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).

Riéndose de Mí
Jorge Drexler Lyrics

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Tengo un pañuelo negro entre las manos
Me miro tocando la sombra de sus pliegues
El blanco de la piel
El humo embriagador
La noche pertinaz

Tengo entre las manos negras el género dócil
La noche de un trapo que me toca

Lo escucho acariciar
Copiando mi calor
El humo de la piel

Solo, una noche de humo, sintiendo en el hombro
La mano del tiempo detenido
La luna en el balcón
Riéndose de mí
Riéndose de mí

Tengo las manos de trapo copiando un pañuelo negro
Que es blanco de mi tacto
Me dejo acariciar
Me dejo acariciar
Me dejo acariciar

Solo, sentado, tocando la tela, la sombra blanca
Los pliegues del pañuelo
Parecen respirar
Parecen respirar
Parecen respirar

Solo, una noche de humo, sintiendo en el hombro
La mano del tiempo detenido
La luna en el balcón

Riéndose de mí
Riéndose de mí

Overall Meaning

In Jorge Drexler's song "Riéndose de Mí," the singer describes holding a black handkerchief in his hands and observing its folds and texture. He describes the intoxicating smell of smoke and the persistent night around him. He goes on to describe the soft and pliant material of the handkerchief and how it seems to mimic his own warmth. He is alone on this night, feeling the burden of time on his shoulders, while the moon laughs at him.

The lyrics convey a sense of solitude and introspection. The singer's attention is focused solely on the handkerchief in his hands, using it as a metaphor for his own experiences. The black color represents something dark and possibly mournful, while the white of his skin represents something pure and innocent. The night and smoke, meanwhile, are symbols of a world he finds confining and smothering.

Throughout the song, the singer finds comfort in the handkerchief's texture and how it seems to absorb his warmth. It is almost as if he sees himself in it, vulnerable yet strong. Despite the loneliness and the moon's mocking, he seems to find a sense of purpose and comfort in the handkerchief, suggesting that he may find a way to move beyond whatever is weighing him down.

Line by Line Meaning

Tengo un pañuelo negro entre las manos
I am holding a black handkerchief in my hands

Me miro tocando la sombra de sus pliegues
I am looking at touching the shadow of its folds

El blanco de la piel
The whiteness of the skin

El humo embriagador
The intoxicating smoke

La noche pertinaz
The persistent night

Tengo entre las manos negras el género dócil
I have a docile fabric in my black hands

La noche de un trapo que me toca
The night of a rag that touches me

Lo escucho acariciar
I hear it caressing

Copiando mi calor
Copying my warmth

El humo de la piel
The smoke of the skin

Solo, una noche de humo, sintiendo en el hombro
Alone, one night of smoke, feeling on my shoulder