I've been learning Spanish for several years now but started listening closely to salsa lyrics when Clare asked me to translate her favourite song, 'Monton de Estrellas'. It was a really useful exercise, trying to get the exact words by repeated listening. And it's left me with a much better ear for the lyrics of other songs.
And they aren't all about dancing and having fun. It's always a bit strange to watch people dancing obliviously to a song whose lyrics include 'Alone, I'm alone... just waiting for death, when my luck will change'. And in the car this evening I was listening to a pleasant and melodious Cuban number about being in a hospital without anaesthetic: think I'll have to listen closely to that one and try and work out what the real story is.
No comments:
Post a Comment