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).
Milonga Paraguaya
Jorge Drexler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Prima lejana de Mangoré
¿Qué me estará queriendo decir
La noche
Que no lo sé?
¿Qué me estará queriendo decir
La noche
Que no lo sé?
Yo miro a mi guitarra
Busco en las grietas del corazón
Como estaré de solo
Que estoy hablándole a una canción
Como estaré de solo
Que estoy hablándole a una canción
Pasa un segundo
Como pasa una página en blanco
Que no estrené
Paso la vida
Buscando un verso
Que nunca encontraré
Paso la vida
Buscando un verso
Que nunca encontraré
Cuando me quede solo
Varado y lejos del mar, yo sé
Que aunque no tenga nada
Tendré a esta copla esperándome
Que aunque no tenga nada
Tendré a esta copla esperándome
Abre tus brazos
Y suéltate el pelo
Que vengo buscándote
Milonga paraguaya
Prima lejana de Mangoré
The lyrics of "Milonga Paraguaya" by Jorge Drexler reflect on the search for meaning and connection in life through music. The song begins with the question of what the night might be trying to tell the singer through the distant sound of Mangoré's milonga. The milonga is a traditional style of music and dance from Argentina and Uruguay, but in this case, it is described as a "fingerprint" of Paraguay, a cultural bridge across borders.
The singer then turns to his guitar, searching for inspiration and solace in its strings. He reflects on the loneliness of being a musician, speaking to a song instead of a person. The passing of time is also highlighted, with moments slipping away like blank pages left unwritten. The search for a meaningful verse or message in life is likened to a never-ending journey.
The final verse of the song offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer imagines himself alone and far from the sea, with nothing but this milonga waiting for him. The call to "open your arms and let your hair down" is a plea for intimacy and connection, a desire to find meaning and purpose in life through music and love.
Overall, "Milonga Paraguaya" is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the search for connection and meaning in life, expressed through the lens of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Milonga paraguaya
This song is a type of milonga folk music from Paraguay.
Prima lejana de Mangoré
It's a tribute to Agustin Barrios Mangoré, a renowned Paraguayan guitarist and composer, who is considered the greatest exponent of the Paraguayan music.
¿Qué me estará queriendo decir La noche, que no lo sé? ¿Qué me estará queriendo decir La noche, que no lo sé?
The night is trying to convey a message to the singer, but he doesn't understand it.
Yo miro a mi guitarra Busco en las grietas del corazón Como estaré de solo Que estoy hablándole a una canción Como estaré de solo Que estoy hablándole a una canción
The singer feels lonely and looks for solace in his guitar and songs.
Pasa un segundo Como pasa una página en blanco Que no estrené
Time flies by quickly, and the singer realizes he is missing out on some experiences.
Paso la vida Buscando un verso Que nunca encontraré Paso la vida Buscando un verso Que nunca encontraré
The singer spends his whole life searching for the perfect verse that he will never find.
Cuando me quede solo Varado y lejos del mar, yo sé Que aunque no tenga nada Tendré a esta copla esperándome Que aunque no tenga nada Tendré a esta copla esperándome
The singer finds comfort in the fact that even when he is alone and has nothing, he will always have his music waiting for him.
Abre tus brazos Y suéltate el pelo Que vengo buscándote Milonga paraguaya Prima lejana de Mangoré
The singer is addressing the music, asking it to embrace him and make him feel better like a loved one would.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jorge Abner Drexler Prada
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
josecarlosacha
En realidad no se refiere a la guarania, el título es una paradoja, ya que en Paraguay no hay milonga, pero sí está dedicada a Mangoré. Un gran compositor de guitarra clásica, de polcas paraguayas, valses, y mucho más, un guitarrista clásico que no conozca a Agustín Barrios es difícil de encontrar, sus obras son muy elaboradas y únicas. En esta música Jorge Drexler tiene la 6ta cuerda afinada en RE en vez de MI que es lo común. Afinación usada por Mangoré en la mayoría de sus obras. Saludos!
22adonis222
Gracias por explicar!!!!
Mathias G
NITSUGA MANGORÉ (Agustín Pio Barrios).... De los más grandes de mi querida Paraguay, nación de la que me enorgullezco de ser perteneciente, y compositor a quien, hasta siendo licenciado en guitarra culta, sigo estudiando
Marcos Meza lopez
Mangoré en sus actuaciones se vestía de indígena para evocar al Caciqué del mismo nombre...genio mundial de la guitarra..Jorge Drexler muy lindo hermoso homenaje....este paraguayo aún está en el Salvador donde lo tienen como héroe nacional negandose a dar sus restos a pesar de los pedidos de varios gobiernos paraguayos
pablo olivares
2:20 no puedo evitar las lagrimas desde esa parte, gran obra y profunda obra de drexler
Onnyshka Walk
Imposible no quebrarme cada vez que a escucho.
jotaelmaci
Exelénte canción amigo, ...podrías contar de que viene el nombre? Muy evocativo por cierto ...felicidades .
CLAY MOTION FILMS
exelenteee !!!maravilloso!!!
pablo olivares
Drexler es tan profundo q ue sus melodias y letras tocan hasta lo mas profundo de nuestras almas
juan cienfuegos
que buen gusto tiene el Profesor,el Presidente de mi pais y grande Dr Drexler