Las Letras No Mienten

A couple of class sessions ago, we discussed the music of telenovelas.  After that class, I have noticed the significant role that music plays in a telenovela.  In my telenovela, Univision's "Eva Luna," I see that the music plays a crucial role.  In many scenes, I observed the dialogue of the people, and the music that was played over it.  In one scene I recall Victoria, Daniel's "future wife," asked Daniel to speak in front of a group of people at a party.  At first I thought this was a normal question, but when the suspenseful music came into the background, Victoria's simple request became a tense moment in the episode.  The music immediately gave me the feeling that Daniel's words to the group would be a defining moment for him because of his secret love for Eva Gonzalez.

This is an example of how music, whether we realize or not, can totally change the meaning of a scene.  Music has meaning elsewhere as well.  The opening credits to Eva Luna include a catchy, romantic sounding song, which is suitable for the romantic story.  I looked up the theme song, and it is called "El" or "Him" by Jenni Rivera.  And although I do understand many Spanish words from my high school and current Spanish classes(the telenovela is helping me learn Spanish as well), I used Google Translate to find out the entire meaning of the lyrics.  Here is the opening verse:

"Appeared when not expected, Any change in her sweet eyes
What I felt when I saw, I can not express in words
But the untimely under our lives, As someone else already shares his day
And although he would not live without, I do not want a love hidden
Give me patience to wait, Give me hope to fight
God give me strength and a signal"

This lyrics, not surprisingly, match the story.  This is the classic Cinderella story.  Eva, the poor girl, even though she is forbidden by Doña Marcela, Daniel's girlfriend's mother, she falls in love with Daniel.  Because she is forbidden, their love is un amor escondidas or, "a love hidden," and Eva needs the patience to wait for him, and overcome obstacles. Even when they kiss, and even when they have intimate moments, Daniel and Eva continue to face misunderstandings which prevent them from being together.  As I watch, these obstacles are frustrating me, but I guess this is what makes a telenovela "hooking."  I am becoming impatient to see the couple finally get together, so please Eva Luna, dame paciencia para esperar.