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.
Lo Estamos Pasando Muy Mal
Los Prisioneros Lyrics
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En sus autos la gente va feliz a trabajar
No hay problemas ni necesidad
Este lugar es ideal
Todos tenemos mucho dinero para gastar
Compramos en el parque arauco y en el almac
Nada es muy caro si se trata de nuestra
Todos tenemos un trabajo digno y bien pagado
Nadie está en desventaja ni es maltratado
Nuestros jefes nos sonríen y nosotros también
A ellos
Aquí no roba nadie nihay porque robar
Nuestros sueldos son bueno y podemos ahorrar
Ven tu también a jugar aquí somos un país
De verdad
Lo estamos pasando muy bien, yeah yeah yeah
Engordamos bastante, ia ia ia o
Esto magnífico tra la la la la
La comida es muy buena si lo que quieres es comer
El vino, las carnes un pollito muy bien asado
Todos quedamos satisfechos despues del almuerzo
No es cierto
Si se trata de estudiar allí está la universidad
Un abogado un arquitecto o enfermera puedes ser
El trato es excelente la enseñanza muy buena
Y el costo (que importa el costo)
Lo estamos pasando muy bien, yeah yeah yeah
Engordamos bastante, ia ia ia o
Esto magnífico tra la la la la
The lyrics to Los Prisioneros's song "Lo Estamos Pasando Muy Mal" tell a satirical story about a society that appears to be perfect from the outside. The first stanza describes the consumerist nature of the society, with stores filled with things to buy and people driving happily to work in their cars. There is no hint of social or economic inequality, as everyone is well-off and has plenty of money to spend. The second stanza paints a picture of a society where everyone has a good, well-paying job and is treated with respect by their bosses. Crime is non-existent, and the society is presented as free from any problems or conflict. In the third stanza, the focus shifts to education, with the university offering an excellent education and the possibility of becoming a lawyer, architect, or nurse. There is no mention of the cost of this education, implying that it is unimportant in this ideal society.
However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the society being described is not perfect at all. The sarcastic tone of the lyrics becomes more evident, and the chorus takes on a bitter edge - "Lo estamos pasando muy mal" means "we are having a really bad time." The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the irony of the situation, as the outward appearance of the society suggests that everything is going great. The second stanza includes a line about how "no one is mistreated," contrasting with the later admission that the citizens are all overweight and overfed. The final line of the third stanza casts doubt on the idea of the excellent education offered by the university - "who cares about the cost?"
Overall, "Lo Estamos Pasando Muy Mal" is a commentary on the gap between appearance and reality, with Los Prisioneros exposing the flaws and limitations of an apparently perfect society. The satirical tone of the lyrics is reinforced by the upbeat, happy melody, creating a jarring and ironic contrast.
Interesting facts about the song:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Como puedes ver las vitrinas están llenas de cosas que comprar
The world around us is filled with material possessions that we're urged to purchase.
En sus autos la gente va feliz a trabajar
Everyone seems content with their daily routine of driving themselves to work.
No hay problemas ni necesidad
There are no challenges or hardships to be faced.
Este lugar es ideal
This is an ideal utopia, free from any undesirable elements.
Todos tenemos mucho dinero para gastar
We all have plenty of money to spend on whatever we want.
Compramos en el parque arauco y en el almac
We shop at high-end department stores and markets.
Nada es muy caro si se trata de nuestra felicidad
No price is too high to achieve our happiness and satisfaction.
Todos tenemos un trabajo digno y bien pagado
We all have respectable jobs that pay well.
Nadie está en desventaja ni es maltratado
No one is at a disadvantage or mistreated.
Nuestros jefes nos sonríen y nosotros también a ellos
Our bosses treat us well and we reciprocate with a smile.
Aquí no roba nadie nihay porque robar
There is no need for anyone to steal, as everyone has what they want and need.
Nuestros sueldos son bueno y podemos ahorrar
Our salaries are great and we're able to save money as well.
Ven tu también a jugar aquí somos un país de verdad
Come join us and experience this real country, where life is good.
La comida es muy buena si lo que quieres es comer
The food is delicious for those who simply want to eat and enjoy.
El vino, las carnes un pollito muy bien asado
We indulge in fine wine and delicious roasted chicken and meats.
Todos quedamos satisfechos despues del almuerzo
We all feel satisfied after our meals.
No es cierto
This is not true, it's only a fantasy.
Si se trata de estudiar allí está la universidad
For those who wish to pursue higher education, the university is here to serve them.
Un abogado un arquitecto o enfermera puedes ser
One can aspire to become a lawyer, architect, or nurse.
El trato es excelente la enseñanza muy buena
The education is top-notch, and everyone is treated well.
Y el costo (que importa el costo)
And the cost doesn't matter, as we'll pay whatever it takes to achieve our goals.
Lo estamos pasando muy bien, yeah yeah yeah
We're all having a great time, as we enjoy our utopian paradise.
Engordamos bastante, ia ia ia o
We're gaining weight due to our indulgent lifestyle, but we don't seem to mind.
Esto magnífico tra la la la la
This is a magnificent, perfect world that we're living in.
Lyrics © SADAIC LATIN COPYRIGHTS, INC.
Written by: CLAUDIO A. NAREA GUAJARDO, MIGUEL ORLANDO TAPIA MENDOZA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind