A Vietnamese monk once said that “no generation should be the same as the previous one“.
Of course, there are many interpretations of this phrase, but its essence is the evolution of each generation.
Obviously, the real meaning of the phrase is, that you should …
Build on the conquests of our fathers and not to be comfortable in them.
To correct the mistakes of previous generations and not to tear down every idea.
This is how “Arde la Kalle” was created, the third song of the fourth album of the Spanish ska punk Oferta Especial.
It is a creation of the new member of the band, singer, and trombonist Diego Rodriguez.
Melodically follows the classic ska-punk paths, with the tooter alternating with the electric guitars.
Lyrically, it is a protest song.
The lyrics
Although it talks about Spain, it could concern any country in crisis.
Their main meaning includes a hot comment that we are voting for governments, which do not govern their citizens but oppress them.
Especially in Spain, as Diego says, our fathers fought for the current rights of ordinary citizens.
As for their grandparents, their struggle became movies, songs, books, and even one of the most famous paintings.
Today’s generation has lost all these rights, because quite simply, it does not fight for them, considering them obviously self-evident and/or unnecessary.
The word “Fuego” is repeated, so often that it could even give the title to “Arde la Kalle“.
What the singer narrates is the prompting given by the lyrics to “set fire to the streets“, in the metaphorical sense of the phrase.
But even our own souls catch fire, in the form of awakening of consciousness.
Violence is not what the lyrics mean.
Sometimes, however, it is necessary to use it when it comes to defending our own lives and the idea of justice.
The main message of “Arde la Kalle” is for everyone to go out on the streets and claim what belongs to them
In fact, there’s only one thing … Life!
The title of the song …
The inspiration for the title of the song, which means “set fire to the streets“, comes from a radio station in Madrid.
The radio in 2004 released a tribute album to an 80s Pop-Rock band, Radio Futura.
Various musicians performed songs by the band and the collection was called “Arde la Calle. A Tribute to Radio Futura”.
Oferta Especial the only thing they did was to replace “C” in Calle with “K“. The reason; But of course, to be more punK.
Life is like a bicycle: You only balance through movement.
There is nothing self-evident in it unless justice is your main guide (in life).
Essentially, resting on the conquests of ancestors, takes us out of the trajectory of balance and evolution, consequently.
If you stop fighting for justice, justice will soon abandon our daily lives.