Home | Songs By Year | Songs from 1992
El Costo de la Vida
Buy El Costo de la Vida now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the song. And once you've experienced the song, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
"'El Costo de la Vida'" ("The cost of life") is a song by Dominican Republic singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra released as the third single from his sixth studio album 'Areito' (1992). The track is collaborated by the famous Congolese musician Diblo Dibala on guitar and is a Spanish cover of his own soukous song "Kimia Eve". The lyrics to the song make references to the poverty, corruption and low-life standards in Latin America. Also, lyrics about poor conditions in many Latin American countries, the celebration of the 'discovery' of America and the double standards of first-world nations. The music video was banned in several countries for been to graphic and sparked some controversy due to many considered the lyrics contained on the song had anti-capitalist tendencies.
"El Costo de la Vida" is one of Guerra's biggest hits and was his first number-one song on the 'Billboard' Hot Latin Songs chart. Also the first merengue number to top that chart. The track also hit major markets in Latin America including Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Also, the track met critical acclaim by the critics and won Tropical/Salsa Song of the Year at 5th Annual Lo Nuestro Awards. The music video was nominated for Video of the Year on the MTV International Awards and Video of the Year at 5th Annual Lo Nuestro Awards. The video won Best Music Video at 1993's Soberano Awards. The track was included on Guerra's greatest hits album 'Grandes xitos Juan Luis Guerra y 440.'
Critical reception
Despite the controversy around the music video and the lyrics, the track receive critical acclaim by the critics. "Jason Birchmeier" from Allmusic on his review Guerra's Areito album, stated that "El Costo de la Vida," the album's biggest hit and his first to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, is a witty song with a sharp socio-political edge unlike anything Guerra had written to date, let alone released as a single.
In other hand, Enrique Lopetegui from Los Angeles Times praised the track lyrics and wrote "El costo de la vida, contains a strong political/humanitarian message."
Track listing
# El Costo De La Vida 4:09
# Ojala Que LLueva Cafe 4:10
# Burbujas de Amor 4:13
Charts
References
Category:1992 singles
Category:1992 songs
Category:Juan Luis Guerra songs
Category:Songs written by Juan Luis Guerra
Category:Songs about poverty
Buy El Costo de la Vida now from Amazon
<-- Return to songs from 1992