Piratas

Los Tres, a renowned Chilean rock band, delve into the complexities and ironies of the music industry with their song 'Piratas.' The lyrics are a sharp critique of the industry's practices, particularly focusing on the concept of piracy and the distribution of profits. The repetitive refrain 'No piratear, prohibido por los piratas' (Don't pirate, forbidden by the pirates) sets the tone for the song, highlighting the paradox of the industry's stance on piracy. The term 'pirates' is used ironically to describe the very entities that condemn piracy while engaging in exploitative practices themselves.

The song's verses further emphasize this irony by detailing how the industry benefits from the work of artists. Phrases like 'Grabar, ganando ellos' (Record, they win) and 'Ayudar, ganando ellos' (Help, they win) underscore the one-sided nature of these transactions. The artists' efforts are depicted as primarily benefiting the industry executives, leaving the creators with a meager share of the profits. This is starkly illustrated in the lines 'Noventa para mí, cinco para ti' (Ninety for me, five for you), which criticize the disproportionate distribution of earnings between the industry and the artists.

Los Tres also name-drop major record labels like CBS, Alerce, and EMI, pointing fingers at the corporate giants that dominate the music scene. By doing so, they bring attention to the systemic issues within the industry, where the power dynamics heavily favor the corporations over the individual artists. The repeated chant of 'Piratas' at the end of the song serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing exploitation and the need for change. Through 'Piratas,' Los Tres not only critique the music industry's practices but also call for a more equitable system that fairly compensates artists for their work.