What Is the Song in the Background of Our Favorite Series?
La casa de papel, or in English Money Heist is a popular Spanish series about incredible robberies done by the team of criminals led by El Professor. As the fifth season of this attractive series has been aired recently, a new song in the final episode has drawn everybody's attention. Spoiler alert! A thematic song of the whole season which was highlighted in the scenes of the death of one of our favourite characters (not mine though) Tokyo has left many wonder which song is that.
Besides the Bella Ciao which became the trademark song of the Netflix series, season five has brought to us a new old hit. Bella Ciao was the song of Italian left-wing resistance movements during World War II, and the Money Heist has brought it to life in a way. However, the new song in the latest season is not Italian nor it is from the time of WWII. Trademark song of this season is a Portuguese song from the 1970s. The new song is not Italian, nor was it composed during the war. But the aim of this blog is to reveal the history of Grandola Vila Morena, which is the name of the song, why is it important and why series directors decided to add it to the show.
Grandola Vila Morena is a song written by Portuguese song-writer and singer José Afonso and recorded in 1971. What makes this song interesting is its political background. Namely, the song became iconic in Portugal after being used as a radio broadcast signal by the Portuguese Armed Forces Movement during their military coup operation in 1974. The broadcast of this song on the radio was a signal for the Armed Forces Movement, which was composed of military officers who opposed the authoritarian regime, to start the coup and the revolution in Lisbon. The revolution was successful, and Grandola Vila Morena played an important role in coordinating its begging. The Carnation Revolution, as it was called later because of Celeste Caeiro - a famous pacifist, offering carnations to the soldiers when the population took to the streets to celebrate the end of the dictatorship. The song has since been considered a symbol of the revolution and anti-fascism.
From this point of view, it can be said that Grandola Vila Morena has had a very important historical role. It marked the begging of the transition of Portugal towards democracy and what it is today, a modern developed state - a member of the European Union. Having in mind all previous songs that have been picked for the series, it is not strange why Grandola Vila Morena was chosen for the latest season. Its anti-fascist sentiment and revolutionary legacy perfectly fit the concept of the series.
Lastly, we are looking forward to watching the second part of season five in December, when it is announced to air...
Enjoy the official #LaCasaDePapel video featuring highlights of Season 5 with #GrandolaVilaMorena in the background
If you enjoyed reading this text while drinking a cup of your favourite coffee, feel free to buy me the one!