How can you not love Manu Chao?... I wonder 馃檭 His songs are very powerful, Manu himself being a ''Clandestino'' in many ways. Being French with Spanish resonances from his parents and mixing many languages in his songs, makes him a unique interesting artist.
What I love more about Manu Chao is the vibe in his songs. They make you feel free one way or another. Even ''Mala Vida'' becomes a happy turn by using a jovial agitated vibe in his songs.
''El Clandestino'' addresses the subject of immigration, referring mostly to those who come from impoverished countries outside the European border, a part of those seen on the street being Clandestino [illegal].
The approach of Manu Chao is an empathic one, which resonates with a lot of immigrants and not only immigrants but also with those that feel in some way strangers on the land they are currently staying on.
The lyrics are just brilliant:
Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr茅 mi destino
Para burlar la ley
Perdido en el coraz贸n
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen El Clandestino
Por no llevar papel
Pa' una ciudad del norte
Yo me fui a trabajar
Mi vida la dej茅
Entre Ceuta y Gibraltar
Soy una raya en el mar
Fantasma en la ciudad
Mi vida va prohibida
Dice la autoridad
Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr茅 mi destino
Por no llevar papel
Perdido en el coraz贸n
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen El Clandestino
Yo soy el quiebra ley
Mano negra clandestina
Peruano clandestino
Africano clandestino
Marihuana ilegal
Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr茅 mi destino
Para burlar la ley
Perdido en el coraz贸n
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen El Clandestino
Por no llevar papel
Argelino clandestino
Nigeriano clandestino
Boliviano clandestino
Mano negra ilegal
So, I send a warm hug to those who are living the hard way and I think that this song of Manu Chao has definitely made it easier for those feeling ''Clandestino''.