Flamenco lyrics
Flamenco dancing in the singing cafés.
March 17, 2022
Curro Albaicín: Flamenco Icon of Granada
August 25, 2022Flamenco lyrics are very varied and cover a wide range of emotions.
Flamenco is culture and tradition. Therefore, in addition to dance, guitar or singing, flamenco lyrics are a means of expression and transmission of feelings and emotions ranging from joy to death, through love or sadness, among others.
One of the most recurring questions among our foreign and, many times, national audiences is: what do the lyrics in flamenco talk about? What stories are behind the songs of our singers?
To answer this question it is necessary to begin by talking about the 'Palos del flamenco'. These different musical styles are associated with an emotional, sensitive and interpretative intention that will mark the character and content of the verses of the songs. In addition, we must take into account the popular inspiration, the oral tradition of flamenco since its beginnings, and the contribution of writers such as Federico García Lorca to the lyrics of flamenco singing..
"Shaken Andalusian accent, double entendre, Andalusian picaresque and flamenco forms of expression are ingredients that add to the verses, which are shortened or lengthened to match the beats."
There are palos that reflect joy and revelry, the so-called 'palos festeros', such as 'tangos' or 'bulerías'. In these cases, the lyrics usually deal with banal or everyday situations, especially when they are dance lyrics.
The fandangos, usually leave the outcome of the situation that the lyrics are about for the last part, thus maintaining the intrigue of the spectators at all times.
On the other hand, we find tragic palos, which speak of death and abandonment, such as the 'soleá', the 'seguiriya' or the 'taranto'.
The Andalusian accent, the double meaning, the Andalusian picaresque and the flamenco forms of expression are ingredients that add to the verses, which are shortened or lengthened to coincide with the beats. Hence, sometimes even Spanish speakers are not able to fully understand the meaning of flamenco lyrics.
On the other hand, it is necessary to know that in a dance or in a singing recital, the lyrics are not related to each other. Each one of them is a world, represents a different fact and the cantaor jumps from one lyric to another in a capricious way.
Come to Casa Ana, listen to the lyrics and enjoy live flamenco as you have never experienced it before.
