A tapar la calle

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a stark dichotomy between two visions for the street, one of exclusion and control, the other of open invitation and vibrant life. The command to "A tapar la calle" (to block the street) is associated with figures who embody a rigid, perhaps authoritarian, presence: dressed in black, carrying a gun, speaking of war, and consuming Coca-Cola. This imagery suggests a sterile, imposed order that stifles individuality and genuine human connection, prioritizing conformity over authentic expression. The opposing call, "A abrir la calle" (to open the street), paints a picture of uninhibited, colorful existence. It welcomes those who "vista de flores" (dress in flowers), speak to themselves, and paint on walls, alongside the elderly playing marbles and children exchanging coins. This vision celebrates spontaneity, creativity, and the simple, unpretentious joys of everyday life, contrasting sharply with the guarded, militaristic tone of the street being blocked. The writing masterfully employs repetition and contrasting imagery to build this tension. The repeated phrases "A tapar la calle" and "A abrir la calle" act as refrains, hammering home the central conflict. The specific details—a gun versus flowers, Coca-Cola versus aguardiente, those who "have won and legislated" versus the "mal peinados" (badly groomed)—create vivid mental pictures that underscore the ideological divide. The lyrics suggest a desire to reclaim public space from a controlling, possibly corrupt, elite and open it up to a more diverse, expressive, and perhaps even chaotic, populace. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their direct, almost manifesto-like, calls to action. They don't just describe a situation; they demand a choice between two fundamentally different ways of inhabiting and experiencing public space. The final lines, a cascade of verbs like "vivir," "soñar," "cambiar," and "tomar" la calle, powerfully articulate a yearning for a street that is not just a thoroughfare but a living, breathing entity, a space for collective experience and transformation.