A Dios le pido

The story behind

Juanes recorded it in 2002 with producer Gustavo Santaolalla, but its history began earlier. The lyrics came from a personal request: that God protect his family, the children he didn’t yet have, and those around him. However, the verse that made it transcend speaks of something greater: "that my people may not shed so much blood and that my people may rise up". That line, simple and direct, became a collective call during a time of tensions in Latin America. The song doesn’t sound like a track written for massive success, but rather a prayer turned into music, with a melody that sways between the intimate and the epic.The single was first released on March 25, 2002, as a preview of Un Día Normal, the album Juanes had been crafting after leaving his metal band, Ekhymosis. In 2006, by which time La Camisa Negra had already exploded in Europe, it was re-released in some countries, this time with greater force. The song not only held the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart for 47 consecutive weeks but also reached number one in twelve countries across three continents. In 2002, it had already won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Song, a prize that cemented its place in the scene, but the most curious thing is that the song never sought to be an anthem: it simply wanted to be what it was.