Blades's father is a percussionist-turned-detective and his mother was a singer and radio performer. His grandfather, Reuben Blades, was an English-speaking native of St. Lucia who came to work on the canal, as he tells in the song West Indian Man on the album Amor y Control ("That's where the Blades comes from.") (1992)
After obtaining degrees in political science and law at Panama's Universidad Nacional, Blades worked at the Bank of Panama as a lawyer. In 1974, Blades moved to the United States, staying temporarily with his exiled parents in Miami before moving to New York City. Blades began his musical career in New York writing songs while working in the mailroom at Fania Records, and soon was working with salseros Ray Barretto and Larry Harlow. Shortly thereafter Blades started collaborating with trombonist and band leader Willie Colón, and they recorded several albums together. Their album Siembra (1978) became the best-selling salsa record in history.
After 1980, Blades tried to terminate his contract with Fania, but he was contractually obliged to record several more albums. These are generally considered toss-offs and Blades himself told his fans to avoid them. When he was free of his contractual obligations, Blades signed with another label, Elektra, and assembled a top-notch band (known variously as Seis Del Solar or Son Del Solar) and recorded a number of albums with them.
In the early 1980s, Blades began his career in films as a composer of soundtracks.
In 1982, Blades got his first acting role in The Last Fight writing the title song as well as portraying a singer-turned-boxer vying for a championship against a fighter who was played by real life world champion boxer Salvador Sánchez.
In 1985, Blades gained widespread recognition as co-writer and star of the independent film Crossover Dreams as a New York salsa singer willing to do anything to break into the mainstream. This same year he earned a master's degree in international law from Harvard University. He was also the subject of Robert Mugge's documentary The Return of Ruben Blades, which debuted at that year's Denver Film Festival. During the 1990s, he acted in films, mounted his unsuccessful presidential bid, founding the party Movimiento Papa Egoró, and continued to make salsa records.
His many film appearances include The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), The Two Jakes (1990), Mo' Better Blues (1990), and Devil's Own (1997). In 1999, he played Mexican artist Diego Rivera in Tim Robbins' Cradle Will Rock.
In 1997, Blades headed the cast of singer/songwriter Paul Simon's first Broadway musical, The Capeman, based on a true story about a violent youth who becomes a poet in prison. In the 2003 film Once Upon a Time in Mexico, starring Johnny Depp, Antonio Banderas, and Willem Dafoe, he played the role of a retired FBI agent.
Blades' 1999 album Tiempos which he made with the 12-piece Costa Rican band Editus, represented a break from his salsa past and a rejection of commercial trends in Latin music.
Some might say that "his biggest mistake was releasing an English-language album in 1988 in the wake of his 1987 Grammy for Escenas" [sic] but in fact, he tends to avoid commercial choices. After winning his first Grammy for Escenas in 1986 he recorded the album Agua de Luna based on the short stories of Gabriel Garcia Marquez in 1987. The next year he released the English language collaboration with rock artists Sting, Elvis Costello, and Lou Reed the same year as Antecedente, another Grammy winner. In 2003 he followed the World Music Grammy winner Mundo with a web site free download project. As he said in 2005 when receiving the ASCAP Founders Award about his non-commercial choices, "That's the way I think."
In 2004 he put his artistic careers on hold when he began serving as Minister of Tourism of Panama.
Source: Wikipedia®
Encrucijada
Rubén Blades Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que puede ayudarnos a encontrar la solución
Pero es inútil, nuestra decisión
Si el juego está arreglado por los dueños del balón
Y aquí estoy, contigo, tratando de aclarar la situación
Tiempo de encrucijada pide respuestas claras
De una familia rota
De una corrupción
Brutal vive y aún resiste, la esperanza nacional
Y ahora nos toca reivindicar la vida, la memoria
Y el amor de América, y aquí estoy
Tratando, creyendo que no es tarde para hablar
Tiempo de encrucijada: lucha o retirada
O somos familia rota, o somos Nación salvada
The lyrics to Rubén Blades's song Encrucijada address the struggles and dilemmas faced by individuals, families, and nations in the midst of difficult times. The first verse speaks of a narrow opening of reason that might help us find a solution, but ultimately our decisions are futile if those in power have rigged the game. The chorus, which repeats throughout the song, emphasizes the need for clear answers and action during times of crisis, both on a personal and national level. The song grapples with themes of corruption, broken families, and shattered nations, but ultimately asserts the importance of reclaiming life, memory, and love as a means of overcoming these challenges.
In the second verse, Blades emphasizes the importance of reclaiming one's heritage and identity, particularly in the face of outside influences and oppression. He calls for a reinvigoration of national hope and unity, and rejects the notion of a society divided between broken families and a saved nation. The song ends on a note of determination, with Blades urging his listeners to take action and fight for a better future.
Overall, Encrucijada is a deeply introspective and politically charged song that speaks to the struggles and dilemmas faced by individuals and nations in times of crisis.
Line by Line Meaning
Frente al precipicio hay un resquicio de razón
Even when facing a dire situation, there is always a glimmer of hope that reason may guide us towards a solution.
Que puede ayudarnos a encontrar la solución
This sliver of reason can be useful in helping us find a solution.
Pero es inútil, nuestra decisión
However, it may be useless if our decision-making power is undermined.
Si el juego está arreglado por los dueños del balón
If the game is rigged by those in charge, our chances of coming out on top may be slim.
Y aquí estoy, contigo, tratando de aclarar la situación
Despite the odds, I am here with you, hoping to clarify the situation and find a way forward together.
Tiempo de encrucijada pide respuestas claras
During this time of crisis, we need clear answers to address the challenges we face.
De una familia rota
We must address the issue of broken families.
De una Nación quebrada sobre la desgracia
We must also address the issue of a nation divided by misfortune.
De una corrupción brutal vive y aún resiste, la esperanza nacional
Despite rampant corruption, the national hope still lives and continues to resist.
Y ahora nos toca reivindicar la vida, la memoria
It is up to us to reaffirm the value of life and memory.
Y el amor de América, y aquí estoy
And to rekindle our love for America, I am here.
Tratando, creyendo que no es tarde para hablar
I am trying and I believe it is not too late to have a meaningful conversation.
Tiempo de encrucijada: lucha o retirada
This is a pivotal time, and we must decide whether to fight or surrender.
O somos familia rota, o somos Nación salvada
We can either remain divided as a broken family, or come together and save the nation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BLADES, CASTRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind