The Meaning Behind The Song: Contigo by Joaquín Sabina
As a music journalist, I am often captivated by the power of lyrics and the emotions they evoke. One song that has always held a special place in my heart is “Contigo” by Joaquín Sabina. I remember stumbling upon this song at a friend’s house, and from the moment the first note struck, I was entranced.
Table of Contents
“Contigo” tells a story of love, but not the conventional kind. It rejects the idea of a civilized love, with its receipts and staged scenes on a sofa. Instead, Sabina sings about a raw and intense love that defies societal norms. The lyrics express a desire for a love that is not bound by obligations or shared responsibilities.
The song opens with the line, “Yo no quiero un amor civilizado” (I don’t want a civilized love), immediately setting the tone for a rebellious and passionate declaration. Sabina rejects the idea of traveling to the past or celebrating Valentine’s Day, expressing a longing for a love that is free from conventional expectations.
The repetition of the phrase “Yo no quiero” (I don’t want) throughout the song reinforces this rejection of societal norms. Sabina lists a series of things he doesn’t want, like taking care of each other’s suitcases or choosing each other’s shampoo. These seemingly mundane details carry a deeper meaning, symbolizing a desire for independence and autonomy within a relationship.
One of the most striking lines in the song is, “Lo que yo quiero, corazón cobarde, es que mueras por mí” (What I want, cowardly heart, is for you to die for me). This line encapsulates the intensity and passion of Sabina’s love. It suggests a longing for a love so consuming that one would be willing to die for it.
The song’s chorus, “Y morirme contigo si te matas, y matarme contigo si te mueres” (And to die with you if you kill yourself, and to kill myself with you if you die), further emphasizes the idea that love is a powerful force that can bring both joy and destruction. Sabina’s lyrics suggest that love, when it does not die, kills. It is an all-encompassing emotion that can both heal and harm.
“Contigo” is a song that speaks to the depths of human emotion. Its powerful lyrics and haunting melody have the ability to transport listeners to a place of intense vulnerability and passion. Sabina’s words remind us that love is not always predictable or civilized, but it can be a force that drives us to the brink of madness and ecstasy.
In conclusion, “Contigo” by Joaquín Sabina is a song that defies societal expectations of love and celebrates a raw and intense passion. Its lyrics resonate with those who seek a love that is untamed by convention. This song reminds us of the power of love and the profound emotions it can evoke within us.
Song Lyrics:
Yo no quiero un amor civilizado
Con recibos y escena de un sofá;
Yo no quiero que viajes al pasado
Y vuelvas del mercado
Con ganas de llorar
Yo no quiero vecínas con pucheros;
Yo no quiero sembrar ni compartir;
Yo no quiero catorce de febrero
Ni cumpleaños feliz
Yo no quiero cargar con tus maletas;
Yo no quiero que elijas mi champú;
Yo no quiero mudarme de planeta
Cortarme la coleta
Brindar a tu salud
Yo no quiero domingos por la tarde;
Yo no quiero columpio en el jardín;
Lo que yo quiero, corazón cobarde
Es que mueras por mí
Y morirme contigo si te matas
Y matarme contigo si te mueres
Porque el amor cuando no muere mata
Porque amores que matan nunca mueren
Yo no quiero juntar para mañana
Nunca supe llegar a fin de mes;
Yo no quiero comerme una manzana
Dos veces por semana
Sin ganas de comer
Yo no quiero calor de invernadero;
Yo no quiero besar tu cicatriz;
Yo no quiero París con aguacero
Ni Venecia sin ti
No me esperes a las doce en el juzgado;
No me digas “volvamos a empezar”;
Yo no quiero ni libre ni ocupado
Ni carne ni pecado
Ni orgullo ni piedad
Yo no quiero saber por qué lo hiciste;
Yo no quiero contigo ni sin ti;
Lo que yo quiero, muchacha de ojos tristes
Es que mueras por mí
Y morirme contigo si te matas
Y matarme contigo si te mueres
Porque el amor cuando no muere mata
Porque amores que matan nunca mueren
Additional Information:
Album title: Yo, mí, me, contigo (1996)
«Contigo» se vale de la anáfora en las estrofas que constituyen la primera y segunda partes de la canción, donde el «Yo no quiero» se repite dieciocho veces a lo largo de ellas formando, por tanto, dieciocho versos endecasílabos, una de las métricas preferidas del Barroco, la mayoría de ellos consecutivos. Como efecto de significación, el «Yo no quiero» ofrece a la vez la preeminencia del enunciador en primera persona y su definición por la negativa, otro rasgo barroco, de una concepción del amor que reniega (al igual que ocurría en el «Romance de la gentil dama y el rústico pastor») del amancebamiento/aburguesamiento del sujeto poético, para oponerlo antitéticamente, al final de cada parte, a la afirmación de «Lo que yo quiero».
Credits:
Written By Joaquín Sabina
Release Date 1996
Cover By Contigo by Alejandro Sanz
Performed Live As Contigo (Directo) by Joaquín Sabina
Tags: Pop, En Español
As I listen to “Contigo” by Joaquín Sabina, I can’t help but be transported to a place where love defies conventions and embraces the raw intensity of emotions. This song reminds me of the beauty and complexity of human relationships, and the power that love holds over us. It is a true masterpiece that continues to resonate with listeners, capturing the essence of love in all its forms.
