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).

Era De Amar
Jorge Drexler Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Érase una noche común
Era en una mesa de bar
Era enero en aquel lugar
Y ella me miró de una manera
Agua de mar

Era de fumar y reír
Era de saber esperar

Era de salir a buscar
No era una mirada cualquiera
Era de amar

Voy caminando por el fondo del mar
Voy caminando por el fondo del mar

Una gota pude tener
Todos los secretos del mar
Todo lo que pueda contar
Todo lo que vino después
Era de imaginar

Voy caminando por el fondo del mar
Voy caminando por el fondo del mar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in "Era De Amar" by Jorge Drexler tell a story of a chance encounter with a woman in a bar, and the immediate connection that is felt through a simple glance. The singer of the song describes the night as ordinary, occurring in the month of January as they sit at a table in a bar. However, when the woman looks at him, her gaze is described as being like "sea water," conveying a sense of depth and mystery. This gaze is not an ordinary one, but one that is filled with love and longing.

As the song progresses, the singer describes the woman's qualities and the moments they share as being special and unique. She is described as someone who not only enjoys smoking and laughter, but also possesses the ability to wait patiently and search for meaning in life. Her gaze is more than a simple look, it signifies a deeper connection and a love that is rare and profound. The final lines of the song repeat the phrase "voy caminando por el fondo del mar" which can be translated to "I am walking at the bottom of the sea", symbolizing the depths of feeling and connection that the singer is experiencing.

Overall, the lyrics of "Era De Amar" speak to the power of love and connection. A chance encounter can lead to a profound and transformative experience, and the seemingly mundane details of life can become infused with meaning through a deep and meaningful relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Érase una noche común
It was an ordinary night

Era en una mesa de bar
It was at a bar table

Era enero en aquel lugar
It was January in that place

Y ella me miró de una manera
And she looked at me in a certain way

Agua de mar
Sea water

Era de fumar y reír
It was about smoking and laughing

Era de saber esperar
It was about knowing how to wait

Era de salir a buscar
It was about going out to search

No era una mirada cualquiera
It wasn't just any glance

Era de amar
It was about love

Voy caminando por el fondo del mar
I'm walking on the ocean floor