The youngest of the five children of José Fares, Lebanese immigrant to Brazil, and Dona Francisca, Fagner was born in Fortaleza, the capital of the state of Ceará, although his birth was recorded in Orós.
At the age of five years he won a youth competition at a local radio station. As a teen, he formed vocal and instrumental groups and began to compose his own music. In 1968 he won the Festival de Música Popular do Ceará (Popular Music Festival of Ceará) with his song "Nada Sou" (I am Nothing).
In 1971 he moved to the capital Brasília, taking first place in the Festival de Música Popular do Centro de Estudos Universitários de Brasília (Popular Music Festival of the University Studies Center of Brasília) with his piece "Mucuripe" (with collaborator Belchior), which was later recorded by artist Elis Regina, and became Fagner's first notable success as a composer. He won prizes in other categories with additional pieces, as well.
He has had a distinguished career as a performer, singer, songwriter and composer for over 3 decades, and is also known for his collaborations with other MPB artists such as Caetano Veloso, Roberta Miranda, Chico Buarque and others.
Joao Valentao
Fagner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
PRA DAR BOFETÃO
NÃO PRESTA ATENÇÃO
E NEM PENSA NA VIDA
A TODOS JOÃO INTIMIDA
FAZ COISAS QUE ATÉ DEUS DUVIDA
MAS TEM SEUS MOMENTOS NA VIDA
LÁ PRO FIM DO MUNDO
PRA NOITE CHEGAR
É QUANDO SE OUVE MAIS FORTE
O RONCO DAS ONDAS
NA BEIRA DO MAR
É QUANDO O CANSAÇO
DA LIDA DA VIDA
OBRIGA JOÃO DESCANSAR
É QUANDO A MORENA SE ENROSCA
PRO LADO DA GENTE
QUERENDO AGRADAR
SE A NOITE É DE LUA, A VONTADE
É DE CONTAR MENTIRAS
É DE SE ESPREGUIÇAR
É DE SE DEITAR NA AREIA DA PRAIA
QUE ACABA ONDE A VISTA
NÃO PODE ALCANÇAR
E ASSIM ADORMECE
ESSE HOMEM QUE NUNCA
PRECISA DORMIR PRA SONHAR
POR QUE NÃO HÁ SONHO MAIS LINDO
DO QUE SUA TERRA, NÃO HÁ
The lyrics to Fagner's "João Valentão" depict a rough and tough man who is quick to fight, without much regard for life. Despite his intimidating demeanor, João has his softer moments in life where he allows himself to rest and enjoy the company of a beautiful woman. The song sets a scene of a setting sun at the end of the world, where the crashing waves on the beach can be heard in the background. This is when João takes a break from the hardships of life and enjoys moments of peace.
The lyrics also describe João's love for his homeland, as there is no dream more beautiful to him than his own country. Despite being a tough guy who is not easily impressed, he is moved by the natural beauty of his surroundings. The song highlights the duality of João's character- one who is feared by many but also a man who appreciates the simple pleasures in life.
Overall, "João Valentão" is a song that celebrates the complexities of a multifaceted character and how he too has moments of vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
JOÃO VALENTÃO É BRIGÃO
João Valentão is known for being confrontational and belligerent
PRA DAR BOFETÃO
He's quick to resort to violence when provoked
NÃO PRESTA ATENÇÃO
He doesn't pay attention to his actions or the consequences they may bring
E NEM PENSA NA VIDA
He doesn't think about his life or the impact he has on others
A TODOS JOÃO INTIMIDA
Everyone is intimidated by João
FAZ COISAS QUE ATÉ DEUS DUVIDA
He does things that are unbelievable or hard to imagine
MAS TEM SEUS MOMENTOS NA VIDA
However, he has his moments in life when he lets his guard down
QUANDO O SOL VAI QUEBRANDO
As the sun starts to set
LÁ PRO FIM DO MUNDO
Towards the edge of the world
PRA NOITE CHEGAR
As nightfall approaches
É QUANDO SE OUVE MAIS FORTE
This is when you can hear the sound of the waves crashing louder
O RONCO DAS ONDAS
The roar of the waves
NA BEIRA DO MAR
Along the shore
É QUANDO O CANSAÇO
When exhaustion sets in
DA LIDA DA VIDA
From the struggles of life
OBRIGA JOÃO DESCANSAR
João is forced to rest
É QUANDO A MORENA SE ENROSCA
This is when the girl snuggles up
PRO LADO DA GENTE
Next to us
QUERENDO AGRADAR
Trying to please
SE A NOITE É DE LUA, A VONTADE
If it's a moonlit night, the urge
É DE CONTAR MENTIRAS
Is to tell lies
É DE SE ESPREGUIÇAR
Is to stretch out
É DE SE DEITAR NA AREIA DA PRAIA
Is to lie on the beach
QUE ACABA ONDE A VISTA
That ends where the eyesight
NÃO PODE ALCANÇAR
Cannot reach
E ASSIM ADORMECE
And so he falls asleep
ESSE HOMEM QUE NUNCA
This man who never
PRECISA DORMIR PRA SONHAR
Needs to sleep to dream
POR QUE NÃO HÁ SONHO MAIS LINDO
Because there is no dream more beautiful
DO QUE SUA TERRA, NÃO HÁ
Than his homeland, there is none
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.