Desde La Calle 33

Ricardo Arjona's song 'Desde La Calle 33' is a nostalgic and vivid recounting of his upbringing in a humble neighborhood. The lyrics paint a picture of a young boy growing up in a place where life was simple yet filled with diverse characters and experiences. The opening lines describe his modest beginnings, living next to a bakery and finding joy in the simplest of things, like the meow of a cat. This sets the tone for a story of resilience and creativity born out of a challenging environment.

The song delves into the various elements that shaped Arjona's early life. The '33' street is depicted as a microcosm of society, with its mix of stressed men, widows, transvestites, and eccentrics. Despite the grayness of this world, the young Arjona found color and happiness in his dreams and aspirations. His early ambitions were modest, like wanting to be a firefighter, but they were genuine and heartfelt. The mention of school introduces a turning point, where he faced his first disappointments but also discovered the power of reading, which opened up new worlds for him.

As the song progresses, Arjona reflects on his teenage years, marked by typical rites of passage like trying beer and cigarettes. However, while his friends turned to drugs, he found solace and purpose in music. His guitar became his identity and his guide, leading him away from the aimlessness that surrounded him. The repeated refrain 'Desde la calle 33' emphasizes the significance of his roots and how they shaped his journey from a boy with simple dreams to a successful artist. The song is a tribute to the transformative power of art and the importance of staying true to one's origins, no matter where life leads.