Seven Songs a Week: 05/04/21

Hello, Welcome to Seven Songs a Week

Today's song a throwback to the 1980s with the legendary Ana Gabriel with her smash hit "Simplemente Amigos" which translates to "Just Friends." This is a song that Latinos would group into a category called "canciones de señora dolida" which translates to "songs of a hurt woman. Theses types of songs are typically power ballads with strong female voice singing about their pain, makes sense doesn't it? Latina moms will usually play theses songs when they are cleaning and my mom is not exception. My mom is always cleaning so these songs are always playing but that isn't a problem, I love these songs! There has always been a rumor on whether Ana Gabriel is a lesbian ever since the beginning of her career with the way she dresses and this song specifically, leading "Simplemente Amigos" to become a gay anthem. Ana Gabriel and Juan Gabriel were always rumored to be gay with neither confirming nor denying the claims. Juan Gabriel once responded to these claims with a simple statement that is still referenced to this day "...lo que se ve, no se pregunta..." which translates to "you don't ask about what you can see" or "you don't ask about the obvious." Ana Gabriel responded to her claims saying that she has never been seen with a woman in public but she is always surrounded by them, like her mother or sisters.

Album Cover for "Tierra de Nadie"

"Simplemente Amigos" was Gabriel's first single of her "Tierra de Nadie" (No Man's Land) and lyrically focuses on a forbidden relationship between her and a lover. Gabriel says that the way her relationship is hidden has become a day to day thing. Gabriel can't even speak to her lover in public and once they get suspicious, she says that they are "just friends." Gabriel feels something sparking but she must fake a goodbye at the end of the night. Gabriel wishes to scream her lover to the highest of heights but for now they can only be in and make love behind closed doors. After making their love Gabriel and her lover make more and she remembers what a shame it is that her lover isn't accepted. Gabriel describes the looks she and her lover give each other in public, they are saying anything but their look to each other speak a thousand words. Once again, people get suspicious but their "just friends." Gabriel repeats her desires to have a public relationship but she must keep it behind closed doors because her love just isn't accepted.

The video for “Simplemente Amigos” is first of all, very dated, but it follows Gabriel and her violin playing boyfriend. Gabriel walks down the streets wearing a headscarf and sunglasses, shielding her identity. They are showing in bed together with Gabriel’s earring in the violin case. The video continues with more violin playing, Gabriel hiding herself and glamour shots from her. Eventually, making it to the bedroom again. We see why Gabriel’s earring is in the case at the end because she throws it in their herself at the end.

I honestly believe that the song is about a lesbian relationship, what other kind of relationship would it be? It wouldn't be a Romeo and Juliet store because Gabriel and her lover seem to be of a legal age, legal age of consent is lower in Mexico even and I don't believe the Gabriels are feuding with any family. I really enjoy the potential lesbian representation in Mexican music as the Latino community can be very homophobic. The song isn't necessarily my cup of tea because I prefer some of Gabriel's more dramatic songs like "Quien Como Tu" or "Luna."

I give "Simplemente Amigos" 4.2 gay icons out of 5

I hope you enjoyed my review. How do you feel about "Simplemente Amigos"? Leave a comment and a request for Saturday down below.

I listed my sources below in case you are interested in reading more.

Take Care,

Jonathan