Clandestino

Manu Chao

About Clandestino

"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. Look around — maybe 30% of the people in this street are clandestino [illegal]." The song peaked at number 78 on the French charts. It charted again in November 2013, peaking at number 196.


Year:
2002
233 
#1

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Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr es mi destino
Para burlar la ley
Perdido en el corazón
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen el clandestino
Por no llevar papel
Pa' una ciudad del norte
Yo me fui a trabajar
Mi vida la dejé
Entre Ceuta y Gibraltar
Soy una raya en el mar
Fantasma en la ciudad
Mi vida va prohibida
Dice la autoridad

Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr es mi destino
Por no llevar papel
Perdido en el corazón
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen el clandestino
Yo soy el quiebra ley
Mano Negra clandestina
Peruano clandestino
Africano clandestino
Marihuana ilegal

Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr es mi destino
Para burlar la ley
Perdido en el corazón
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen el clandestino
Por no llevar papel

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Manu Chao

Manu Chao (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmanu ˈtʃao]; born José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao on June 21, 1961) is a French, Spanish and English singer of Spanish roots (Basque and Galician). He sings in French, Spanish, English, Italian, Galician, Arabic and Portuguese and occasionally in other languages. Chao began his musical career in Paris, busking and playing with groups such as Hot Pants and Los Carayos, which combined a variety of languages and musical styles. With friends and his brother Antoine Chao, he founded the band Mano Negra in 1987, achieving considerable success, particularly in Europe. He became a solo artist after its breakup in 1995, and since then tours regularly with his live band, Radio Bemba. more »

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Written by: Jose Manuel Chao

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Background Information
"Clandestino" is a popular song by Manu Chao, a French-born musician of Spanish origin.
Release and Reception
Released in 1998, the song "Clandestino" is from Manu Chao's debut solo album of the same name. The album gained a significant amount of critical acclaim and commercial success, selling over 5 million copies worldwide.
Song Meaning
"Clandestino" is a Spanish term that translates to "clandestine" or "secret" in English. The song speaks about the plight and loneliness of illegal immigrants.
Language Diversity
As with many of Manu Chao's songs, "Clandestino" is sung in multiple languages - primarily in Spanish, with some lines in English and French. This highlights Chao's multicultural origins and his ability to appeal to a global audience.
Cultural Influence
The song has impacted Latin music and global pop culture. It has been covered by various artists in different languages, including Italian, Greek, and Arabic.
Music Style
"Clandestino" demonstrates Manu Chao's eclectic musical style, mixing elements of Latin, reggae, and rock genres, combined with his distinctive, plaintive vocals.
Notable Accolades
The 'Clandestino' album won the Best World Music Album award at the 1999 Victoires de la Musique awards, a major French music award ceremony.
Activism Element
Manu Chao is known for his outspokenness on social issues such as immigration and human rights, themes that are clearly expressed in "Clandestino."
Song's Popularity
Even over 20 years after its release, "Clandestino" continues to be one of Manu Chao's most streamed and celebrated songs, maintaining its relevance and emotional impact.
Music Video
The music video for "Clandestino" won the Best Music Video award at the 1999 Premios Lo Nuestro, highlighting its visual storytelling that complements the song's narrative.
Collaboration
In 2019, Colombian singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Shakira covered the song "Clandestino" in a collaboration with Maluma, further cementing the song's influence in the global music scene.

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