A series of popular interpretations followed, including their take on The Beatles' "Fool on the Hill". Though many associate her with Brasil '66's hit rendition of Burt Bacharach's "The Look of Love" on the album Look Around (which reached #4 on the pop charts in 1968), the lead on that single was actually handled by Mendes' other singer of that period, Janis Hansen.
The band frequently toured alongside A&M labelmates (and label founder) Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, no doubt providing plenty of opportunity for Hall and Alpert to get acquainted. She would leave Brasil '66 in 1971, but marry Alpert in 1973.
With her husband assuming production and arranging duties, Hall subsequently embarked on a solo career, beginning with 1972's Sun Down Lady and following up with Hello It's Me in 1975. A new album would appear nearly every year until 1985's Es Facil Amar, for which Hall would be awarded a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Performance. Her albums maintained their popularity, primarily in the Latin market, but some mainstream presence was kept, particularly with her contribution of the title song to the James Bond film Never Say Never Again in 1983.
After raising a family with Alpert and writing fiction, she returned in 1998 with the album Brasil Nativo on the Windham Hill label.
Mas Que Nada
Lani Hall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O o-o-o-o arya ayo, obá, obá, obá
Mas que nada
Sai da minha frente
Que eu quero passar
Pois o samba está animado
O que eu quero é sambar
Este samba
Que é misto de maracatú
É samba de preto velho
Samba de preto tu
Mas que nada
Um samba como esse tão legal
Você não vai querer
Que eu chegue no final
Oaria raio, obá, obá, obá
O o-o-o-o arya ayo, obá, obá, obá
The lyrics of Lani Hall's Mas Que Nada exude a festive mood, with the singer eager to start dancing and enjoying the lively samba beat. She urges whoever is blocking her way to move aside because she doesn't want to miss out on the fun. The song is composed of a mix of maracatú and traditional samba, which adds to the catchy rhythm and party vibe. The reference to black culture also adds to the authenticity and roots of samba, as it originally emerged from Afro-Brazilian communities.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Mas que nada," which can be translated to mean "but that's nothing" or "no way." The sense of defiance in the chorus enhances the playful and infectious nature of the song. Despite the fast pace and high energy of the music, the lyrics also convey a sense of relaxation and enjoyment, as the singer revels in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Brazil.
Line by Line Meaning
Oaria raio, obá, obá, obá
Vibe, excitement, and fervor
O o-o-o-o arya ayo, obá, obá, obá
Intense feeling of joy and celebration
Mas que nada
Nothing but the best
Sai da minha frente
Get out of my way
Que eu quero passar
Because I want to move forward
Pois o samba está animado
Because the samba is lively and energetic
O que eu quero é sambar
What I really want is to dance samba
Este samba
This particular style of samba
Que é misto de maracatú
Incorporates elements of maracatú
É samba de preto velho
A type of samba played by older black musicians
Samba de preto tu
A samba that belongs to black people like me
Um samba como esse tão legal
A samba as cool as this one
Você não vai querer
You wouldn't want
Que eu chegue no final
For me to miss out on the fun
Contributed by Nicholas E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
EastCoastDude
Wow Wow Wow-- the one and only Lani Hall!!! So cool to see her in post-Brasil 66 days. Absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for posting this clip of this most beautiful voice talent and woman! WOW!
Jeff C
A voice both powerful,sultry and sweet. In my book she has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard.
erzug
She moves so much better and with more confidence than back in the 60's with Sergio. It was Karen who had the moves back then.
tavis1119
I just love the way she sings this medley ,her voice its unique,soft & dynamic at the same time .
Yottabee
A multilingually talented scat-singer in the best jazz tradition! She's amazing.
César Sampaio
Great Lani Hall ! She knows a lot of brazilian music and so bossa nova, the must dificult beat !
Jim Hardy
one of the greatest female vocalists of all time
Nathalie Connor
Ms Hall is in a category all by herself!
Manuel Ayuso cachon
Una gran mujer una gran cantante
Gregory Swift
Amazing she remembers the lyrics a todo👍🏽🎤👩🏻🦰💛