“Nica Libres at Dusk” by Ben Howard
To begin with, it should be noted that Ben Howard, one of the foremost lyricists in terms of using high-end metaphors, has stated that “Nica Libres at Dusk” is “quite an open-ended song”. This means trying to derive a definitive meaning from certain sections of this track may instead obscure its intended purpose of being interpretable from different perspectives.
What is the meaning of “Nica Libres”?
However, amidst all this ambiguity and poetic language, there is also a central theme to the song. The titular “Nica Libres” refers to a cigar brand from the Central American nation of Nicaragua. And as the title suggests, this song is centered on the person who its subject (which at some points is the singer) is enjoying these treats at dusk.
Indeed later Ben states that he “order(s) a colada”. And combined with the fact that Nicaragua is also referenced, the general feel is that he is actually in the Caribbean (with coladas also being native to that region). Indeed the song is centered on spending a considerable amount of time just chillin’, “watch(ing) eagles soar in circles”. This once again implies it is set in a natural (i.e. non-urban) setting.
But the fact is either he or the lady who is enjoying the Nica Libres may not physically be in the Caribbean or Central America. Rather they may be imagining themselves to be there. And that brings us to the actual theme of this song, which Howard has described as “sort of an invitation to dream”.
In other words, the premise of the track is actually its subjects actually going through some sort of harrowing situation. And they use their imaginations – if you will – to overcome this experience. This is not meant to read as if they never take any type of definitive action. Maybe they actually have left their homes and settled in tropical environments. But of course doing so would have had its genesis as an idea. And such ideas are seemingly what this song is designed to instigate. This does not mean that Ben Howard is actually encouraging people to go to the Caribbean or leave the city (though he is a big fan of nature). Rather it is meant to serve as an invitation to challenge them to actually imagine experiences so edifying.
Release Date
Island Records released “Nica Libres at Dusk” on 26 April 2018. On that same day, the song debuted on Annie Mac’s Hottest Record via BBC Radio 1. “Nica Libres at Dusk” came out as the third single from Howard’s 2018 album, Noonday Dream (which is the third studio album of his career).
Who wrote “Nica Libres at Dusk”?
Ben Howard often writes songs alone, but he had help with this one in the form of the following writers:
- Richie Thomas
- Nat Wason
- Kyle Keegan
- India Bourne
- Mickey Smith
According to Howard, a good part of this song was composed “in the south of France”.
FYI, the song’s co-writer Smith also co-produced it alongside Howard.
What Ben Howard has said about “Nica Libres at Dusk”
Speaking with BBC in 2018, Howard shed light on this track. And below are his exact words regarding this song:
No, there are no Nica Libre cigars. In fact, the term “Nica libre” comes from a drink: Ron (Flor de Caña) + Coca-Cola … That’s a Nica Libre … as an appropriation of the term Cuba Libre (Bacardi Rum with Coca-Cola ).
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PD: I´m from Nicaragua and I love Ben Howard.
There is 100% a Nica Libre cigar lol, I own a few in my humidor
There is a cigar brand of this but pretty sure song is referring to the Cuban drink which is why he states ‘comewhere she is dreaming, of Caribbean nica libres’
She’s reading the ‘evacuation procedures’ out loud, which to me sounds as if she is trying to leave him….
Deffenatly agree with Rob here regarding a girl leaving him.
I think the song starts with a reference to gum disease “door is locked my gums are bleeding”. Hence caused by the cigarettes and cegars referenced. “Ten malbro ciggarettes”
Sounds like he is in a unhealthy relationship to me and the song is about her dreaming of leaving him to live in the Caribbean.
He also seems to reference society, something he does often in other songs. “While the faithful, dispose of a generation”. Which I’ll keep my interpretations to myself about haha.
That’s what I have to say. 🙂