What makes Pongo en tus manos abiertas by Víctor Jara notable?

This album is significant for its powerful lyrical content that addressed social issues and resonated deeply with the Chilean people during a time of political turmoil. It showcased Jara's influence on the nueva canción movement and solidified his legacy as a symbol of resistance against oppression, especially after his tragic death in 1973, which further amplified his impact on music and politics. Released in 1969, Pongo en tus manos abiertas was Víctor Jara's second studio album, following his acclaimed debut. At this point in his career, Jara had already become a prominent figure in the nueva canción chilena movement, which sought to fuse traditional folk music with political themes, solidifying his role as an influential voice for social justice in Chile.

How many songs are on Pongo en tus manos abiertas?

Pongo en tus manos abiertas has 18 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Pongo en tus manos abiertas

Víctor Jara · 1969

48 min · 18 tracks · traditional folk music

A poignant blend of folk melodies and stirring protest anthems that champions the struggles of the working class.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Te recuerdo Amanda — This track stands out for its haunting melody and poignant storytelling, encapsulating the love and sacrifice of workers during social upheaval.
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A desalambrar — With its rallying cry against land dispossession, this song has become an anthem for agrarian reform movements and remains a staple in protest repertoires.
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Plegaria a un labrador — The song's heartfelt plea for justice resonates strongly with laborers, making it a foundational piece within Jara's body of work and the protest song genre.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends folk melodies with protest themes, showcasing Jara's lyrical strength and cultural significance.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate traditional folk instruments, creating an authentic sound that reflects Chilean musical heritage.
The lyrics often address social justice themes, with direct references to political figures and events relevant to the time.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 A Luis Emilio Recabarren 2:51
2 A desalambrar 1:37
3 Duerme, duerme negrito 2:50
4 Juan sin tierra 3:09
5 Preguntas por Puerto Montt 2:41
6 "Móvil" Oil Special 2:47
7 Camilo Torres 3:04
8 El martillo 2:49
9 Te recuerdo Amanda 2:35
10 Zamba del "Che" 3:40
11 Ya parte el galgo terrible 1:51
12 A Cochabamba me voy 2:28
13 Plegaria a un labrador (single version) 3:04
14 Cueca de Joaquín Murieta 1:38
15 Tonada para guitarra (live) 1:14
16 Te recuerdo Amanda (live) 3:06
17 Plegaria a un labrador (live) 3:32
18 El arado (live) 3:48

What to play next

Listen next

Canto libre

1970

Go back to

Canciones folklóricas de América

1967

Full Víctor Jara discography Artists like Víctor Jara

nueva canción chilena protest song traditional folk music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata