Ojos Así by Shakira Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Mystique Behind the Melody
Lyrics
Y un hombre sin suelo
Un santo en prisión
Y una canción triste sin dueño
Ya he, ya he, ya la he
Y conocí tus ojos negros
Ya he ya he ya la he
Y ahora sí que no
Puedo vivir sin ellos yo
Le pido al cielo solo un deseo
Que en tus ojos yo pueda vivir
He recorrido ya el mundo entero
Y una cosa te vengo a decir
Viajé de Bahréin hasta Beirut
Fui desde el Norte hasta el polo sur
No encontré ojos así
Como los que tienes tú
Rabboussamai fikarrajaii
Fi ainaiha aralhayati
Ati ilaika min haza lkaaouni
Arjouka labbi labbi nidai
Viajé de Bahrein hasta Beirut
Fui desde el Norte hasta el polo sur
No encontré ojos así
Como los que tienes tú
Ayer vi pasar una mujer
Debajo de su camello
Un río de sal
Y un barco abandonado en el desierto
Ya he, ya he, ya la he
Y vi pasar tus ojos negros
Ya he, ya he, ya la he
Y ahora sí que no
Puedo vivir sin ellos yo
Le pido al cielo solo un deseo
Que en tus ojos yo pueda vivir
He recorrido ya el mundo entero
Y una cosa te vengo a decir
Viajé de Bahrein hasta Beirut
Fui desde el Norte hasta el polo sur
No encontré ojos así
Como los que tienes tú
Rabboussamai fikarrajaii
Fi ainaiha aralhayati
Ati ilaika min haza lkaaouni
Arjouka labbi labbi nidai
Viajé de Bahréin hasta Beirut
Fui desde el Norte hasta el polo sur
No encontré ojos así
Como los que tienes tú
Rabboussamai fikarrajaii
Fi ainaiha aralhayati
Ati ilaika min haza lkaaouni
Arjouka labbi labbi nidai
Viajé de Bahréin hasta Beirut
Fui desde el Norte hasta el polo sur
No encontré ojos así
Como los que tienes tú
Le pido al cielo solo un deseo
Que en tus ojos yo pueda vivir
He recorrido ya el mundo entero
Y una cosa te vengo a decir
Viajé de Bahréin hasta Beirut
Fui desde el Norte hasta el polo sur
No encontré ojos así
Como los que tienes tú
Within the realms of music, occasionally a song not only grabs our ears but also embarks us on a cultural odyssey, embodying the mystical allure of diverse traditions. ‘Ojos Así’ by Shakira, a vibrant tapestry of Middle Eastern motifs and Latin spirit, might ostensibly be an enchanting love ballad dedicated to the profound impact of someone’s eyes. But, on delving deeper, the track emerges as a confluence of the artist’s soulful yearning for a transcendent connection that is both personal and universal.
‘Ojos Así’ is the epitome of Shakira’s dexterity at weaving languages and rhythms into a single narrative that transcends borders. The melody is rich with hypnotic beats and belly dance rhythms, which, when coupled with the potent lyrics, invite listeners into an intimate trance, the song’s verses serving as a bridge between the mundane and the mystical.
The Quest for an Incomparable Gaze
Shakira’s journey in ‘Ojos Así’ takes her from Bahrain to Beirut, crossing the most extreme latitude from the North to the South Pole. This vast voyage is allegorical, portraying an endless search across the globe for something incomparable and sublime – a pair of eyes unlike any other. Those eyes become a metaphor for an elusive ideal, an embodiment of beauty and depth that one desires but rarely encounters.
It’s not just about physical appearance; the song expresses an earnest longing to inhabit the soul behind the gaze, creating a profound narrative of intimacy and identification. It suggests that Shakira doesn’t just admire these eyes but sees in them a home — a sanctuary where she can truly live and be herself.
An Odyssey Across Cultures and Sounds
The rhythmic heartbeat of ‘Ojos Así’ is steeped in a fusion of Arabic elements and Latin flair. Shakira seamlessly blends Spanish verses with Arabic phrases like ‘Rabboussamai fikarrajaii’ and ‘Arjouka labbi labbi nidai.’ These linguistic crossovers do more than showcase her vocal prowess; they bridge her Colombian roots with a wider, more ancient cultural resonance. The song becomes an anthem of unity and diversity, a dance onto itself that transcends any singular identity.
The Arabic verses, roughly translating as a call towards the heavens and a sighting of life in someone’s eyes, heighten the song’s theme of seeking and eventually finding that which gives life a new, vivid hue. Her vocal stylings are not merely an artistic choice but a deeper invocation of universal longing.
Between the Profane and the Sacred
Shakira doesn’t constrain her narrative to the secular world. She references a ‘santo en prisión’ (saint in prison) and a ‘canción triste sin dueño’ (sad song without an owner), invoking images of entrapment and loneliness. These lines suggest a spiritual quest for freedom and belonging that transcend the material and touch the divine.
The dichotomy of a heaven without the sun, or a boat abandoned in the desert, cements this exclusion from the expected norms. The song is thus a lament for transcendence — a requiem for parts of the self, locked away from the world, and a call for a form of unconditional acceptance found only in the most profound connections.
The Lyrical Labyrinth of Passion and Yearning
What makes ‘Ojos Así’ memorable is not just its harmonious blend of sound but also the labyrinthine layers of its lyrics. Each verse flows into the next, enriched with a passion that transcends language barriers. The chorus doesn’t just express a wish to the heavens; it is a testament to the intensity of the artist’s yearning. It’s a fervent prayer to be allowed to live within the gaze of these unique eyes — an act that borders on the spiritual.
The repetition of ‘Ya he, ya he, ya la he’ serves as a hypnotic incantation that underscores the obsessive nature of Shakira’s quest. In these eyes, she seeks respite and salvation — a refuge that no other earthly beauty has afforded her. It’s a universal chase for the ultimate connection that resonates with every listener.
Decoding the Mystical Riddle
Beneath the vivid storytelling and the dynamic rhythms of ‘Ojos Así,’ lies a hidden meaning that has sparked intrigue and contemplation. The eyes, as described in the song, are portals, gateways to a soulful understanding that crosses the earthly plane. Shakira’s recurring pilgrimage in search of these eyes symbolizes the eternal human quest for meaning and connection.
Her journey through lands high and low, and the invocation of the heavens, symbolizes the interconnectedness of love, life, and the spiritual journey. In recognizing the beauty of another’s gaze, she’s recognizing an essential truth about our shared humanity. ‘Ojos Así’ encases this search for the divine within us and the power of the human connection that can elevate us towards a loftier state of being.
