History
Ricardo was born in the village of Jocotenango, near Antigua, Guatemala to Ricardo Arjona Moscoso and Noemí Morales de Arjona. When he was three years of age he and his family moved to Guatemala City.
He spent some time as a teacher at a rural primary school, where he reputedly said he spent three hours giving lessons and the rest of the day playing football. This earned him a visit from a Ministry of Education representative, who was sent to evaluate the level of education amongst Ricardo Arjona's pupils. The representative found that the students' level of education was actually above average.
Ricardo Arjona was a talented basketball player, and he played for the team Leones de Marte. He also toured Central America as a member of the Selección de básquetbol de Guatemala (Guatemala's National Basketball Team); until recently he held the record for the most points scored in a single game by a Guatemalan player.
Although he initially enrolled in architecture and engineering subjects, he eventually graduated with a degree from the School of Communication Sciences at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC).
At USAC there is a library hall that bears his name. There is also a street named for him in his birthplace, Jocotenango, Guatemala.
Quinto Piso
Ricardo Arjona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pan de trigo luz de neón
Yo aquí vivo, quinto piso
No consigo sonreír
Y la tele es un revólver
Y el vecino es un caníbal como yo
Y hay tanta gente por la calle
Disimulando la amargura
Hay tantos lunes que los viernes
Están armando sindicatos
Para acudir a la fortuna
Te venden dioses novedosos
Para encontrarse la ternura
Hay quien se manda una pastilla
Este septiembre tan entero
Y esta sonrisa tan llorona
Tanto cielo, tanta luz
Quién me observa desde allí?
Tantos ríos, tanta said
Tanta prisa por llegar
Y el fútbol de los domingos
Y el café que abre unos ojos que no ven
Y hay tanto espacio en el espacio
Y hay tanta duda en las escuelas
Los mercenarios al congreso
Y otro estratega es emboscado
Para acudir a la fortuna
Te venden dioses novedosos
Para encontrarse la ternura
Hay quien se manda una pastilla
Este septiembre tan entero
Y esta sonrisa tan llorona
Cielo arriba, suelo abajo
Pan de trigo luz de neón
In this song, Ricardo Arjona describes the struggles of living in a crowded and impersonal world. He is stuck on the fifth floor of a building, surrounded by people who are just as unhappy and disillusioned as he is. The neon lights and wheat bread that he sees every day are artificial and fail to bring him any real joy. He can't even bring himself to smile anymore.
The television is like a weapon, constantly bombarding him with negative messages and the people around him are like predators, just trying to survive in a difficult world. Despite the fact that there are so many people around him, Arjona is still lonely and disconnected. He questions who is watching over him from the sky and wonders why everyone is in such a hurry to get somewhere they don't even know.
In the chorus, Arjona mentions that people often turn to new gods and pills to find happiness and comfort. He seems to be criticizing the excessive consumerism and commercialization of society, where everything is for sale, including spirituality and love. Overall, the song is a somber reflection on the difficulties of modern life.
Line by Line Meaning
Cielo arriba, suelo abajo
The world is constantly moving around me. There is an existence above me and below me that I cannot control.
Pan de trigo luz de neón
Life is filled with contrast - simple things like bread and artificial light.
Yo aquí vivo, quinto piso
I am living my everyday life, but it feels like I am stuck on the fifth floor.
No consigo sonreír
I am struggling to find joy in life.
Y la tele es un revólver
The television is like a gun - it shoots ideas and opinions into the audience's mind.
Y el vecino es un caníbal como yo
My neighbor and I are both trying to survive in this world, sometimes at each other's expense.
Y hay tanta gente por la calle
There are so many people walking around, but everyone seems to be going in different directions.
Disimulando la amargura
People are hiding their bitterness and pain.
Hay tantos lunes que los viernes
Life can feel like a never-ending cycle of long, mundane days.
Están armando sindicatos
People are banding together to try and create change and find a better future.
Te venden dioses novedosos
People are searching for a sense of spirituality or connection through new and trendy methods.
Para encontrarse la ternura
People are seeking out affection and warmth in their lives.
Hay quien se manda una pastilla
Some people turn to drugs or medication to cope with the difficulties of life.
Este septiembre tan entero
The month of September is a symbol for a time of change and transition.
Y esta sonrisa tan llorona
Even when people try to put on a happy face, deep down they may still be struggling with sadness and pain.
Tanto cielo, tanta luz
There is so much beauty in the world, but it can be overwhelming.
Quién me observa desde allí?
I am curious about who or what is watching me from above.
Tantos ríos, tanta said
There are so many different paths and possibilities in life.
Tanta prisa por llegar
People are always in a rush to get somewhere or achieve something, but sometimes they miss the beauty of the journey itself.
Y el fútbol de los domingos
Soccer is a symbol for the distraction and entertainment that people use to escape from reality.
Y el café que abre unos ojos que no ven
Coffee can provide a short burst of energy and clarity, but it may not solve the bigger problems in life.
Y hay tanto espacio en el espacio
The universe is vast and mysterious, with endless possibilities.
Y hay tanta duda en las escuelas
The education system can create confusion and doubt in students.
Los mercenarios al congreso
Politicians can often be swayed by money and personal gain instead of serving the needs of the people.
Y otro estratega es emboscado
There are always new plans and tactics being developed, both for good and for bad.
Para acudir a la fortuna
People are willing to go to great lengths to try and achieve success and wealth.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICARDO ARJONA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Enedith Narvaez
Amo todos los álbumes de Arjona, pero este , este es más significativo para mí , lo escuché en el 2008 un año que moría en vida y escuchando las canciones de mi cantante favorito volví de nuevo a la vida... Lo amo!!!
YOLIC
Siempre en mi vida voy a llevar sus canciones conmigo
Fernando Fazzalari
Este CD me lo regaló mi ex novia. Cuando era un pibe 19 años. Me acuerdo que me iba a musimundo, en esos tiempos. En donde se podía escuchar música. Y para que no vaya casi todos los días, me termino regalando este hermoso CD. Hermosos recuerdos.
Olga Maria
Yo amo a este hombre 💚💚💚
María Malpica
Definitivamente mi respeto y admiración al ; como yo le llamo; DIOS de GUATEMALA. Gracias RICARDO a la magia que le das a las letras de tus temas. No tienes comparación. Te admiro mucho. Muchas bendiciones 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Federico javier Insaurralde
Este CD es de oro por la historia de mí vida
Saryns Primes
ME ENCANTAN TODAS SU MUSICA TODAS SUS LETRAS SON VIVENCIAS DE SITUACIONES Q PASAMOS MUCHOS
Sara Lobo
Ese álbum es uno de ls + "Emblemáticos" y lo disfrute mucho junto a Patricia, hasta el cansancio hasta q se deterioro, al igual q ls demás Son buenísimos
Alicia beatriz Cristaldo Cristaldo
Ámo todosslos temas de mi querido Ricardo Arjonas, es un génio..
Daniela Pazmiño
Hermoso!!♡♡♡
TE AMO ARJONA