Jorge Drexler (n. Montevideo; September 21, 1964), is a critically acclaime… Read Full Bio ↴Jorge Drexler (n. Montevideo; September 21, 1964), is a critically acclaimed Uruguayan singer/songwriter who resides in Spain, began his recording career in the early 90's but didn't experience mainstream breakthrough success until his seventh album, Eco (2004), and its Oscar-winning song ''Al Otro Lado Del Río''.

He comes from a Jewish family that fled persecution in Germany. He studied to become an otolaryngologyst (i.e., ear, throat, and nose doctor) like his parents but ultimately chose to pursue his passion for music.

Drexler made his full-length album debut with La Luz Que Sabe Robar (1992), followed by Radar (1994). In hopes of furthering his career, he went to Spain in 1995 upon the invitation of legendary singer/songwriter Joaquín Sabina , who showed him around the Madrid music scene and helped him secure an international recording contract. So impressed with Madrid that he chose to make his permanent residency there, Drexler got together with a band of Spanish musicians to re-record material from his first two albums along with new material and release it internationally as Vaivén (1996), the first of four albums on Virgin España. The highlights of Vaivén along with those of its three follow-ups, Llueve (1998), Frontera (1999), and Sea (2001), were later compiled on the best-of compilation La Edad Del Cielo (2004).

Upon his switch to the Dro Atlántic label, Drexler's career reached new heights of success with the critically acclaimed Eco (2004). Most notably, the album includes the Oscar-winning song ''Al Otro Lado Del Río'', which was prominently featured during the closing credits of the Walter Salles film The Motorcycle Diaries (2004).

Eco proved so successful, in fact, that it was re-released with bonus material as Eco² (2005). Subsequent albums include 12 Segundos de Oscuridad (2006), the double-disc live album Cara B (2008), and Amar la Trama (2010).

Eden
Jorge Drexler Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Poco fue lo que quedó
De su boca carmesí
Una foto en Salvador
Tres deseos de Bonfim
Que el invierno desató
Un verso sin terminar
En aquel cuarto de hotel
No paraba de girar

La tristeza en portugués
Diez días de carnaval

Cruzando Avenida Italia
Haciendo dedo hasta el Chuy
Mostrando el sello en la aduana
Diecinueve sin cumplir

Y ella que le preguntaba
Dónde quedaba Uruguay
Ella bailaba y bailaba
Y se reía al hablar
Su acento lo desarmaba

En la ventana sonando
El febrero de Brasil
Entrando en la madrugada
Él la miraba dormir
Y apenas acreditaba

Juntaba plata en invierno
Soñaba con el Edén
Escuchaba a Joao Gilberto
Y sólo pensaba en volver

Garroneaba todo el año
Para el Itapemirim

Y velaba en el armario
Trofeos del Paraíso

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Edén" by Jorge Drexler tell the story of a young man who meets a beautiful girl on his way to Brazil. He falls in love with her and spends carnival days with her in Salvador. However, their love story is short-lived, as the girl leaves him with only a crimson lipstick mark on his mouth, a photo in Salvador, and three wishes from Bonfim. The man is left with a sense of longing as he watches the girl dance to the Brazilian music while struggling to communicate with her because of her accent. The man remembers her as she sleeps in the morning light, unable to believe his good fortune but all the while planning on returning to the Edén that he had dreamed of.

The man earns his living by performing in nightclubs and dreams of saving enough money to return to Brazil. The mention of Joao Gilberto shows his obsession with the Brazilian music and culture. He pawns his treasured possessions, including his guitar and trophies, to save money and hopes to travel on the Itapemirim bus. The song ends on an emotional note, as the man is determined to return to "Edén" despite the hardships he will face.

Line by Line Meaning

Poco fue lo que quedó
Not much was left behind

De su boca carmesí
From her crimson mouth

Una foto en Salvador
A photo in Salvador

Tres deseos de Bonfim
Three wishes of Bonfim

Que el invierno desató
That winter unleashed

Un verso sin terminar
An unfinished verse

En aquel cuarto de hotel
In that hotel room

No paraba de girar
It wouldn't stop spinning

La tristeza en portugués
The sadness in Portuguese

Diez días de carnaval
Ten days of carnival

Cruzando Avenida Italia
Crossing Italia Avenue