Pedro Navaja

Rubén Blades, Willie Colón

About Pedro Navaja

Pedro Navaja (English: Peter Blade) is a salsa song written and performed by Rubén Blades from the 1978 collaboration with Willie Colón, Siembra, about a criminal of the same name. "Navaja" means knife or (razor) blade (hence an analogy to Blades' surname) in Spanish. Inspired by the song Mack the Knife, it tells the story of a panderer's life and presumed death. The song is recognized throughout Hispanic America, as it retells scenes and stories common to these countries, although the story takes place in New York City. The song deals with life, death and the unexpected with dark humor. A film titled Pedro Navaja based on the song was filmed in Mexico in 1984, starring Andrés García as the title character, Maribel Guardia as his girlfriend, and Resortes as his best friend. It was made without Blades's input and he responded by recording the song "Sorpresas" (Surprises), which continues the story, turning the movie plot by revealing that Navaja was alive and had killed another panderer while he was being searched by the panderer, provided that the other panderer believed Navaja was dead. The 1984 film had a 1986 sequel, El Hijo de Pedro Navaja (The Son of Pedro Navaja) starring Guillermo Capetillo. The story is believed to take place in the New York neighborhood of Queens. 


Year:
1978
7:25
34 
#4

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Por la esquina del viejo barrio lo vi pasar
Con el tumbao' que tienen los guapos al caminar
Las manos siempre en los bolsillos de su gabán
Pa' que no sepan en cuál de ellas lleva el puñal

Usa un sombrero de ala ancha de medio lao
Y zapatillas por si hay problemas salir volao'
Lentes oscuros pa' que no sepan qué está mirando
Y un diente de oro que cuando rie se ve brillando

Como a tres cuadras de aquella esquina una mujer
Va recorriendo la acera entera por quinta vez
Y en un zaguán entra y se da un trago para olvidar
Que el día está flojo y no hay clientes pa' trabajar

Un carro pasa muy despacito por la avenida
No tiene marcas pero toos' saben ques' policia uhm
Pedro Navaja las manos siempre dentro el gabán
Mira y sonríe y el diente de oro vuelve a brillar

Mientras camina pasa la vista de esquina a esquina
No se ve un alma está desierta toa' la avenida
Cuando de pronto esa mujer sale del zaguán
Y Pedro Navaja aprieta un puño dentro 'el gabán

Mira pa' un lado mira pal' otro y no ve a nadie
Y a la carrera pero sin ruido cruza la calle
Y mientras tanto en la otra acera va esa mujer
Refunfuñando pues no hizo pesos con qué comer

Mientras camina del viejo abrigo saca un revolver, esa mujer
Iba a guardarlo en su cartera pa' que no estorbe
Un treinta y ocho esmithanhueson del especial
Que carga encima pa' que la libre de todo mal

Y Pedro Navaja puñal en mano le fue pa' encima
El diente de oro iba alumbrando
Toa' la avenida, se le hizo facil
Mientras reia el puñal le hundía sin compasión
Cuando de pronto sonó un disparo como un cañon

Y Pedro Navaja cayó en la acera mientras veía, a esa mujer
Que revolver en mano y de muerte herida ahí le decía
Yo que pensaba hoy no es mi día estoy salá
Pero pedro navaja tu estas peor, no estas en na

Y creanme gente que aunque hubo ruido nadien salió
No hubo curiosos, no hubo preguntas nadie lloró
Sólo un borracho con los dos cuerpos se tropezo
Cojio el revolver, el puñal, los pesos y se marchó
Y tropezando se fue cantando desafinao'
El coro que aqui les traje y da el mensaje de mi cancion

La vida te da sorpresas. sorpresas te da la vida ay dios
Pedró Navajas matón de esquina
Quien a hierro mata, a hierro termina

La vida te da sorpresas
Sorpresas te da la vida ay dios
Valiente pescador, al anzuelo que tiraste
En vez de una sardina, un tiburón enganchaste

La vida te da sorpresas
Sorpresas te da la vida, ay dios
Ocho millones de historias tiene la ciudad de Nueva York

La vida te da sorpresas
Sorpresas te da la vida, ay dios
Como decía mi abuelita
El que último rie, se rie mejor

La vida te da sorpresas
Sorpresas te da la vida, ay dios
Cuando lo manda el destino
No lo cambia ni el mas bravo
Si necesitas un martillo del cielo te caen los clavos

La vida te da sorpresas
Sorpresas te da la vida, ay dios
De barrio cuidao en la acera
Cuidao camara que no corre vuela

La vida te da sorpresas
Sorpresas te da la vida, ay dios
Como en una novela de caca
El borracho doblo por el callejón

La vida te da

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Rubén Blades

Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (Spanish pronunciation: [ruˈβen ˈbleðz]; born July 16, 1948) professionally known as Rubén Blades is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, actor, Latin jazz musician, and activist, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and politically inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also… more »

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Written by: Ruben Blades

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Composition & Inspiration
"Pedro Navaja" was composed and performed by Panamanian singer Rubén Blades. The song was arranged by Puerto Rican musician Willie Colón.
Storyline
The song narrates a story of a petty criminal, Pedro Navaja. This character is based on the infamous fictional character Mack the Knife from Bertolt Brecht’s Threepenny Opera. Pedro Navaja is a well-known criminal in his neighborhood who ends up dying on the same street he terrorized.
Popularity
Despite its length (almost eight minutes) and narrative style, "Pedro Navaja" became a massive hit and is considered one of the greatest Salsa songs ever produced. It is also viewed as an unofficial national anthem in many Latin American countries.
Influences
With elements of jazz, swing, and pachanga, "Pedro Navaja" is a pioneer in bringing diverse music genres to the salsa world.
Cultural Impact
The song has been so impactful that it has been adapted into a movie and a theatrical play in the Spanish-speaking world.
Controversial Lyrics
The lyrics of "Pedro Navaja" are profound. They depict raw scenes from daily life in the poor neighborhoods, violence, and death, which was controversial at the time it was released.
Album
"Pedro Navaja" was first released in 1978 as part of the album Siembra, one of the best-selling salsa albums in history.
Language
The lyrics of the song are primarily in Spanish, making it a staple in Latin music. However, it also has lines in English, showcasing Blades’s bilingualism.
Song Structure
Unlike many salsa songs, "Pedro Navaja" does not have a chorus. Instead, it's a "salsa story" that focuses on storytelling rather than a repeating verse.
Achievements
In recognition of its cultural importance, "Pedro Navaja" was included in the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013.
Interpretation
The song has been interpreted as a critique of violence and inequality in Latin American societies.

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