Chicha: An Ode to Peruvian Cumbia
Chicha is Peruvian cumbia, and it’s among the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. It’s addictive; I can’t stop listening to it. The gringo ear, if not acclimated to Latin music, may not appreciate these songs on the first listen. Unfortunately, many Peruvians don’t like or even hate Peruvian cumbia. It’s seen as a lower-class music, but it’s apparently gaining popularity compared to a generation ago (as it should).
American groups, from rock bands to hip hop acts, typically have four or five people at most. Salsa and cumbia bands bring out the whole neighborhood: trombones, trumpets, guitars, various percussion instruments, leading vocals, backup vocals, etc. The horns are the key that differentiates salsa and different types of cumbia from gringo music. Once you come to love the sound of the horns, you’ll be addicted too.
Another difference is the theme of the lyrics. Read my post about Love in Latin America for context on why and how Latin music is far and away more romantic. The following songs, as you’ll see in my selected translations, are all about love (with the exception of the last dance song, La Ricotona). These musicians aren’t just singing about love, but live to die for. The passion in these songs simply isn’t in gringo music.
Peru is a poor country (second to only Bolivia in South America), and I’m of the opinion that poverty enhances art via stronger emotions. People lacking in material things feel love more intensely.
I must warn any readers who’ve lived in Peru for an extended period – these songs may arouse longing for that very special country.
Grupo 5 “Motor y Motivo”
This is a meat-and-potatoes chicha track by Grupo 5, the most popular of Peruvian cumbia groups. This is a good warm-up for the gringo ear to start dissecting the sounds, from the horns to percussion to Spanish lyrics.
When some of these popular tracks play in a discoteca, everybody in the place will sing along. If you don’t know the words, you’re not in the club. Popular sing-alongs include El Embrujo, Te Vas, or the top hits by Hermanos Yaipen.
Grupo Nectar “Arbolito”
This is a classic track from a classic group, Grupo Nectar. Grupo Nectar only achieved popularity after most of them died in a tragic bus crash.
I noted earlier that many Peruvians dismiss cumbia for various reasons. I understand how I could think this stuff is corny (cursi) if I’d have grown up hearing it in Peru. But I didn’t grow up hearing it so I think it’s cool. It makes me emotional when I hear it. Lyrics with translations:
That tree, where it’s written …
Your name and mine, your name and mine …
Papillon “Triste Payaso”
The passion in the singing and of this anthem has made it a repeated mainstay. The lyrics aren’t many but they count as another example of how love is a more passionate affair in Latin America. A catchy, solid orchestra backing it up and the lyrics tell the story better than me. Also note the song’s written about a lost girlfriend but sung in a woman’s voice.
No hay licor que me ayude a saciar mi dolor…
There’s no booze that can ease my pain…
No hay mujer que me ayude a olvidar este amor…
There’s no woman to help me forget this love…
Estoy llorando, estoy sufriendo, ella se fue…
I’m crying, I’m suffering, she left…
Llevo la vida de un triste payaso que rie por fuera y llora por dentro…
I live the life of a sad clown who smiles outside and cries inside.
Mis amigos me ven sonreir pero no saben que estoy destrozado de amor…
My friends see me smile but don’t know I’m destroyed from love…
Esa es mi vida, así vivo yo, así muero yo…
That’s my life, that’s how I live, that’s how I die…
Mi rostro sonrie y mientras mi alma llora su lamento de amor …
My face smiles while my soul mourns its love loss…
Dilbert Aguilar “Vuela Palomita”
I chose Vuela Palomita for an example of raw vocal power, some of the best singing to come out of Peru. When I listen to this song, I can actually picture the Peruvian people: from their voice to their skin to their hair. Damn I miss that country!
Armonia 10 “La Ricotona”
This is a chicha dance song. Chorus lyrics translated:
La Ricotona ya empezó a pegar
con este ritmo que te pone a gozar
a que toda mi gente lo baile sin parar
para que toda mi gente lo tenga en todo lugar
La Ricotona has started to hit
with this rhythm that makes you hot
to all my people, dance without stop
so all my people have it everywhere
(Some of this stuff is hard to translate, so leave it in a comment if you have a better translation)
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5 Responses to “Chicha: An Ode to Peruvian Cumbia”
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Grupo 5 is great. Much more traditional than the Kumbia Kings. Mexicans like cumbia as well. It is great party music and everbody– kids to grandparents can dance to it. Thanks, I will be listtening to those guys. As far as intense love. As an Irish-American I have extreme difficulty sharing my emotions with any other person. I was raised that it was a sign of weakness and 4 years in the USMC cemented that into my psyche. However if I am at a party and hear either “Danny Boy”, Volver, or “Fairytale of New York” by the Pogues I cry like a baby.
Nice post, man.
Keep it up.
Slightly off topic..
Sexually frustrated in Latin America?
Just tell me..
Is it a case of virgins or whores there?
…and nothing in the middle..
I would be curious to know coz I am considering moving there.
Regards
E.R
virgin or whores?
huh?
dunno. are you frustrated.
I love cumbia.
peruano al corazon
you should move back dude. I am sure I’ll end up in arequipa, algund dia sere characato con mas que mi pasaporte arequipeño jaja
“Sexually-frustrated” was put into my tagline purely for marketing purposes to get people to click through to my blog. i do talk about sex a lot so i don’t think i’m being dishonest.
To answer your question, you’ll be spoiled with loads of sex if that’s what you want. You can get quantity or quality; I’m currently focused on the latter.
If you do move to Latin America, please don’t write like you did in that comment. I’m trying to mix in with these folks while also making them competitive, competent people to be leaders in capitalism. They don’t need encouragement in their awful writing skills.