music.wikisort.org - Composition

"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.[1][2][3]

"El Costo de la Vida"
Single by Juan Luis Guerra
from the album Areito
B-side	"Ojala Que Llueva Cafe"
Released	December 8, 1992
Recorded	1992
Genre	Merengue
Length	4:10
Label	Karem
Songwriter(s)	Juan Luis Guerra
Juan Luis Guerra singles chronology
"Señales de Humo" (1992) "El Costo de la Vida" (1992) "Mal de Amor" (1993)

"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.[4][5] Also the first merengue number to top that chart. The track also hit major markets in Latin America including Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.[6] 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.[7][8] The video won Best Music Video at 1993's Soberano Awards.[9] The track was included on Guerra's greatest hits album Grandes Éxitos 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.[10]

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."[11]

Track listing

1. El Costo De La Vida – 4:09[12]
2. Ojala Que LLueva Cafe – 4:10
3. Burbujas de Amor – 4:13

Charts

Chart (1993)	Peak position
Chile (IFPI)[13]	7
Peru (UPI)[14]	10
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[4]	1
Venezuela (UPI)[14]	2

References

На других языках

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- [en] El Costo de la Vida

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[es] El Costo de la Vida (Canción)

"El costo de la vida" es es título de una canción interpretada por el cantautor y músico dominicano Juan Luis Guerra lanzada como el tercer sencillo de su sexto álbum de estudio Areito (1992). El tema cuenta con la colaboración del famoso músico congoleño Diblo Dibala en la guitarra y es una versión en español de su propia canción soukous "Kimia Eve". La letra de la canción hace referencia a la pobreza, la corrupción y los bajos estándares de vida en América Latina. Además, hace referencias sobre las malas condiciones en muchos países latinoamericanos, la celebración del 5°to centenario del 'descubrimiento' de América y la doble moral de las naciones del primer mundo. El video musical fue prohibido en varios países por ser gráfico y generó cierta controversia debido a que muchos consideraron que la letra de la canción tenía tendencias anticapitalistas.[1][2][3]

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