Deshora means 'ungodly hour' or an inopportune time. It's a fantastic, evocative word for describing something happening outside of a normal schedule, usually very late at night.
In the song, the narrator sings "Me llaman guapa, siempre a deshora" (They call me beautiful, always at an ungodly hour). This single word powerfully illustrates her marginalized life on the streets, where compliments and attention only come during these strange, lonely moments.
This song is an incredible piece of storytelling from the perspective of a prostitute who calls herself "the street". Manu Chao gives her a voice that is tired, proud, and full of contradictions. She describes her life as a mechanical routine, going through the city "Como maquinita por la gran ciudad" (Like a little machine through the big city). She's called many things by the people who use her, from "puta" (whore) to "princesa" (princess), but she takes the name the world gives her and makes it her own.
What's so powerful is how she holds onto her dignity. Despite being "calle sufrida" (suffering street) and "calle cansada / De tanto amar" (tired street / from loving so much), she insists, "No me rebajo" (I don't lower myself). She dreams that one day a good man will come for her, but even without that, she declares that her core self is not for sale: "Mi corazĂłn no es de alquilar" (My heart is not for rent). She finds a strange honor in her identity, saying of the name people call her, "Es mi nobleza" (It is my nobility).
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.