Piano bar
Charly Garcнa Lyrics
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Fantasmas de percal
Presten atención
Se ha abierto un piano bar
¿Será que nací en el sur?
¿Será que encendí la luz de tu amor?
Viudas de nerón,
Suena un banoneón
Cerca del cabaret
¿Será que nací en el sur?
¿Será que encendí la luz de tu amor?
Las chicas tienen un lugar
Donde viven esas cosas que asombran
Los chicos tienen un lugar
Donde ir a conversar
Usa tu rubor
Escoge tu disfraz
Plumas de gorrión
Sonrisa de zorzal
Coloca vitrina al sur
Reloca titila luz
La ciudad
Charly García's "Piano Bar" is a song with layers of meaning that requires a certain level of understanding of Argentinian culture to interpret it fully. At the surface level, the song tells the story of a piano bar where different types of people come together to escape their daily lives. The opening verse speaks of "Rubias de New York" (blondes from New York) and "Fantasmas de percal" (phantoms made of cheap fabric). This line reflects the glamor that people aspire to and the facade of success that people put up in society. The chorus asks rhetorical questions, "¿Será que nací en el sur?" (Could it be that I was born in the south?) and "¿Será que encendí la luz de tu amor?" (Could it be that I lit the light of your love?), signaling the contemplation of one's existence and their search for meaning.
The second stanza of the song speaks of "Viudas de Nerón" (widows of Nero) and "Amantes de Gardel" (lovers of Gardel), two very culturally specific references. Nerón was a Roman Emperor known for his cruel acts, and the reference to "widows of Nero" symbolizes the pain and suffering that people have experienced in society. Carlos Gardel, on the other hand, was a famous tango musician from Buenos Aires whose music symbolizes the essence of Argentine culture. The line "Suena un bandoneón cerca del cabaret" (A bandoneón sounds near the cabaret) refers to the sensuality and melancholy that is often associated with tango music.
In conclusion, Charly García's "Piano Bar" is a song that speaks to the different facets of the human experience. Through its clever wordplay and cultural references, the song encourages listeners to interrogate the nature of their existence and to embrace life's complexities.
Line by Line Meaning
Rubias de new york
Blondes from New York
Fantasmas de percal
Phantoms made of cheap fabric
Presten atención
Pay attention
Se ha abierto un piano bar
A piano bar has opened
¿Será que nací en el sur?
Could it be that I was born in the south?
¿Será que encendí la luz de tu amor?
Could it be that I lit up the light of your love?
Viudas de nerón,
Widows of Nero,
Amantes de gardel
Lovers of Gardel
Suena un banoneón
A bandoneon sounds
Cerca del cabaret
Near the cabaret
Las chicas tienen un lugar
The girls have a place
Donde viven esas cosas que asombran
Where those things that amaze live
Los chicos tienen un lugar
The boys have a place
Donde ir a conversar
To go and talk
Usa tu rubor
Use your blush
Escoge tu disfraz
Choose your costume
Plumas de gorrión
Sparrow feathers
Sonrisa de zorzal
Thrush smile
Coloca vitrina al sur
Place the showcase to the south
Reloca titila luz
Relocate, flickering light
La ciudad
The city
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLOS ALBERTO GARCIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind