1001 Songs Challenge,  2000s,  Music

1001 Songs Challenge #897: Clandestino (2001)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

 

Manu Chao – Clandestino (2001)

Clandestino (Manu Chao song) – Wikipedia

” Clandestino” is the second single and the title track from Manu Chao’s first album, Clandestino . The lyrics of the song are sung in Spanish and deal with the issue of immigration: “I wrote it about the border between Europe and those coming from poorer nations.

 

Lyrics (via Genius)

 

We’re remaining in France and in Paris today, dear reader, as I am a tad stuffed on the local bread and have had a bit too much wine to be flying. Anyway, our guest today is Manu Chao who was born in France but his family roots stretch west to Spain. Singing in a wide range of languages and fusing various genres, Manu Chao began his career in the 1980s and was in Mano Negra (1987 – 1995) before moving onto a solo career. We join him in 2001, three years after the release of his debut album, Clandestino, and from there 1001 Songs have gone with the title track, released as a single at the start of the 21st century. 

Clandestino is sung in Spanish and concerns the very serious issue of immigration. Chao was particularly focused on the metaphorical bridge between Europe and the rest of the world. In the song the perilous lives of refugees are addressed. They do not have the necessary paperwork they need to settle in a new home, they are constantly on the run and all they want is to be able to stop and live their lives. The authorities in various countries are not forthcoming though with many viewing these people simply as “illegals” and determined to deport them.  

Clandestino is heavily driven by guitar with Manu Chao providing some excellent vocals to what is a very important but difficult subject to address in music. This idea that people in need of sanctuary are treated as enemies is one of the great tragedies of history and it is clearly an important issue for Chao. He continues to perform to this day and has released four albums and two live records, though the last was back in 2008.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah (1994)

Radiohead – Paranoid Android (1997)

My name is Dave and I live in Yorkshire in the north of England and have been here all my life. I hope you enjoy your visit to All is Ephemeral.

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