Preview

This is a music review of Arjona's song if the north were the south.

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
658 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
This is a music review of Arjona's song if the north were the south.
If the North Were the South, Same Thing.

Ricardo Arjona is one of the most renowned Latin American singers. He is characterized for his socially conscious and heartfelt folk ballads and rock tunes. In addition, he also plays a variety of styles that combine traditional South American folk music with rock, hip-hop, and classical music, Arjona sings about subjects ranging from faded love to social inequities. In 1996, Arjona wrote the song “Si el Norte Fuera el Sur” (If the North were the South), in which he expresses a subjective, yet truthful point of view of what the North American culture is; and how it could change if we exchange places with the South. In this song, Arjona uses many literactully techniques such as irony and analogies; Arjona also adds a type of hardcore rock and an interesting use of the electric guitar.

There are many literally elements that this song has, but the main element is the plot or theme of the song, which is pretty straight and to the point. “Si el Norte Fuera el Sur” (If the North were the South)’s main plot is a story of how the North could experience all the social struggles that the South Americans countries have to deal with, if as the song’s title suggest “. “Si el Norte Fuera el Sur” (If the North were the South). The main plot is divided into three stages; the first stage is the introduction, in which Arjona gives a subjective opinion of what the North really is all about. Then, he moves to the second stage or the body of the song; during this stage Arjona mentions a series of well known North American personages and situations that help him establish his exchange of geography. Finally, the third stage or conclusion is when Arjona really say what the bottom line of all this is; the fact that nothing will really change.

Ricardo Arjona is well known for the rich content of literally elements in his lyrics, especially for the touch of irony and analogies. “Con 18 eres un niño para un trago en algun bar, pero ya eres todo



References: ttp://www.satyamag.com/may03/carter-long.htmlhttp://www.answers.com/topic/ricardo-arjona

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Selena Movie Analysis

    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In effect, by glossing over Selena’s transition into the Latin American the film Selena ignores her accomplishments in the Latin American market which was not easy to enter. Although the film touches on the obstacles Selena had to overcome to become successful in Latin America it still makes it seem as if Selena was an automatic sensation, particularly in Mexico, where it is known she had difficulty winning people over. This is evident through the one scene in the movie where Selena visits Mexico and whilst there speaks Spanglish to reporters without any repercussions as later on a newspaper calls her the “genuine artist of the people.” Yet, it is no secret that at the beginning of her career the language barrier between Selena and her Mexican audience posed an issue as she was derided for using an interpreter to communicate with the Spanish-language media (Paredez 204).…

    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    El Norte Symbolism

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages

    El Norte, a 1983 film directed by Gregory Nava, depicts the life of two indigenous teenagers who flee their native country, Guatemala, in search for a better life in America. The reason for fleeing is due to the ethnic and political oppression of the Guatemalan Civil War. The film builds up a strong connection shared between Enrique and Rosa, one of genuine feeling and fierce emotion. This connection is foregrounded by the exaggerated style and is often compared to adulterated relations among Hispanics. Such a differentiation is proposed to underline the strain on the social connection created by the financial aspects of migration. In both Enrique’s and Rosa’s hopes of pursuing the “American Dream”, their fantasies of a better life are both…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Jose Manuel Figueroa, better known as Joan Sebastian, was a Mexican singer and songwriter, as well as an actor. Throughout his career he wrote over 1,000 songs, most of which were a mixture of Latin pop and rancheras. He was known as “El Rey del Jaripeo” or “the King of Mexican Rodeo,” for his romantic and sentimental ballads and his memorable performances; most of which consisted of him performing on horseback. He was a passionate and energetic performer who didn't let his bone cancer stop him from doing what he loved. Joan Sebastian influenced the lives of his fans by reminding them to do what they love and to never give up on your dreams.…

    • 115 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    A quick read of Ana Castillo's poetry will provide a reader with much knowledge of the style she uses. The style used in "Seduced by Natassja Kinski" and "El Chicle" is conveyed vividly. A key ingredient to Castillo's style is imagery. Castillo uses imagery to portray the environment, object movements, emotions, and everything else that is of utmost importance. Also important to Castillo's style is her choice of words. Castillo refers to all words in poems as gold. Every word must be picked and placed with all the care in the world. Along with her imagery and choice of words, metaphors, poetry form, and flow are essential to creating the two featured poems.…

    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Luis Angel

    • 1186 Words
    • 5 Pages

    He first began as an actor on many telenovelas then later shifted his focus onto performing vallenato music. He began performing a modern version of vallenato paseo called pop vallenata or modern vallenato in which he incorporates traditional vallenato paseo instruments such as the accordion bass and percussion and even adds gaitas to the formula. Gaitas are wind instruments that can either be macho (one or two holes) or hembra (5 holes). (Smithsonian Institution, 2010) In 1993 he released his album, Clasicos de la Provincia which was the first Colombian record that sold more than a million copies and won the Billboard Latin Music Award in 1995. This album sparked the international recognition of vallenato music. Carlos Vives role in internationalizing vallenato music nevertheless also help spread cultural pride. As mentioned in the Smithsonian article, “Paseos often have a costumbrista flavor, evoking local lifeways, people, or history” (Smithsonian folkway, 4). In other words it tells the stories of people’s lifestyle and history which can show how cultural pride which can be transmitted through vallenato music. Carlos Vives has achieved the art of spreading cultural pride through his music, for example he mentions how “We modern vallenato musicians are Elvises of the Magdalena River. We are trying to make modern music based on folklore, utilizing vallenato values, which are joy, stories, soul, and sincerity. We’re making new music, but based on that root.” (Smithsonian Folkway, 7). In this quote he is demonstrating how even though he is moving into a more modernized vallenato paseo, his music still relies on the structure and values of vallenato paseo. This demonstrates the spread of cultural pride because he is preserving the essence of vallenato while appealing to audiences from all over the world through his pop vallenato…

