The band started when Jorge González and Miguel Tapia decided to start their own band while being high school students. They were inexperienced but enthusiastic, after many practices and writing songs, they asked Claudio Narea if he would like to join them, and impressed by the music they were making, he accepted. Towards the early 80's they went through some name changes and before settling on "Los Prisioneros" they had the name "Los Vinchukas" as their original name. In 1983, they had played a number of local shows and that's when they met Carlos Fonseca, their future manager. Through him, they managed to score a record deal with Fusión Producciones.
In 1984, the band's debut album was released, with the hit song "La Voz De Los '80" (which was never a single). They reached acclaim in the radio and by the next year they would be touring. In 1986, their long awaited second album "Pateando Piedras" went double Platinum album in Chile. By that time, the group was invited to perform at Argentina's Chateau Rock Festival and later to a similar event in Montevideo, Uruguay. They continued touring and they became more successful mainstream wise.
The band disbanded in 1992, then as a quartet with additional members Cecilia Aguayo (keyboards) and Robert Rodríguez (guitar), since Claudio Narea had left the band earlier in 1990.
The original lineup of the band decided to get back together in 2001, offering two massive concerts in the National Stadium of Santiago, and then releasing "Los Prisioneros", their first original studio album in 13 years. However, internal problems between González and Narea led again to the departure of the guitarist in 2001. Los Prisioneros continued working as a duet with guest members like Álvaro Henríquez whom with they released a cover album. In 2004 two additional musicians joined the band: Sergio "Coty" Badilla and Gonzalo Yáñez, releasing their sixth album Manzana the same year. A little while after the release of the album band members decided to establish themselves in Mexico, attempting to get more international exposure. Yáñez decided not to leave Chile and left the band. After touring through several locations in North and South America, they finally disbanded in 2006.
Europa
Los Prisioneros Lyrics
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Ah, Europa la cultura las danzas, los morteros
Los carruajes bajo el sol.
Ah, Europa el arte del saqueo
Egipto, África, América, Asia, Oceanía y el subterráneo
Ah, Europa, Europa esas marchas militares
La profunda depresión de la mesa del café.
Europa, me copa
Europa, me copa
Ah, Europa, Europa, reyes condes princesas y duques
Mermelada de mármol y el tejado de oro
La profunda duda y depresión
De la mesa del café otra vez.
Europa, me copa
Europa, me copa
Ya no hay más
Está llegando el final del viaje en reversa
Así entenderás que no hay energía
Sin una luz que se consuma
Así aprenderás nada, nada.
Deseada Europa, las sustancias adictivas
Aquellas líneas rectas e infinitas
Ah, vieja Europa la misión de tus gentes
Evangelizar, intoxicar
Y luego descartar, si
Europa, me copa
Europa, me copa
Ya no hay más
Está llegando el final del viaje en reversa
Así entenderás que no hay energía
Sin una luz que se consuma
Así aprenderás nada, nada.
The lyrics of Los Prisioneros's song Europa discuss the perceptions and realities of Europe, and the dichotomy of its cultural richness and its exploitative colonial history. The chorus repeats the phrase "Europa, me copa" which translates to "Europe, I dig it" or "Europe, I'm into it." However, the verses delve deeper into the complexities and contradictions of the continent.
The first verse describes Europe as a place of culture, dance, and carriages under the sun, but also as a place that has mastered the art of looting from Egypt, Africa, America, Asia, Oceania, and even the underground. The second verse mentions the unbearable military marches, unbearable classical music, and the deep depression felt at café tables. The last verse portrays Europe's royalty, marble jam, the roof of gold, and the deep doubt and depression felt again at the café table.
The final lines talk about the "end of the reverse journey" and how understanding that there is no energy without the consumption of light and learning "nothing, nothing," is the lesson to be learned.
Overall, the song is a commentary on Europe's past and present, highlighting the good and bad aspects of the continent. It educates listeners about the impact of colonialism and the exploitation and cultural enrichment that is sometimes overlooked.
Line by Line Meaning
Europa, Europa, Europa, días de Europa, Europa
The song starts with repetition of 'Europa' to emphasize its importance, and refers to the days spent in Europe.
Ah, Europa la cultura las danzas, los morteros
Los carruajes bajo el sol.
Europe's culture that includes dance, tradition, carriage rides under the sun, and even the use of mortars.
Ah, Europa el arte del saqueo
Egipto, África, América, Asia, Oceanía y el subterráneo
Europe's art of plundering other regions like Egypt, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the underground.
Ah, Europa, Europa esas marchas militares
Sus insoportables clásicos
La profunda depresión de la mesa del café.
The song continues to describe Europe as a place of military marches, unbearable classic music, and depression one feels as they sit in a cafe.
Europa, me copa
Europa, me copa
The repetition of 'Europa, me copa' implies that despite its flaws, Europe still appeals to the writer.
Ah, Europa, Europa, reyes condes princesas y duques
Mermelada de mármol y el tejado de oro
La profunda duda y depresión
De la mesa del café otra vez.
Another mention of Europe's royalty, extravagance in marble jam and gold-colored roofs alongside the frequent feeling of doubt and depression among cafe-goers returns.
Ya no hay más
Está llegando el final del viaje en reversa
There is no more, and the song acknowledges that the journey is coming to an end.
Así entenderás que no hay energía
Sin una luz que se consuma
Así aprenderás nada, nada.
The lines 'Así entenderás que no hay energía / Sin una luz que se consuma / Así aprenderás nada, nada' impart the message that there is no energy without consumption, and there can be no learning without taking something in.
Deseada Europa, las sustancias adictivas
Aquellas líneas rectas e infinitas
Ah, vieja Europa la misión de tus gentes
Evangelizar, intoxicar
Y luego descartar, si
Desire for Europe is compared to addictive substances, and their people's mission is to evangelize, intoxicate and eventually discard.
Europa, me copa
Europa, me copa
Again, the repetition of 'Europa, me copa' reiterates the attraction some feel to Europe despite its dark side.
Ya no hay más
Está llegando el final del viaje en reversa
Así entenderás que no hay energía
Sin una luz que se consuma
Así aprenderás nada, nada.
The song concludes with a repetition of the passage that highlights the idea that consumption is necessary and that without it understanding and learning are impossible.
Contributed by Alyssa N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.