De Música Ligera

"De Música Ligera"
Single by Soda Stereo
from the album Canción Animal
Released	December 20, 1990
Format	CD single, cassette, vinyl
Recorded	1990
Genre	Alternative rock, post-grunge
Length	3:34
Label	Sony Music (before CBS Records)
Writer(s)	Gustavo Cerati
Producer	Soda Stereo
Soda Stereo singles chronology
"Canción Animal" (1990) "De Música Ligera" "Cae el Sol" (1990)

"De Música Ligera" (Spanish for Of light music) is a song and single of the Argentine rock band Soda Stereo and was written by the vocalist and guitarist of the band, Gustavo Cerati. It was part of the fifth album by the band, Canción Animal, and was included as track number six. It is one of the most famous and symbolic song of the group, whose musical influence has been remarkable in the history of Latin rock for over two decades. This song is considered a hymn of latin rock and of rock in Spanish.

It was the last song of the legendary "last concert" of Soda Stereo in 1997 (El Último Concierto), in which the band split. At the end of that song Gustavo Cerati thanked the fans of the band with a phrase that became famouse:"Gracias... totales" (spanish for: "¡Thank you... totally!"). This moment is remembered as one of the all-time most exciting in the history of Latin rock.

Lyrics

The lyrics of "De música ligera" are surprisingly short, just seven verses. Their meaning is cryptic and intentionally ambiguous: a love of light music, which Cerati recalls as something finished ("nada más queda" (nothing else remains)), but also as a permanent presence ("nada nos libra" (nothing frees us)).

In the first two verses, Cerati says that while she was sleeping "al calor de las masas" (in the heat of the masses), he awoke "queriendo soñarla" (wanting to dream about her). The expression is beautiful and complex: it expresses a clash of states that are worlds apart (sleep and wakefulness), but also the desire to dream of that which has awoken him, to be reunited with her in his own dream. It also expresses her unconsciousness, lulled by the effect of the masses, faced with his lucidity, he can not help waking up and seeing things as they are. [2]

Then he says that "algún tiempo atrás pensé en escribirle" (Some time ago I thought about writing to her) but mysteriously informs us that he could not overcome "las trampas del amor" (the traps of love). However, the song itself is saying that he could not because of "the traps of love." [2]

Cerati finally tells everyone that he will not send "cenizas de rosas" (ashes of roses), nor he will avoid a secret touch "ni pienso evitar un roce secreto," confirming the duality that awakens "aquel amor de música ligera" (the love of light music).

Regarding the theme and the lyrics, Gustavo Cerati once said ^[1]:

The first thing I always write is the chorus, which here was: "de aquel amor de música ligera" (that love of light music). After talking about the music itself: "She slept in the heat of the masses and I woke up wanting to dream of her." That's it, it's the music talking! Between us, we felt and knew that this song was going to burst. Sometimes you feel that. And by the way it came out so instantly, it was as if ten thousand groups had played it before. Perhaps it was not like that... ten thousand groups played it after!

The names are in reference to the most used sequence of notes in all rock & pop, inherited from 20's jazz. This sequence is utilized to teach bass, and has been widely played by hundreds of bands, in different octaves and variations. examples of it are:

BabyShambles - Fuck Forever

Clan Of Xymox - Michelle

The Offspring - Self Esteem

Music

The title and spirit of the song was taken from some albums Gustavo Cerati's parents had, which were named named "Light Classics of all Times"

The idea was to create instrumentation like that, very classical, of a band, and at the same time that had a light spirit. (Gustavo Cerati)^[2]

Like the lyrics, the music is deceptive: simple and complex simultaneously. The whole song is built from the riff and supported by the sequence carried out by the guitar. Four chords (Bm, G, D, A), emphasize the progression from G to D, where the power of the song is concentrated. The complexity of the harmony stems from the fact that the drop from D to G occurs in the middle of each verse and not the beginning or end as the effect could suggest at first glance. And it is exactly this lack of coordination between the singing and harmony which gives rise to the irresistible attraction that has become one of most successful songs in the history of Latin rock.

Cerati has said that:

"De música ligera" is one of the most instant hits that I did with Soda Stereo.

Charly remembered that:

We recorded it in a single try, in a studio in Miami. This is unusual, because usually it's done like fifteen times to record. After, we recorded two additional versions, to try out different things, but they didn't stick. The version that is heard on the album is the first take we did.^[2]

Music Video

The music video was directed by Alfredo Lois and shows the band performing the song. He adopted a colorful and intentionally amateur style with background of flowers and colors that reminds one of "Hippies". See it here.

Related Circumstances

• The song was the first release from the album Canción Animal (Animal Song) and made the group famous in Spain, thus completing its presence in the Latin world.

• In the farewell concert (1997), De música ligera was the last song. Gustavo Cerati announced it with the following words, «tengo una buena canción para cantar» (I have a good song to sing) and he closed with the now mythical expression, «Gracias Totales» (total thanks).

• In Brazil, the song was covered by the Os Paralamas do Sucesso, with the title De Música Ligeira on the album "9 Luas" (1996), and by the group Capital Inicial, with the title À Sua Maneira (version: Dinho Ouro Preto).

Versions

• The version performed in «El Último Concierto» (The Farewell Concert), on the stage of River Plate, on September 20, 1997, can be considered one of the most emotional moments of the band, and one of the most glorious moments of Latin American Rock. The song, sung as a duet with the audience, immediately expressed the shared feelings between the band and its fans of the pain of farewell. This sentiment reached its climax when Cerati held a long «nada más quedaaaaaa» (nothing else stays). The song ended with an improvisation between the three musicians, and the famous phrase «Gracias Totales» (Total Thanks). Then, with a final and classic G to D progression, the very existence of Soda Stereo itself was ended. See it here.

• It was also performed several times in the concerts of the tour, "Me Verás Volver" (You will see me return) and was even included in the album.

References

1. ^ http://www.zonadepromesasweb.com.ar/foro/soda_stereo/musica_ligera_como_se_compuso-t9491/ Gustavo Cerati - De Música Ligera
2. ^ ^{a b} Soda Stereo y Gustavo Cerati entre los 100 Hits del Rock Argentino. Las canciones que hicieron historia, contadas por sus protagonistas, Zona de promesas

External links

• Official music video.
• Performed at the farewell concert.