Juramento translates to "oath" or "promise." It's a strong, formal word that carries significant weight, often associated with solemn vows or pledges.
In the context of "Amnesia," the narrator, suffering from memory loss, is told by a former lover about their past. She recounts him "gastándome la piel en recordar su juramento" (wearing out my skin remembering your oath/promise). This word highlights the depth of the commitment that was supposedly made, making the narrator's amnesia even more poignant and the former lover's pain more acute.
Have you ever been told a story about yourself that you just don't remember? That's exactly what's happening in José José's "Amnesia." The song starts with someone telling our singer, "Usted me cuenta que nosotros dos / Fuimos amantes" [You tell me that the two of us / Were lovers] and that they shared something important. But he's just not buying it! He insists, "Me temo que lo suyo es un error / Yo estoy desde hace tiempo sin amor" [I'm afraid what you're saying is a mistake / I've been without love for a long time]. Ouch! He even says his last love was just "un borrón / En mi cuaderno" [a blur / in my notebook].
It gets even more dramatic when this person claims he begged them not to leave and that their goodbye left his heart without spring. They even say he went "de bar en bar / Llorando sin podermela olvidar" [from bar to bar / Crying, unable to forget her]. He apologizes, "Perdón, no la quisiera lastimar" [Sorry, I wouldn't want to hurt you], and admits it might be true, but then delivers the blunt truth: "Lamento contrariarla pero yo / No la recuerdo" [I'm sorry to contradict you but I / Don't remember you]. It's a fascinating look at memory, denial, or maybe just a really good excuse!
José José, born José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz in Mexico City in 1948, was a legendary Mexican singer renowned as "El Príncipe de la Canción" (The Prince of Song). With a career spanning over four decades, he captivated Latin audiences with his powerful tenor voice and emotive performances, earning him a lasting legacy in Latin pop, bolero, bossa nova, and jazz.
Rising to fame with his stunning 1970 performance of "El Triste," José José achieved international success through hit albums like Secretos and iconic songs such as "Lo Dudo" and "El Amor Acaba." He sold millions of albums worldwide, received multiple Grammy nominations, and was even courted by Frank Sinatra, solidifying his place as one of the most emblematic Latin singers of his time. José José's music continues to inspire new generations of Latin artists and music lovers around the world.