Analysis and Write-Alike of a Story of Self
"Soy yo" by Bomba Estéreo
Story of Self: “Soy yo” by Bomba Estéreo
What is this? A song from Bomba Estéreo’s album Amanecer (2015)
Text: Read the lyrics below, and watch the music video here:
Me caí, me paré, caminé, me subí
Me fui contra la corriente y también me perdí
Fracasé, me encontré, lo viví y aprendí
Cuando te pegas fuerte más profundo es el beat
Sigo bailando y escribiendo mis letras
Sigo cantando con las puertas abiertas
Atravesando todas estas tierras
Y no hay que viajar tanto pa’ encontrar la respuesta
Y no te preocupes si no te aprueban
Cuando te critiquen, tú solo di
Soy yo
Soy yo
Soy yo (soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy)
Soy yo (yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo)
Sigo caminando y sigo riendo
Hago lo que quiero y muero en el intento
A nadie le importa lo que estoy haciendo
Lo único que importa es lo que está por dentro
A mí me gusta estar en la arena
Bañarme en el mar sin razón, sin problema
Estar sentada sin hacer nada
Mirando de lejos y estar relajada
Y no te preocupes si no te aprueban
Cuando te critiquen, tú solo di
Soy yo
Soy yo
Soy yo (soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy, soy)
Soy yo (yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo)
Soy así, soy así, soy así (Relaja)
Y tú ni me conoces a mí (Bien relaja)
Soy así, soy así, soy así (Relaja)
Y tú ni me conoces a mí (Bien relaja)
You know what I mean? You know what I mean?
Part 1: Analysis
Read through the story of self above and then answer the questions below.
Example: If you’re having trouble, here’s an example of how to analyze a story of self:
Your turn:
- What aspect of selfhood is this writer focusing on?
- What are the moments or events they focus on in relation to that aspect of selfhood?
- What is the tone of this piece? Or, how does this writer feel about the aspect of selfhood they are writing about?
- What details and images do they use to communicate that tone/feeling?
- What are three words you would use to describe this writer, based on this piece of writing? What can you tell about their personality, values, or passions?
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SAMPLE
Part 2: Write-alike
A write-alike is an exercise in which you take inspiration from the format, structure, and themes of a piece of writing, but replace the original content with your own.
The Original: “Soy yo” is a song in rhyming lyric in which the speaker defiantly claims the right to be her unique self, despite being made fun of and criticized by others.
Questions to think about for your Write-alike:
- What would you like to say to the people who have bullied you, criticized you, or made you feel small?
- What are some things you love, and some things you love to do, that you will continue to love and do no matter what anyone says?
Starters for your Write-alike:
One way you could start your write-alike would be to borrow Bomba Estéreo’s line, “Fracasé, me encontré, lo viví y aprendí” (“I failed, I found myself, I lived and I learned”).
You could begin by writing, “I failed, I found myself, I lived and I learned.”
Then continue with how you have learned to be yourself despite the noise others make -- and the kinds of passions and pursuits connected to “being yourself” for you.
Example:
Your Turn:
Set a timer for 15 minutes and go!