Volví a Nacer (2012) – Carlos Vives

Volví A Nacer (Eng: I Was Born Again) is a song by the Colombian recording artist Carlos Vives. It is a romantic song with strong elements of Colombian vallenato and pop music. I remember it saturating the Colombian airwaves when it came out and being completely taken by it. Even today, I still love hearing it whenever it comes on.

Vallenato originated in Colombia’s Caribbean region and literally means “born in the valley”. The name is linked to the people of Valledupar, the city most associated with the genre, whose name comes from Valle de Upar (“Valley of Upar”).

It is traditionally performed by a trio featuring the diatonic button accordion (melody), the caja vallenata (a small single-headed drum providing rhythm), and the guacharaca (a ribbed scraper).

Volví A Nacer is one of my desert island Colombian vallenato songs, along with the classic Los Caminos de la Vida (Eng: The Paths of Life). They may share the same genre, but their themes are worlds apart.

Los Caminos de la Vida is a more traditional style of vallenato and deals with the hardships of life, including poverty and the absence of a father figure.

Today’s featured track, Volví A Nacer, was inspired by and dedicated to Carlos’ third and current wife and former Miss Colombia, Claudia Elena Vásquez. Through her love, he feels capable of doing anything for her – whether it is “not snoring in the mornings”, “being her chauffeur”, or even “climbing the Himalayas”. Essentially, through her love he feels reborn after a turbulent past.

My favourite part of the song is the high-spirited and inspiring chorus. You do not get much more fantastically romantic and direct than this: I want to / Marry you / Stay by your side / Be blessed with your love.

The song was the lead single from Carlos’ 13th studio album, Corazón Profundo, and it became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 in Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. It also won Song of the Year and Best Tropical Song at the Latin Grammys.

The music video was filmed in Tlacotalpan, a historic Spanish colonial river port founded in the mid-16th century on the banks of the Papaloapan River in Veracruz, Mexico

I hope that despite the language barrier for most of you (English subtitles below), you will enjoy Volví A Nacer.

[Verse 1]
Puedo no roncar por las mañana / I can not snore in the mornings
Puedo trabajar de sol a sol / I can work from sunup to sundown
Puedo subirme hasta el Himalaya / I can climb to the Himalayas
O batirme con mi espada / Or fight with my sword
Para no perder tu amor / So I don’t lose your love

[Pre-Chorus]
Puedo ser, tu fiel, chofer, mujer / I can be your faithful one, chauffeur, woman
Todo lo que te imaginas puedo ser / Everything you can imagine, I can be
Y es que por tu amor volví a nacer / Because for your love I was reborn
Tu fuiste la respiración / You were my breath
Y era tan grande la ilusión / And the hope was so great
Pero si te vas que voy a hacer / But if you leave, what will I do?
Planchar de nuevo el corazón / Iron my heart again
Se pone triste esta canción / This song gets sad

[Chorus]
Quiero / I want to
Casarme contigo / Marry you
Quedarme a tu lado / Stay by your side
Ser el bendecido con tu amor / Be blessed with your love
Por eso yo quiero / That’s why I want to
Dejar mi pasado / Leave my past behind
Que vengas conmigo / Come with me
Morir en tus brazos dulce amor / Die in your arms, sweet love
Por eso yo quiero / That’s why I want to

[Verse 2]
Puedo boxear en las olimpiadas / I can box in the Olympics
Puedo mendigar por tu perdón / I can beg for your forgiveness
Puedo mudarme a la Castellana / I can move to La Castellana
Agua fría por las mañanas / Cold water in the mornings
Y alinear en el Unión / And play for Unión

[Pre-Chorus]

[Chorus]

[Outro]
Puedo boxear en las olimpiadas / I can box in the Olympics
Puedo trabajar de sol a sol / I can work from sunup to sundown
Puedo tantas cosas en mi vida / I can do so many things in my life.
Por tu amor / Because of your love.

References:
1. Volví a Nacer – Wikipedia