    • 1186 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Showing affection through lyrics Artist like Juanes and the band Cafe Tacuba use their songs to show affection for someone they care for. This is a common theme in a lot of Latin American music to express their emotion. In Juanes’s song Es por ti some of his lyrics talk about the appreciation of someone, for example “Soy el que quererte quiere como nadie soy” talks about how being and caring for that one person Is all Juanes wants.…

    • 337 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Narcocorridos Analysis

    • 1390 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In addition, historically women have been ostracized in society portraying them second class citizens, however narcocorridos have changed the perspective of gender roles within the music genre. In most cultures the sense of the male domination is seen as normal, therefore when women are portrayed against this norms a catalysis emerges. Similarly, Bradley Tatar explores this idea in the article Hombres Bravos, Mujeres Bravas: Gender and Violence in the Mexican Corrido. Moreover, Tatar explores different songs in which women are portrayed as powerful, breaking all types of Mexican society norms. As an example, Tatar explores the corrido Laurita Garza which narrates the story of a woman that killed her boyfriend, and elaborates, “In this dialogue,…

    • 1390 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    As we moved on to his next favorite song. He introduced me to his next favorite song “un puno de tierra” which is translated into English as “a pile of dirt” by an artist called Antonio Aguilar. Who my father said is now dead, but has made over 150 albums. Which is outstanding for artist to make I did not even know that was possible. As we listened the song he said it really spoke to him. Because he said that it really reminds him of life back in Mexico working in the ranch. He said it reminded him of his father. He says that when he listens to this song he can imagine himself driving through Mexico looking at the wasteland in the heat. While having the wind blow on his face. He says that the song is his favorite song because of the lyrics…

    • 215 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Music from the hispanic carribean has become a major part of the culture accross major cities in the United States, which there has been many influences on music in the Hispanic Carribean. There’s a variety of genres with music in the Hispanic Carribean such as merengue, salsa, Spanish-language hip hop, Latin jazz, reggaeton, and many others. There’s many culture differences between the Hispanic Carribean nations, but according to the reading, “a certain pan-Latino sense of identity, of shared values and heritage, is evident”. Latinos in America have been influencing musical styles in this country for decades, and the reading also mentions that Spanish culture in America have influenced musical styles in the United States since the last two centuries, as well as assimilating influences.…

    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jose Feliciano Biography

    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Jose Feliciano born in September 10, 1945, is a famous Puerto Rican singer. He is a virtuoso guitarist and composer known for many international hits including the 1970 holiday single “Feliz Navidad”.…

    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Our world has shrunk, and as a result societies are intermingling frequently. In the essay, “I, Too, Sing America” by Julia Alvarez, it discusses the struggles of assimilating into American society, during a time of prejudice against minorities. People face persecution when coming to a new country and it only stops if they assimilate. The tone of “I, Too, Sing America” by Julia Alvarez shifts from depressed and disappointed to hopeful and relaxed enhances the central idea.…

    • 514 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Almost every night the people whistle and chant to the music that is starting to play at the large arena. The initiation starts with a loud thundering drum. The trumpet joins with the core melody with the great high pitched voices. The projection and the distinctiveness of the Spanish voices make it unique. The first words are only to inject fun and dance. Once the singers step the first step to the dance, all the brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments whirl together. The sharp upbeats leap the body to move its joints. Both genres of music have two ways of sound: they delight the ear with tremendous rhythm, but as the night flows, their passive, sweet melodies join soul mates. The sounds that pass through Mexico makes us live so vividly and happy. Despite the sounds of the instruments, the auditory the lyrics make is special. Most lyrics are inspirational music. The voice unit the people through words, experiences, and advice. From lost wars in the past to independence, to rising and falling or even to love songs, it engages the public’s…

    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    | En los años sesenta, época que musicalmente se conoce como La Nueva Ola, surge en Puerto Rico una vocalista extraordinaria que, con su fuerza interpretativa y su figura delgada y simpática, cautivó inmediatamente a todos los puertorriqueños. Su nombre de pila, Luz Esther Benítez. Su nombre artístico: Lucecita Benítez.…

    • 821 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”, Gloria Anzaldua shares her feelings of social and cultural difficulties that Mexicans face living in the United States and In “Se Habla Espanol” Tanya Maria Barrientos tells of being Latina who doesn’t speak Spanish.…

    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Peking Opera

    • 355 Words
    • 2 Pages

    “Nueva Cancion renewed tradtitional Latin American folk music, and was soon associated with revolutionary movements, the Latin American New Left, Liberation Theology, hippie and human rights movements due to political lyrics”. Many Neuva Cancion musicians were often censored, exiled, forced to disappear and even tortured by “right-winged military dictatorships, as in Francoist…

    • 355 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays