The band changed its name to Café Tacvba (changing the u for a v) in order to avoid legal issues with the coffee shop.
Their musical style covers a wide variety of genres, though it is most commonly labeled as Rock en Español. Their music has been heavily influenced by Mexico's indigenous population and folk music traditions, most notable the Jarocho style of the state of Veracruz, but also by punk and electronic music and other bands in the Mexico City scene. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of their music is Albarrán's nasal voice, which, combined with his impressive lung capacity (as demonstrated on "La Ingrata", an homage to norteño music), makes for a very distinctive sound. They sing entirely in Spanish but have a significant Anglophone following regardless.
They have an especially eclectic sound, and it's commonly said that none of their discs is of exactly the same genre. For example, "Maria" is a bolero style ballad, "La Ingrata" is a mix of rock and "norteño" , while "Eres", a hit included in "Cuatro Caminos" album, is mostly pop-rock.
They were founded in 1989, and since then have had the same musical lineup:
* Rubén Isaac Albarrán Ortega aka "Pinche Juan" ("Fuckin Juan"), "Cosme", "Anónimo" (Anonymous), "Nrü" (pronounced "dshyoo", [dʃju] in IPA), "Amparo Tonto Medardo In Lak'ech" (or "At Medardo ILK"), "G3", "Gallo Gasss", "Élfego Buendía", "Sizu Yantra" (which is his solo moniker as well), "Rita Cantalagua", "Ixi Xoo" and many others. (vocals, guitar)
* Emmanuel "Meme" del Real Díaz: (keyboards, acoustic guitar, piano, programming, vocals, melodion)
* José Alfredo "Joselo" Rangel Arroyo: (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals)
* Enrique 'Quique' Rangel Arroyo: (bass guitar, electric upright bass, vocals)
Mexican folk music player Alejandro Flores is considered the 5th tacubo, as he has played the violin in almost every Café Tacuba concert since 1994. Since the Cuatro Caminos World Tour, Luis "El Children" Ledezma has played the drums in every concert but is not considered an official member of the band.
*Previously known as "Alicia Ya No Vive Aquí" (a tribute to Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore), the band took its final name from a coffee shop (el Café de Tacuba) located in downtown Mexico City. The cafe, which opened in 1912 and had its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s, was representative of the Pachuco scene at the time, something the band would later acknowledge as an influence. The Café de Tacuba is still in operation as a coffee shop and restaurant on Tacuba Street, in Mexico City's Historic Center. The band changed its name to Café Tacvba (changing the u for a v) in order to avoid legal issues with the coffee shop.
1989
Mexico City, Mexico
gracias
Café Tacuba Lyrics
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Gracias por la democracia
Por el estado de derecho
A quien debo tanta gracia
Erradicar, fraude y cohecho
Libres hacia la verdad
Respetando autonomías
Nada de ciudadanos
De segunda
Esta si es la nueva era
De humanidad y la mía
En un mundo de primera
No me dejes despertar
Déjame seguir soñando
Me pregunto ya hasta cuando
The lyrics of Café Tacuba’s song Gracias express gratitude for values and principles that are essential for a just society: freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The song also mentions the eradication of political corruption and the pursuit of truth as necessary conditions for a better world. The lyrics imply the recognition that these values are not always guaranteed and that constant vigilance is needed to preserve them.
The song also calls for the respect of the autonomy of different regions and for equal treatment of all citizens, without discrimination or fear. The reference to a “new era” of humanity suggests a hope for a better future, where people live without oppression or injustice. The line “No me dejes despertar, déjame seguir soñando” (Don’t let me wake up, let me keep dreaming) expresses a desire to hold on to this hope for a better world, despite the challenges that it faces.
Gracias is a song that highlights the importance of values that are essential for building a just society. It reminds us of the need to cherish these values and to take action to defend them when they are threatened. The song also offers a message of hope for a better future, inviting us to join in the pursuit of a world where freedom, democracy, and justice prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
Gracias por la libertad
Expressing gratitude for the freedom that has been granted.
Gracias por la democracia
Thanking the system of governance that allows for freedom of choice and decision-making by the people.
Por el estado de derecho
Appreciation for the rule of law and the principle that everyone is equal before the law.
A quien debo tanta gracia
Wondering who to attribute the blessings of freedom and democracy.
Erradicar, fraude y cohecho
Expressing the need to eliminate corruption and deceit in the system.
Libres hacia la verdad
Emphasizing the importance of being free to seek and find the truth.
Respetando autonomías
Highlighting the need to respect each other's autonomy and independence.
Y que el pánico no cunda
Urging people to remain calm and not panic in the face of adversity.
Nada de ciudadanos de segunda
Rejecting the idea of any citizen being treated as inferior or secondary in any way.
Esta si es la nueva era
Embracing the present time as a new era in history.
De humanidad y la mía
Acknowledging the role of every individual in shaping humanity and the world we live in.
En un mundo de primera
Aspiring to live in a world that is committed to excellence and quality in all aspects.
No me dejes despertar
A plea to stay in a dream-like state, where everything is perfect and ideal.
Déjame seguir soñando
A desire to continue to dream and hope for a better future.
Me pregunto ya hasta cuando
Questioning how long it will take to achieve the ideal state of freedom, democracy, and justice.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMMANUEL DEL REAL DIAZ, ENRIQUE RANGEL ARROYO, ISAAC RUBEN ALBARRAN ORTEGA, JOSE ALFREDO RANGEL ARROYO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind