Manu Chao, born José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao on June 21, 1961, in Paris, … Read Full Bio ↴Manu Chao, born José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao on June 21, 1961, in Paris, France, is a multifaceted musician celebrated for his eclectic musical style and socially conscious lyrics. Chao's musical journey began in the vibrant Parisian music scene, where he immersed himself in diverse influences ranging from punk and rock to reggae and salsa. Co-founding the band Mano Negra in 1987, Chao showcased his knack for blending genres, resulting in international acclaim with albums like "Patchanka" (1988) and "Casa Babylon" (1994). Following the dissolution of Mano Negra in 1995, Chao embarked on a prolific solo career, marked by albums such as "Clandestino" (1998) and "Próxima Estación: Esperanza" (2001), where he continued to push musical boundaries while addressing social and political issues. Incorporating elements of street music and bar scenes from various cultures, Chao formed Radio Bemba Sound System, collaborating with musicians from Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina to create a vibrant fusion of sounds. His innovative use of technology, including recording exclusively on a laptop, reflects his commitment to artistic experimentation. Through his music, Chao has championed themes of cultural diversity, social justice, and global solidarity, earning him a revered status as a visionary musician and cultural ambassador.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manu_Chao

Discography
Clandestino (1998)
Próxima Estación: Esperanza (2001)
Radio Bemba Sound System (2002)
Sibérie m'était contéee (2004)
La Radiolina (2007)
Baionarena (2008)

El Dorado 1997
Manu Chao Lyrics

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¿Que paso que paso ?
A caipira planto
¿Que paso que paso ?
A policia llego
¿Que paso que paso ?
O semterra murio
¿Que paso que paso ?
Chacinha no Eldorado

¿Que paso que paso ?
A globo relato
¿Que paso que paso ?
O politico falo
¿Que paso que paso ?
En pizza acabo…
¿Que paso que paso ?
Chacinha no Eldorado

¿QUE PASO QUE PASO ?
Radio Bemba relato…

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Manu Chao's song "El Dorado 1997" speak about various events that occurred in Eldorado, a town in Brazil, in 1997. The first two lines ("Que paso que paso? A caipira planto / Que paso que paso? A policia llego") talk about a farmer who has planted something and the police arrives. This could be a reference to the conflict between Brazilian farmers and government officials over land rights.

The next lines ("Que paso que paso? O semterra murio / Que paso que paso? Chacinha no eldorado") mention the death of a Sem Terra, a member of the Landless Workers' Movement that fights for agrarian reform in Brazil, and the massacre of Chacinha, where 19 people were killed in a land conflict.

The following lines talk about the media coverage of these events ("Que paso que paso? A globo relato / Que paso que paso? O politico falo / Que paso que paso? En pizza acabo"), implying that the media and politicians have played a role in manipulating the truth and turning the events into a spectacle.

The final line ("Que paso que paso? Radio bemba relato") refers to "Radio Bemba," a term used in Latin America to describe gossip and rumors spread by word of mouth, suggesting that the people are listening to the rumors and coming to their own conclusions.

Overall, the lyrics of "El Dorado 1997" address issues of land rights, social inequality, and the power dynamics between the media, politicians, and the people.

Line by Line Meaning