Julieta Venegas and Natalia Lafourcade released “Tengo Que Contarte” (I Have to Tell You) this Thursday, a song in which they experiment with regional Mexican music, a genre that in recent years has connected with new generations of performers and audiences. The duet is from Venegas’ album “Norteña,” with which she seeks to pay homage to her roots in Tijuana.
The lyrics of the single depict a conversation between two friends, one experiencing sadness and doubt, while the other comforts her with her own experiences and the promise of being there for her during this difficult time. “A friend is encouragement, someone who listens to us and can understand what we’ve been through. It’s a song about not always being in the best place, how sometimes we need to stop and try to figure out how to move forward,” Julieta Venegas explained in a statement.
“Tengo Que Contarte” is an artistic dialogue between two of the most influential voices in Latin American music and Mexico’s leading exponents. Both have garnered multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards for their musical projects, which—while stemming from different approaches—have evolved in parallel within the industry. “I’m thrilled to have collaborated with my beloved Natalia Lafourcade; we’ve known each other for a long time. She’s someone I admire, and I feel her voice is ideal for singing this song of friendship, of connection, and of affection together. I wanted to convey a cantina spirit, of being in a place talking about life’s truths,” she said.
