marcos Valle: 'Without mixing in music, we would get stuck'

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Brazilian musician Marcos Valle, a second-generation bossa-nova artist, continues an active career at 82, touring and releasing new music.
  • Valle is the sole surviving co-author of the 1970s classic song “Não tem nada não,” with his collaborator João Donato having passed away in 2023.
  • The article explores the potential stories behind the song's lyrics, which describe a man traveling to meet a love interest who ultimately rejects him.

At 82, Brazilian pianist Marcos Valle, a luminary of the second generation of bossa-nova, remains a vibrant force in music. He actively tours Europe and the United States with his wife Patricia Alvi and their band, and continues to release new material, including his 23rd studio album, "Túnel Acústico" (2024).

Don't worry, you're right, love doesn't live on confusion.

— Marcos ValleFreely translated opening lines of the song 'Não tem nada não,' hinting at the lyrical theme.

Valle is the only living co-author of "Não tem nada não," a classic song from the early 1970s co-written with João Donato. The song, first recorded for Valle's 1973 album "Previsão do Tempo," has become a staple in both artists' repertoires. A live performance video reveals a poignant exchange between Valle and Donato, where Valle recalls Donato almost returning to the U.S. before deciding to stay in Brazil permanently.

Do you remember when we made it?

— Marcos ValleValle speaking to João Donato during a live performance preamble to 'Não tem nada não.'

The lyrics of "Não tem nada não" narrate the journey of a man traveling to another country to meet a woman he loves, only to be spurned. The song's opening lines, freely translated as "don't worry, you're right, love doesn't live on confusion," hint at a subtle complaint. The story behind these verses remains a mystery, as João Donato, described by critics as a bossa-nova pioneer and a peer to João Gilberto, passed away in 2023. Valle is now the sole source for uncovering the song's narrative origins.

You already had your bags packed to return to the United States and you ended up staying in Brazil forever.

— Marcos ValleValle recalling João Donato's decision to stay in Brazil during a live performance preamble.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog