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)

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

El Kitapena
Manu Chao Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Vivir sin ti es vivir muriendo
Vivir así no lo recomiendo
Y así que así yo sigo existiendo
Vivir sin ti es morir queriendo
Cantar pa ti son mis peticiones
Mis bendiciones sin condiciones
Vivir sin ti es desilusiones

Vivir sin ti es vivir muriendo
Vivir así no lo recomiendo
Y así que así yo sigo existiendo
Vivir sin ti es morir queriendo
Cantar pa ti es clavarme espinas
Vivir sin ti es mi droga ruina
Cantarte a ti es mi quita penas

Cantar pa ti es clavarme espinas
Vivir sin ti es droga ruina
Cantarte a ti es mi quita penas

Cantarte a ti es mi quita penas
Cantarte a ti es mi quita penas

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Manu Chao's song El Kitapena express the pain of living without the person you love. The singer describes living without their beloved as living while dying because it is a torturous experience. He notes that he would not recommend anyone to live like that. Despite the pain, he continues to exist, though he feels like he is dying inside, wishing he could be with his lover. The chorus repeats the sentiment that living without the person you love is like dying while wanting them.

The singer states that singing to his lover is his way of expressing his love and dedication to them. He does it unconditionally, and it is his way of connecting with the person he loves. However, he also acknowledges that singing to his lover at times can be a painful experience, like a thorn pricking his heart. He likened living without his lover to being on a path of destruction, a drug that leads him to ruin. But despite this, he continues to sing, finding solace in the act of singing and dedicating his songs to his beloved, which is like a salve that soothes his pain.

The lyrics of El Kitapena express a degree of emotional turmoil that many can relate to when losing someone they love. The singer uses the metaphor of "vivir sin ti es morir queriendo" ("living without you is like dying while wanting you") to describe this pain. Overall, the song is about the intense agony of a broken heart, a pain that can be alleviated only by being with the one you love.

Line by Line Meaning

Vivir sin ti es vivir muriendo
Living without you is like living a slow death.

Vivir así no lo recomiendo
I don't recommend living like this.

Y así que así yo sigo existiendo
And yet, I continue to exist this way.

Vivir sin ti es morir queriendo
Living without you is like dying from the desire for you.

Cantar pa ti son mis peticiones
Singing for you is my plea.

Mis bendiciones sin condiciones
My blessings are unconditional.

Vivir sin ti es desilusiones
Living without you is full of disappointments.

Cantar pa ti es clavarme espinas
Singing for you is like pricking myself with thorns.

Vivir sin ti es mi droga ruina
Living without you is like a ruined drug addiction for me.

Cantarte a ti es mi quita penas
Singing to you is my way of easing my pain.

Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: JOSE-MANUEL THO CHAO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind