Ketama are a Spanish flamenco group in the "New Flamenco" style. Formed in … Read Full Bio ↴Ketama are a Spanish flamenco group in the "New Flamenco" style. Formed in Madrid in the early 1980s by José Soto Sorderita (Jerez de la Frontera, 1961), Ray Heredia and Juan Carmona Amaya El Camborio (Granada, 1960). Later the two cousins left the group, which was then joined by José Miguel Carmona Niño (Madrid, 1971) and Antonio Carmona Amaya (Granada, 1965), cousin and brother respectively of Juan.

They released many popular albums that have crossed over to gain mainstream success outside the flamenco area. Their music can best be described as a mix between flamenco and mainstream pop. The band broke up in 2004 with the release of their final album 20 pa' Ketama after a twenty year career.

Their final lineup was Antonio Carmona (Vocals) José Miguel Carmona, Juan Carmona.

Kanela Y Menta
Ketama Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Siento que la vida se me acaba por momentos
Porque el recuerdo de tu amor lo llevo dentro,
Yo no sé si vivo, yo no sé si sueño,
Yo busco tu mirada y no la encuentro.

Falso era tu amor, deseo había en tu cuerpo,
Pero pronto tú me olvidaste y yo no puedo
Cada noche me despierto buscando su pelo negro.

Y no estás.

A caramelo me saben tus besos,
A kanela y menta kautivo me encuentro.

Siento que la vida se me acaba por momentos
Porque el recuerdo de tu amor lo llevo dentro,
Yo no sé si vivo, yo no sé si sueño,
Yo busco tu mirada y no la encuentro.

Falso era tu amor, deseo había en tu cuerpo,
Pero pronto tú me olvidaste y yo no puedo
Cada noche me despierto buscando su pelo negro.
Y no está.

A caramelo me saben tus besos,
A kanela y menta kautivo me encuentro.
Si lo piensas te equivocas,
Si lo imaginas te engañas
Y en la puerta tengo a otra
Y hazme el favor que te vayas.

A caramelo me saben tus besos,
A kanela y menta kautivo me encuentro.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Ketama's song "Kanela Y Menta" speak of the pain and longing experienced by the singer after the breakup of a relationship. The first verse expresses a sense of time slipping away as the memory of the lost love remains inside him. The second verse describes the false promises of love and desire from the other person, who quickly forgot about the singer. The search for the beloved's presence through her "negro pelo," or black hair, only adds to the singer's distress.

The chorus and the last verse introduce a hint of bitterness and resolution to move on. The singer still remembers the kisses of the former lover, which he compares to candy, cinnamon, and mint. However, he is also a "prisoner" of those memories, unable to move forward. In the final lines, the singer warns the other person not to assume that he wants them back or cling to the possibility of reconciliation. The metaphor of sweet flavor and addictive scent contrast with the message: the sweetness of a previous love can mask the pain of a lost one, but it cannot change the present reality.

Overall, "Kanela Y Menta" is a poignant ballad about the complexities of recovering from a broken heart. It acknowledges the power of memories and sensory triggers while urging the listener to avoid past illusions and focus on what is real.

Line by Line Meaning

Siento que la vida se me acaba por momentos
I feel as if life is slipping away bit by bit

Porque el recuerdo de tu amor lo llevo dentro
Because memories of your love remain within me

Yo no sé si vivo, yo no sé si sueño
I can't tell if I'm awake or dreaming

Yo busco tu mirada y no la encuentro
I search for your gaze but can't find it

Falso era tu amor, deseo había en tu cuerpo
Your love was false, only desire in your body existed

Pero pronto tú me olvidaste y yo no puedo
But you forgot me quickly and I can't move on

Cada noche me despierto buscando su pelo negro
Every night I wake up searching for your black hair

Y no estás
And you're not there

A caramelo me saben tus besos
Your kisses taste like candy to me

A kanela y menta kautivo me encuentro
I'm captivated by the taste of cinnamon and mint

Si lo piensas te equivocas
If you think, you're mistaken

Si lo imaginas te engañas
If you imagine, you're deceiving yourself

Y en la puerta tengo a otra
And there's someone else at the door

Y hazme el favor que te vayas
Do me a favor and leave

Writer(s): Carmona Amaya Antonio, Carmona Nino Jose Miguel, Carmona Amaya Juan Jose

Contributed by Lucas D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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