El Estuche (The Case) 1998 – Aterciopelados

It is not a commandment to be the diva of the moment (wow)
Why work for a sculptural body?
Do you want to feel all eyes on you?
And trigger whistles when passing?

Look at the essence, not the appearances…
Look at the essence, not the appearances…
The body is just a case and the eyes are the window
Of our soul imprisoned

(Oh! but) look at the essence, not the appearances…
Look at the essence, not the appearances…
90-60-90, adds up to two hundred and forty
Figures that should not be taken into account
—- (A crude English translation of the first 2 verses and 5th of El Estuche – ‘The Case’)

El Estuche (The Case) is the second song to feature here from Aterciopelados (The Velvet Ones) after their first entry Bolero Falaz which topped the 1000 most important songs of Colombian rock. Their music fuses rock with a variety of Colombian and Latin American musical traditions. Since the 1990’s they have soaked the radio waves in not just their home country Colombia, but México, España, Venezuela, Argentina and Chile. Aterciopelados have always held a special place in my heart because they are from my adopted home city – Bogotá.

A blogger friend Manuel from Venezuela wrote the following about Aterciopelados:

Without a doubt, Los Aterciopelados marked the beginning of rock in Latin America with their own style and worldwide recognition. They were regular visitors to Venezuela because of the proximity and since their songs were popular. Andrea, the singer also had success as a solo artist, winning Grammys on several occasions.

El Estuche (The Case) comes from Colombian rock duo’s fourth studio album Caribe Atómico released in 1998. It was nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Performance in 1999.

In 2001, Aterciopelados was recognized by the writers of Time magazine as one of the top 10 contemporary global bands (outside of the United States), which included U2 and the Rolling Stones. In 2006, the magazine wrote that “Aterciopelados’s true skill lies in its ability to take north-of-the-border musical styles … and breathe new life into them, all while giving them a distinctly Colombian sheen.”

Jessica Duque commented about El Estuche (The Case):

I love this song, I am a person with a disability, and I always represent myself in this song, look at the essence not the appearances, I am a woman with a lot of courage.