Born to an Argentine mother and an American father, he lived most of his childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area, but moved with his family to Buenos Aires at the age of 12.
Johansen made a brief appearance in the local rock scene with the band Instrucción Cívica in the 80s (only album Obediencia Debida in 1985), but went to New York in 1990. There he met and married his Argentine wife, with whom he has a daughter. He played in the CBGB's club for long years, until he created a group, and in 2000 recorded the album with the same name, The Nada, a mix of different Latin sounds with modern pop, funk and rock.
During the same year, and with the new album in his hands, he returned to Argentina, where he currently lives. The album was relatively successful and Kevin and the group went on tour as far as Spain.
By the end of 2002 Johansen recorded Sur o no sur. Again, Kevin surprises with a combination of Latin music, pop, and humour.
During 2003, Kevin became a huge success in Argentina, playing in June at the Gran Rex Theatre, the largest Buenos Aires hall. Again in Spain, he promoted his new album with concerts in Madrid and Barcelona, this time with bigger audiences. He also performed during the MTV Latino awards, from where he continued a concerts tour to Miami, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco prior to the release of the album in United States.
In 2004 he continues with concerts in Mexico, Chile, Belgium and again Spain (now in many different cities) with an even greater response from the people and the media. At the Latino Grammy Awards, Sur o no sur was nominated for "Album of the year", "Song of the year" (La Procesión) and "Best Music Video" (La Procesión).
In between trips, Johansen recorded his third album (relased as Kevin Johansen + The Nada, City Zen, which was well-received both by fans and the media. The cover of his susequent album, Logo, was drawn by cartoonist Liniers.
Sur o No Sur
Kevin Johansen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me voy porque aca no se puede,
me vuelvo porque alla tampoco
Me voy porque aqui se me debe,
me vuelvo porque alla estan locos
Sur o no sur...
me vuelvo porque no hay esperanza
Me voy porque aqui se aprovechan,
me vuelvo porque alla me echan
Sur o no sur...
(Disculpe, la embajada de Italia?)
No se por que pasa lo que me pasa,
quizas sea la vejez
Quisiera quedarme aqui en mi casa,
pero ya no se cual es
Sur... o no sur
eeeii oouuu
No se por que pasa lo que me pasa, quizas sea mi niñez
Quisiera quedarme aqui en mi casa, pero ya no se cual es...
(Me voy para la embajada, me vuelvo por no estar visada
Me voy porque soy de por aca, me vuelvo por ser un sudaca
Malaya, que triste destubim ser o no ser un Argelino
Malaya, que triste destino, ser o no ser un marraschino...)
Sur o no sur.
The song Sur o No Sur by Kevin Johansen is a poetic representation of the existential questions that everyone has to deal with during their lives. The song’s lyrics use the metaphorical concept of moving, to explain how humans are in a constant state of flux, continuously searching for something that will give them meaning and purpose. The song depicts the struggle of a person who is leaving their current situation because they are not happy with the way things are. They are looking for something better, even if they are not sure if there is anything better out there for them.
The first paragraph of the song is all about leaving and coming back. The artist is indicating that no matter where he goes, he can't find satisfaction. Whether it's in the South or not, there is always something missing. The artist is portraying a sense of longing for something that he can't quite put his finger on. The chorus, “Sur o no sur”, which means South or not South, is a reference to the idea that wherever he goes, he can't find what he's looking for.
In the second paragraph, the next stanza of the song, the artist talks about why he is leaving. He states that there is no hope in his current situation, and there is nothing left for him here. The lyrics portray a feeling of hopelessness, and the artist doesn't see any other options available to him. The chorus repeats again, “Sur o no sur”, which could be a way of saying that no matter where he goes, he will always be lost.
The third paragraph, the final stanza, is reflective. The artist is contemplating his current situation and is wondering about the reasons for his restlessness. He talks about being asked to leave by others and feeling out of place. The lyrics portray a sense of loneliness and isolation, which is why he's searching for something to fill the void. The chorus concludes the song, indicating that the artist is still unsure of what the future holds and whether going South or not going South will bring him the peace he so desperately seeks.
Line by Line Meaning
Me voy porque aca no se puede,
I am leaving because there is no way to thrive here,
me vuelvo porque alla tampoco
I return because there is no better alternative there either,
Me voy porque aqui se me debe,
I am leaving because I am owed something here,
me vuelvo porque alla estan locos
I return because they are crazy there,
Me voy porque aqui no me alcanza,
I am leaving because I cannot attain my goals here,
me vuelvo porque no hay esperanza
I return because there is no hope there,
Me voy porque aqui se aprovechan,
I am leaving because people take advantage of me here,
me vuelvo porque alla me echan
I return because they kick me out there,
No se por que pasa lo que me pasa, quizas sea la vejez
I do not know why things happen to me the way they do, perhaps it's just old age,
Quisiera quedarme aqui en mi casa, pero ya no se cual es
I want to stay home, but I do not know what that means anymore,
Me voy para la embajada, me vuelvo por no estar visada
I leave for the embassy, but return because I am not authorized,
Me voy porque soy de por aca, me vuelvo por ser un sudaca
I am leaving because I am from here, but return because I am labeled as a 'Sudaca',
Malaya, que triste destubim ser o no ser un Argelino
What a shame, it's sad to wonder if you are or are not Algerian,
Malaya, que triste destino, ser o no ser un marraschino...
What a shame, it's sad to think about whether you are or are not a Maraschino...
Sur o no sur...
South or not south...
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN ANDREW JOHANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zmarilu5016
Como una persona que nació en Estados Unidos, se crió en Puerto Rico y vivió la mayor parte de su vida en Argentina, esta canción me habla a nivel de alma
@antigonavelez
Me encanta Kevin, su sentido del humor y ese mix y reciclaje de diferentes estilos y ritmos que hace.
@juan2002ize
0:45
@franciscoergueta5824
"quisiera volver a mi casa pero ya no se cuál es" es genial !!
@enriqueoleole
Más que una frase, una realidad.
@mma-jy9km
a mi me pasa lo mismo cazzzzzzzo
@bbbalter2706
este tipo tiene los mejores videoclip de la historia
@elpibe2020
Director: Kevin que te gustaria para el video? algo surrealista, algo divertido, algo posmoderno o algo minimalista?
Kevin: Si
@keev94_52
Si
@aldebrando3799
Realmente ese videoclip tiene mucho más significado del que aparenta, pero sí es verdad que a simple vista descoloca un poco ver sus vestimentas y formas de caminar ajajajajja