Initially playing in colleges, Toquinho's professional career took off in the 1960s at shows promoted by radio personality Walter Silva at the famous Paramount theater in São Paulo. He composed his first recorded song with Chico Buarque entitled "Lua Cheia" (Full Moon). His first big hit was composed in 1970 with Jorge Benjor, "Que Maravilha" (What a Wonder). That same year he was invited by Vinícius de Moraes, co-writer of the worldwide hit song "Garota de Ipanema" (The Girl from Ipanema), to participate in a series of shows in Buenos Aires, forming a solid partnership that would continue for 11 years and produce 120 songs, 25 records and over a thousand shows.
After the death of Vinícius de Moraes in 1980, he went on to pursue a solo career, often performing with other talented musicians like Paulinho da Viola, Danilo Caymmi, Paulinho Nogueira and Chico Buarque. He continues to record and play.
No Fim Não Se Perde Nada
Toquinho Lyrics
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Não se perde nada.
Poeta de pouco brilho,
Pai de família criada.
Não forceja contra o trilho
Nem pergunta pra onde vai,
Não soma nem subtrai
No extremo da caminhada.
O samba deixa pro filho o nome na madrugada.
Chegou chorando por inexperiência.
Pra sair, saiu mudo e quieto, por alguma ciência.
O samba vem de outro samba,
Com algum disfarce ou quase.
A frase gera outra frase,
Por sorte sai bem achada.
O filho faz outro filho,
No fim não se perde nada.
In Toquinho's song "No Fim Não Se Perde Nada," the lyrics speak to the idea that in certain cases, nothing is lost. The poet in question may not have the brightest talent or the biggest following, but he is a family man who doesn't fight against the path before him. He doesn't inquire about where it leads, and he doesn't add or subtract to his journey. When he reaches the end of his life, his legacy is left in the hands of his son through the samba, as the next generation takes up the mantle of creativity and expression.
The second verse speaks to the idea that sometimes we come into the world crying and leave it in silence. It is through some sort of knowledge and understanding that we move on. This verse also speaks to the fact that the samba is an evolving genre, where one composition gives birth to another, sometimes with only slight changes or variations. Each phrase sparks another, and sometimes a masterpiece is discovered. The son creates another creation, and just as the father left his legacy, the son does too. But ultimately, nothing is lost in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Em certos casos
Under certain circumstances
Não se perde nada.
Nothing is lost.
Poeta de pouco brilho,
Poet with little brilliance,
Pai de família criada.
Father of a raised family.
Não forceja contra o trilho
Does not struggle against the rails.
Nem pergunta pra onde vai,
Does not ask where it is going,
Não soma nem subtrai
Does not add or subtract.
No extremo da caminhada.
At the end of the journey.
O samba deixa pro filho o nome na madrugada.
The samba leaves its name to the child in the dawn.
Chegou chorando por inexperiência.
Arrived crying due to inexperience.
Pra sair, saiu mudo e quieto, por alguma ciência.
To leave, left quietly for some understanding.
O samba vem de outro samba,
The samba comes from another samba,
Com algum disfarce ou quase.
With some disguise or almost.
A frase gera outra frase,
The phrase generates another phrase,
Por sorte sai bem achada.
By chance, it turns out well-found.
O filho faz outro filho,
The child begets another child,
No fim não se perde nada.
In the end, nothing is lost.
Contributed by Elizabeth H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nik Fortes
Música de genialidade estarrecedora