Una Canción (1998) – Los de Adentro

It’s a nice change to finally bring you some Colombian music today. Los de Adentro (Eng: Those Inside) is a Colombian Latin pop rock band formed in Barranquilla, on the Caribbean coast, in 1994. They first became known here in Bogotá, playing in bars while still students at the Piloto University of Colombia.

Today’s song begins as if it’s not about a girl – no heartbreak, no loss, no excess, no grand themes of life and death. Instead, “Una Canción” (Eng: One Song) opens as a sweet tribute to music itself – how certain songs touch the heart and soul, awaken passion, and remain unforgettable.

But of course, love finds a way in. Ouch! The singer ends up dedicating the very song to someone special. By the latter part, he’s at a bar, listening to a band, a little worn down and realising that person will never return. ‘Unrequited love’ – now that’s a real bummer, man.

“Una Canción” is a lovely, reflective ballad that hooked me on first listen. It carries a sweet melody, warm acoustic tones, and nice classical guitar work. There’s also a bit of grit beneath it all, delivered through that deep, sincere vocal.

The track was released on the group’s debut album and quickly became their breakthrough hit – the song they’re still best known for. Within a few months of promoting “Una Canción,” they were already touring. Los de Adentro have since released several albums and remain active to this day.

[Versoe 1]
Hay unas que llegan al alma / There are some that touch the soul
Que te hacen mover las palmas / That make you clap your hands
Otras que llegan al corazón, oh-oh-oh / Others touch the heart, oh-oh-oh
Hay unas que se necesitan / Some songs are needed
Otras que nunca se olvidan / Others are never forgotten
Que te hacen despertar pasión, oh-oh-oh / That awaken passion, oh-oh-oh

[Chorus]
Oyendo una canción / Listening to a song
Para ti, para mí / For you, for me
Y que nos llegue al pensamiento / And may it reach our thoughts
Para vivir y expresar todo lo que yo siento / To live and express all that I feel
Quiero tenerte / I want to have you
Te dedico esta canción / I dedicate this song to you

[Verso 2]
Todo comenzó con un vaso / It all started with a glass
Un trago caro y escaso / An expensive and rare drink
Que me subía la desolación, oh-oh-oh / That brought on my desolation, oh-oh-oh
Oyendo al grupo del bar / Listening to the band at the bar
Tocar mi favorita / Playing my favorite
Se me subió la desesperación, oh-oh-oh / Despair rose within me, oh-oh-oh

[Chorus]

[Puente]
Perdiendo el tiempo / Wasting time
Pensando en ti / Thinking of you
Yo sé que nunca vas a regresar a mí / I know you’ll never come back to me

References:
1. Los de Adentro – Wikipedia