Tildaban comes from the verb tildar, which means "to brand," "to label," or "to accuse." It's a less common word than simply saying "they called him" and carries a stronger connotation of judgment or negative labeling.
In the song, the lyrics state, "Que tildaban de ordinario / Al no ser como los demás" (They branded him as ordinary / For not being like the others). This word perfectly captures the societal pressure and judgment the protagonist faced for being different, making it a poignant and memorable choice.
Imagine a teenage rebel with a guitar on his back and the wind in his hair. That is the hero of “Todo Hombre Es Una Historia,” a song where Juanes celebrates anyone brave enough to leave the gossip, labels, and small-town limits behind. The lyrics tell us about a neighborhood boy who never quite fit in: people mocked his shoulder-length hair and dismissed his wild dream of flying through music. One day he simply walks away, escaping the “opresión” that tried to clip his wings. Rumors swirl after he is gone, but the young dreamer keeps marching forward, guided by the beat in his heart rather than the whispers in the street.
Years later he returns, eyes tired yet shining with the pride of dreams fulfilled. His journey proves the song’s core message: every man is a story, and only the storyteller himself can decide if it ends in regret or triumph. Juanes turns this narrative into an anthem of individuality, resilience, and artistic freedom, inviting listeners to ignore the “qué dirán,” chase their own passions, and come back home with a life worth singing about.