Conciencia
Gilberto Santa Rosa · 1991 · written by Omar Alfanno, from the album Perspectiva
His conscience says no, his heart says yes, and the woman is already in his head: a love song that turns into a shouting match between the two.
The story
1.Her
She has the magic of a moment of love, and a touch of mystery in her eyes. When she arrives he loses control, and if he kisses her he's never the same.
2.The argument
His conscience tells him not to love her; his heart shouts that he must. His conscience holds him back just as he's about to fall, and his heart pushes him over the edge, into her kisses.
3.No use
When love has taken hold and reason has lost, the chorus says, no advice is any use. There's nothing left to do but give love wings.
4.Round after round
In the montuno the two voices take turns. His heart says to love her with no conditions, to take the chance, that love is knocking at the door. His conscience shouts back: think it over, she'll make you cry, making the same mistake twice is no coincidence. They never agree.
Key phrases
- “La conciencia me dice que no”My conscience tells me noConciencia is conscience, the inner voice of right and wrong. The title.
- “el corazón me grita que sí”And my heart shouts that I shouldThe conscience only talks; the heart shouts. You can guess who wins.
- “al abismo dulce y tierno de sus besos”To the sweet, tender abyss of her kissesWhere his heart pushes him: the fall sounds dangerous and delicious at once.
- “no valen los consejos”Advice is worth nothingOnce love takes hold, the chorus says, nobody's advice will help.
- “Pero me grita la conciencia”But my conscience shouts at meIn the montuno the roles swap: now the conscience is shouting too, and every round is a new argument.
Context
Gilberto Santa Rosa, from Puerto Rico, is el Caballero de la Salsa, the gentleman of salsa, known for his elegant voice and his skill as an improviser. Conciencia was the first single from his album Perspectiva (Sony, 1991).
It was written by Omar Alfanno, the same Panamanian songwriter behind “El Gran Varón”. This one is a love song, but it has an argument inside it: the head against the heart.
On the dance floor
A classic of 1990s salsa romántica: smooth, steady and sweet, and easy for beginners.
The best part is the montuno. The coro and Gilberto take sides, the heart saying one thing and the conscience shouting another, round after round, and the band pushes harder each time. Dance the debate.
This is our own retelling of the song, not its lyrics or a translation of them: the few short phrases quoted are there to explain what they mean. The song belongs to its writer, Omar Alfanno.