9 Love Songs by Víctor Jara, Including His Compositions for Joan Turner

Original article: 9 canciones de amor de Víctor Jara, incluidas las composiciones que dedicó a Joan Turner 

Love Songs by Víctor Jara: The Intimate Legacy of the Singer-Songwriter

In the vast realm of Nueva Canción Chilena, Víctor Jara’s work is often linked to social struggle and resistance. However, his legacy also holds an intimate treasure: a collection of love songs consisting of essential pieces.

From the iconic worker’s portrait in «Te recuerdo Amanda» to the tenderness of «Luchín,» inspired by a child whom the singer-songwriter rescued and adopted, Jara’s music creates a unique blend of love and compassion.

Jara’s repertoire on love is woven with the same fiber of dignity and humanity that characterized his life. The song «Las palomitas» and «Paloma, quiero contarte» have a special place in this list, as they were musical whispers dedicated to his great companion, the dancer Joan Turner, forming a perfect circle between the art and love they shared.

Yet, the love story between Víctor and Joan was marked by earthly tragedy and resilience. On November 12, 2023, at the age of 96, Joan Jara passed away in Santiago from natural causes, leaving a tremendous void in culture and human rights. The British nationalized Chilean dancer, who met Víctor while pursuing dance, was not only an inspiration for iconic songs and a unique shared life project but also became the tireless guardian of his memory following his brutal assassination by the military-dominated dictatorship in September 1973.

Joan’s passing came just weeks before former officer Pedro Barrientos, accused of directly committing the crime, was extradited from the United States to Chile to face justice.

In 1973, Joan had to identify her husband’s body, riddled with 44 bullet wounds, and fled to exile in Britain with their two daughters. She fought for fifty years to see justice served.

Víctor’s legacy, which continues to resonate through his love songs, would not be the same without Joan’s colossal efforts. The songs «Las palomitas» and «Paloma, quiero contarte» are part of that legacy, dedicated to his wife, Joan Turner.

Songs like «Deja la vida volar,» «Lo único que tengo,» and «El amor es un camino que de repente aparece» contribute to a universal legacy of love, but perhaps the most poignant story connecting the singer-songwriter’s work to real life is that of «Luchín.» This song was born from a real event: Víctor’s encounter with a critically ill child in a community in Pudahuel whom he cared for and later adopted. That child, now a lawyer and parent, stands as living proof that the love expressed in Jara’s work was not merely metaphorical, but an action grounded in reality.

Víctor Jara’s love songs, from the most well-known to the most intimate, represent an indelible testament.

9 Love Songs by Víctor Jara

Here are the singer-songwriter’s songs that form part of his legacy:

• Te recuerdo Amanda: His most iconic love song, a classic recounting the story of a couple of workers and their love during a lunch break.

• Deja la vida volar: A poetic ballad that invites freedom and love without bonds.

• Lo único que tengo: A song that expresses a sincere, simple, and selfless love, where the feeling is the greatest wealth. Sung by Isabel Parra.

• El amor es un camino que de repente aparece: A lyrical piece that describes love as a surprising discovery in daily life.

• Aquí te traigo una rosa: A popular love song in his repertoire, filled with symbolism and tenderness.

• Las palomitas: A traditional tonada.

• Paloma, quiero contarte: Another of the compositions dedicated to Joan Turner, where the dove is a recurring symbol of love’s messenger.

• Luchín: A song reflecting Víctor’s tenderness towards children, inspired by the real story of a little boy he adopted.

• Cuando voy al trabajo: A theme that portrays love in the routine and the daily departure to work.