Camelar is a fantastic Spanish slang verb that means "to sweet-talk," "to woo," or "to seduce." It originally comes from the Caló language of the Spanish Romani people and has been adopted into everyday slang.
In "Me Gustas Tú," Manu Chao includes it in his famous list of things he likes ("Me gusta camelar, me gustas tú"). This adds a playful, charming, and slightly roguish touch to the song, suggesting he enjoys the art of charming and winning someone over.
Get ready for one of the most charming and simple love songs you'll ever hear. Manu Chao isn't writing complicated poetry here; he's just making a list of everything he likes in the world. The list is wonderfully random, including big things like airplanes, “la mar” [the sea], and traveling, and smaller things like “la lluvia” [the rain] and “la guitarra” [the guitar]. After every single item, he adds the most important thing: “me gustas tú” [I like you]. It's a sweet, direct, and repetitive way to say that this person is as wonderful to him as all his other favorite things combined.
But there's a twist of confusion in the middle of this happy list. The singer keeps asking, “¿Qué voy a hacer?” [What am I going to do?] and answering himself in French with lines like “Je ne sais pas” [I don't know] and “Je suis perdu” [I am lost]. It seems like being this in love has left him feeling a little dazed and directionless. The song feels like a global radio broadcast of his feelings, with time checks from Cuba, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, making this simple declaration of love feel like it's bouncing all around the world.
Manu Chao, born José Manuel Tomás Arturo Chao Ortega in Paris in 1961, is a celebrated French-Spanish musician known for his eclectic blend of Latin alternative, reggae, worldbeat, and ska. Singing fluently in multiple languages including French, Spanish, English, and Arabic, Manu's diverse sound reflects his multicultural upbringing and his travels across the globe.
Beginning his music career busking in Paris, Manu Chao gained international acclaim as the frontman of the band Mano Negra before launching a successful solo career with his band Radio Bemba Sound System. His solo debut album, Clandestino, became a worldwide favorite, featuring heartfelt lyrics paired with infectious rhythms. Manu continues to inspire listeners with his socially conscious music, blending global sounds into an unforgettable party where language and culture unite.