In 1998, the band Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Carlos Santana, José "Chepito" Areas, David Brown, Gregg Rolie, Mike Carabello, and Michael Shrieve The band has earned nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, the latter all in 2000. Carlos Santana won a Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1988. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling groups of all time. In 2013, Santana announced a reunion of the classic line-up for a new album, Santana IV, which was released in April 2016. They are tied for having the most won Grammy Awards in one night.
Veracruz
Santana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way down south, talkin' 'bout Mexico
Straight through the jungle, out to the sea
We'll have some fun if you fly away with me
Like some old movie in black and white
We'll fall in love in the middle of the night
Me and you, down in Veracruz
Do what you wanna do, down in Veracruz
Come on, baby, don't you wanna come
In the town, people movin' to the drums
Rosa's Cantina, it never stops
Drinkin' cerveza, people party 'til they drop
Forget the laundry, forget the rain
We'll get to heaven on the seven-thirty plane
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics of Santana's song "Veracruz" are about the joy of escaping the mundane, everyday life and heading somewhere exotic and exciting like Mexico. The opening lyrics, "Come on, baby, don't you wanna go, Way down south, talkin' 'bout Mexico," capture the sense of adventure and the call to leave one's troubles behind. The next few lines describe a journey to Mexico through the jungle and out to the sea, promising to "have some fun if you fly away with me." The lyrics compare this adventure to an "old movie in black and white," conjuring up an image of a classic romance played out in a beautiful setting.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of enjoying oneself without any restrictions or worries, expressing that the singer and their partner can do whatever they want in Veracruz. The second verse mentions Rosa's Cantina, a popular location for music, dancing, and drinking in Mexico. The revelry continues as people party until they drop drinking cerveza. The lyrics encourage listeners to forget about their issues and enjoy themselves, saying "Forget the laundry, forget the rain, we'll get to heaven on the seven-thirty plane." Overall, "Veracruz" is about taking a break from one's exhausting routine and indulging in a dreamy, exciting getaway.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, baby, don't you wanna go
Encouraging the listener to travel with the singer
Way down south, talkin' 'bout Mexico
Specifically inviting the listener to Mexico
Straight through the jungle, out to the sea
Describing the route of travel, through landscapes of nature
We'll have some fun if you fly away with me
Promising the listener a good and enjoyable time
Like some old movie in black and white
Painting a picture of romanticized nostalgia
We'll fall in love in the middle of the night
The romantic activity that will happen during the trip
Me and you, down in Veracruz
Referencing where the trip will take place and who will be there
Do what you wanna do, down in Veracruz
Giving the listener freedom to enjoy themselves however they choose in Veracruz
Come on, baby, don't you wanna come
Again inviting the listener to come along
In the town, people movin' to the drums
Depicting a lively atmosphere in the town of Veracruz
Rosa's Cantina, it never stops
Naming a popular hangout spot that's always active
Drinkin' cerveza, people party 'til they drop
Detailing what happens at Rosa's Cantina- drinking and partying until exhaustion
Forget the laundry, forget the rain
Encouraging the listener to throw their cares away and enjoy themselves fully
We'll get to heaven on the seven-thirty plane
Using hyperbole to describe how enjoyable and uplifting the trip will be
Me and you, down in Veracruz
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the destination and company
Do what you wanna do, down in Veracruz
Repeating the chorus to remind the listener of their freedom to enjoy themselves
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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