Story 1: Song in the road

By: Jhery Geraldine Manrique Vivas (A00372368)

“Ayer encontré la flor que tú me diste

Imagen del amor que me ofreciste
Aún guarda fiel el aroma, aquel tierno clavel”

Every one of us has had a moment in our lives that we want to remember forever. This could be
very difficult because sometimes we don’t know that we are in “that moment” until later. Therefore,
we don’t get all the details in our minds. The last idea sounds too fatalistic, like we could never
remember the important moments of our life. Fortunately , there is a magnificent tool that we don’t
notice, it helps us remember. That is music. It is amazing how we can remember details that could
be trivial when we associate a memory with a specific song. In fact, there are songs invite us to
remember like the fragment of the beginning. For example, this is the story of the first moment in
my life that I felt that my mom trusted me. I can even remember the specific green of the mountains
from that day.

The story began on a usual Saturday three years ago. My mom and I were in the car on the way to
my grandparents’ house. I remember that that day we woke up very early and we were very happy. I
don´t know why, but the atmosphere between us was pleasant. I was singing every song was
playing on the stereo next to my mom, looking through the window. The landscape was wonderful.
We passed a little vineyard that has flowers at its entrance. The mountains were shining green and
the sun was shining behind them, allowing me to see particles of dust. We were traveling in peace
when, suddenly, the stereo played “Ayer” by Gloria Stefan. I had never heard that song before but
when I did it, I felt amazed. So that was the setting, my mom and I on a regular trip. Until
unexpectedly, my mother began to sing the song so excited. She was electrified and I was
astonished. She hadn’t done it before. The fact that she felt comfortable being herself with me made
me feel that she trusted me.

“Ayer” is a song of ´90s that mixes Latin rhythms with the lyrics of a ballad. It is possible to
identify two parts of the song. The first one tells the story of a woman who reminds her of love
from the past. She felt a bit nostalgic and that is the exact emotion that part of the song transmits.
The second one is an explosion of sounds that invite to enjoy the life: “Levántense y gocen que la
vida es corta/ Alégrense por fin que lo demás no importa/ Tiren ya todas las penas y busquen la vida
buena”. I love that I can relate this song to that specific moment in my life. That is because its lyric
makes me think that this is how my relationship with my mother should be. It doesn’t matter what
happens, we will always have each other. Every time I listen to it, I feel happy, calm, and capable of
doing whatever. I think my mother feels the same, another reason for this song to connect us.

Music helps us memorize more details of a situation that we want to remember forever. I am sure
about that because I have felt it. I believe that everyone should “have a song” with their parents or
with a person they love. Because this implies that in the moment, when you heard it, you really felt
connected to that person. When you listen to it again, you are going to remember the moment and
think about that person. In my case, that song is “Ayer”. The song not only reminds me of a
fabulous day in my life, but also it reminds me of the beautiful relationship I have with my mother.
It makes me feel at peace and invites me to enjoy every moment.

Story 2: Lunch with friends

By: Jhery Geraldine Manrique Vivas (A00372368)

When we are at school, we hope that our friends last forever. I think that is in that stage of life when
we learn about true friendship. How can we not believe it if they are who you give all the
confidence and who teach you how to be better. In my case, my friends taught me how to be calmer,
laugh about whatever and enjoy every detail. These are some reasons why it is too difficult to walk
away from them. Nonetheless, there is an easier way to do it. Remembering them with music. This
story is about me, my friends and “Lo malo de ser bueno” by Cuarteto de Nos.

One year ago, in my senior year, I had to be in the school all day because in the afternoon I studied
laboratory. That means that I had to have lunch away from my home. The above led me to some of
the best afternoons of my life. I used to go to eat with my friends. Sometimes during lunch, we
listened to music. One day we were eating inside the school, talking and listening to some music.
Suddenly “Lo malo de ser bueno” played. I remember that my friends got very excited. I only saw
them like: “Oh my God, my friends are crazy”. The song was so strange for me, like a mix between
rock and rap. My friends just laughed at my expression. They convinced me to hear it again. Days
later, I learned the lyrics, and I started to sing it all the time with my friends. I was cheerful because
that song made me feel closer to my friends and enjoy more time with them.
“Lo malo de ser bueno” is a rock song by Cuarteto de Nos. Its lyrics are a descrption about the
duality of life: Ya está, cuánta ambigüedad / Esta vida me va a matar / Mi corazón vacío no soporta
una ausencia más / Y sé que dijo una vez / El Nobel de la paz asesinado al caer / Es lo malo de ser
bueno en este mundo cruel. It makes you think about many contradictions that make up daily life.
The rhythm is full of energy. The sound of the guitar and battery is terrific. Every time that I listen
to it, I remember the afternoons at school and my friends. I feel a little nostalgic. I would like to
return to that moment. Despite that, I think that is a lovely way to remember my friends.

On the one hand, ending stages of life is hard. Especially if it means to walk away from people
important in your life. Fortunately, we can remember them with songs which mark us forever. It is a
nice feeling knowing that no matter what happens, you are going to share those memories. In
another hand, with your friends, you learn many things that could improve your life. In this case, it
was “only” a song. But even in its lyrics, you could think critically about life. Those are results of
having true friends, remembering them forever and growing up with them.