Three Souls was part of a burgeoning Mexican rock movement that had ties to rock's African American roots, the U.S. counterculture, and the then-globalizing recording industry. As rock in Mexico was originally seen as "inauthentic" when sung in Spanish, Three Souls mostly sang covers of American rock and blues songs in English. However, at the Festival de Avándaro, often called "Mexico's Woodstock", they crossed over, singing first in English, then in Spanish. From then on they recorded primarily in Spanish, writing most of their own songs. When asked why they switched to Spanish, Lora replied that it was important for the audience to understand the messages of the songs. While Three Souls had a popular following among the younger generation while singing in English, changing attitudes toward rock pushed the band to perform in the "hoyos fonquis", where the lower classes held semi-chaotic rock shows. Singing in his original language and for a new, energetic, young, and discontented audience, Lora's songs began reflecting more of the reality of the daily lives of average Mexicans, while simultaneously allowing concertgoers to forget those same troubles. Lora gave his own identity to Mexican rock & roll, becoming its emblem.
Yo Canto el Blues
Three Souls in My Mind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Porque en la calle yo siempre vivire
Yo canto el blues
Porque yo soy un incomprendido
Yo tengo muchos problemas que quiero olvidar
La unica forma de hacerlo es ponerme a cantar
Le canto a las mujeres y al vino
Yo canto el blues
Por que el blues es mi unico amigo
Yo tengo muchos problemas que quiero olvidar
La unica forma de hacerlo es ponerme a cantar
Yo tengo muchos problemas... (etc)
The lyrics to "Yo Canto el Blues" by Three Souls in My Mind reflect the desire to express oneself through music as a way to escape from problems and feelings of being misunderstood. The singer sings the blues because they feel a deep connection to the street life and because they consider themselves to be an outsider, someone who is not fully understood by others.
The first verse emphasizes the reasons behind the singer's inclination towards singing the blues. They assert that they always live on the streets, which suggests a rough and unconventional lifestyle. Singing the blues becomes a way for them to cope, channeling their troubles and seeking solace in music. The singer feels like an "incomprendido," someone who is not fully understood or appreciated by others.
In the second verse, the singer further expands on their difficulties, stating that they have many problems they want to forget. Singing the blues becomes their only way to achieve this. It serves as a cathartic release, allowing them to temporarily escape from their problems and find some relief.
Overall, "Yo Canto el Blues" captures the essence of the blues genre, which is often associated with expressing pain, sadness, and hardships. The song reflects the singer's deep connection with the blues, as it becomes their means of self-expression and refuge.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo canto el blues
I sing the blues
Porque en la calle yo siempre vivire
Because I will always live on the streets
Yo canto el blues
I sing the blues
Porque yo soy un incomprendido
Because I am misunderstood
Yo tengo muchos problemas que quiero olvidar
I have many problems that I want to forget
La unica forma de hacerlo es ponerme a cantar
The only way to do it is by singing
Le canto a las mujeres y al vino
I sing to women and wine
Yo canto el blues
I sing the blues
Por que el blues es mi unico amigo
Because the blues is my only friend
Yo tengo muchos problemas que quiero olvidar
I have many problems that I want to forget
La unica forma de hacerlo es ponerme a cantar
The only way to do it is by singing
Yo tengo muchos problemas... (etc)
I have many problems... (etc)
Writer(s): Alejandro Lora Serna
Contributed by Oliver O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.