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.
Violencia
Los Prisioneros Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Se bajan a chequear lo que sonó tan fuerte
Uno por detrás el otro por delante
Instrumento de metal que afirma el volante
Los espectadores se acercan preparan la mirada, preparan las apuestas
La avenida se comienza a llenar y parece que se van a pelear
Aceite pegajoso debajo del furgón revela lo perfecto de la ocasión
Violencia violencia violencia
Violencia violencia violencia
Queremos ver que va a pasar después
Si...si...si...si...si
Caen los fierros, Crujen los cráneos
Esto se pone feo ¡ah, que me mareo!
Los espectadores se persignan uno toma fotos, el otro filma
Los matazos en la danza de espadas, somos todos gente muy civilizada
Pero el precio de la pintura, el parachoques y la nueva armadura
La desabolladura y el reflector, la calcomanía y la ratificación
¿Quién lo va a pagar? ¿Tu?
¿Quién lo va a pagar? ¿tu?
Violencia...
Queremos ver que va a pasarles
Queremos ver que va a pasar después
The song "Violencia" by Los Prisioneros is a scathing critique of the violence and aggression that permeates society, particularly in the context of car culture. The lyrics describe two drivers who get out of their cars to investigate a loud noise, one from behind and the other from the front. They both hold onto a steel instrument to assert control over their vehicles. The scene attracts onlookers who gather around to watch and bet on what will happen next. The oil underneath the van makes for a perfect occasion for a fight to break out. The chorus repeatedly chants the word "violencia," emphasizing the album's overall theme.
The second verse describes the violent clash between the two drivers as they thrash around, smashing their cars and potentially injuring each other. The bystanders react with a mix of horror and fascination, taking photos and videos to document the event. The lyrics then highlight one of the underlying problems with this culture of violence - the costs associated with repairing the damage caused by these confrontations. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "queremos ver que va a pasar después," which translates to "we want to see what will happen next," suggesting that this culture of violence is a vicious cycle that is difficult to escape.
Overall, Los Prisioneros's "Violencia" is a potent critique of the toxic aggression and violence that exists in contemporary society, particularly in car culture. It highlights the destructive impact that such behavior has on individuals and society at large, emphasizing the costs that must be paid as a result of these clashes.
Line by Line Meaning
Dos conductores con mala suerte
Two unlucky drivers
Se bajan a chequear lo que sonó tan fuerte
Get out to check what sounded so loud
Uno por detrás el otro por delante
One from behind, the other from the front
Instrumento de metal que afirma el volante
Metal instrument that holds the steering wheel
Los espectadores se acercan preparan la mirada, preparan las apuestas
Spectators approach, prepare their gaze, and their bets
La avenida se comienza a llenar y parece que se van a pelear
The avenue begins to fill up and it seems like they are going to fight
Aceite pegajoso debajo del furgón revela lo perfecto de la ocasión
Sticky oil under the van reveals the perfect opportunity
Se...se...se...se...dale...dale...dale...dale
Go...go...go...go...hit it...hit it...hit it...hit it
Violencia violencia violencia
Violence, violence, violence
Violencia violencia violencia
Violence, violence, violence
Queremos ver que va a pasar después
We want to see what happens next
Si...si...si...si...si
Yes...yes...yes...yes...yes
Caen los fierros, Crujen los cráneos
Iron falls, skulls crack
Esto se pone feo ¡ah, que me mareo!
This is getting ugly, oh, I feel dizzy!
Los espectadores se persignan uno toma fotos, el otro filma
Spectators cross themselves, one takes photos, the other films
Los matazos en la danza de espadas, somos todos gente muy civilizada
The blows in the sword dance, we are all very civilized people
Pero el precio de la pintura, el parachoques y la nueva armadura
But the price of the paint, the bumper, and the new armor
La desabolladura y el reflector, la calcomanía y la ratificación
The dent removal and reflector, the sticker and approval
¿Quién lo va a pagar? ¿Tu?
Who's going to pay for it? You?
¿Quién lo va a pagar? ¿tu?
Who's going to pay for it? You?
Violencia...
Violence...
Queremos ver que va a pasarles
We want to see what will happen to them
Queremos ver que va a pasar después
We want to see what happens next
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.