A Spanish version of "Special needs"





Today I have something special for you, literally; It's a Spanish version of ”Special needs” by Ernesto Oliviera, an independent musician from Oaxaca City/Mexico.





Ernesto Oliviera is a big fan of Brian Molko.


He loves songs that tell a story and that one can feel identified with.”This is the case with ”Special needs”. It's a song with a powerful message about fame, expectations, past and how things can gradually destroy us or make us feel lost,” the young artist explains.

According to Brian it is a tale of a celebrity has-been told from a wheelchair. In his words it's a story about ”someone reminiscing how the shoe is on the other foot and worrying that they’ll be written out of their ex’s biography.” In Ernesto's opinion all these elements are narrated as a story and included in a slow and calm background music accompanying the lost of the main character itself.
But why doing a Spanish version of ”Special needs”? - The 21-years-old gives a simple and plausible answer: ”The song was so contrasting and attractive to me that I had to try it!”

Ernesto declares that each Placebo piece has lyrics with quite real meanings, and he wanted to represent this using an adaptation to his original language. It is hard to translate from one language to another without removing the identity of the song but he decided to ”don't let the language be an obstacle to communicate what I wanted to.” In the end he came out with this Spanish version of the song and decided to record it. ”In fact Placebo was one of my first alternative rock influences and I'm a big fan of the band,” the Mexican musician thinks back.
Ernesto Oliviera - Special needs (Spanish version)




Ernesto's first contact with Placebo was a concert transmitted on a local TV station. It was their performance at German festival Rock am Ring in 2006. Besides ”Special needs” the songs ”Every you Every me”, ”Special K”, ”Because I want you” and ”Infra-Red” got his attention. He remembers that in addition to the live show the visual art in the background of the stage and the aggressive and precise way of performing were amazing for him. Ernesto: ”Definitely, after that I really wanted to know more about the band!”



Ernesto (r.) is proud of his "Special needs" cover.



”I enjoy spending my time creating music because in fact, it complements two parts of my life,” tells the talented young fan, who studies Electric engineering at university. In his spare time he developes different music projects including genres such as alternative rock, pop, acoustic ensembles and even choral and opera. ”I think the reason why I make different forms of music is due to this aim to create something containing a personal message which people could feel identified to,” he reflects.

Placebo - Special needs




If you want to hear more of Ernesto Oliviera's work you can listen to it on his Youtube channel (see links below). Besides cover versions he has already started to write his own music and is also working on collaborations with some other musicians. ”I’ve got too many ideas in process!” as he says.


FB: https://www.facebook.com/ernesto.m.olivera
Web Page: http://ernestolivera.ml/
Youtube: http://bit.ly/2RkQQgM




Photo credits: Ashley Maile, Itzel Cruz




Text by Silke Mitteregger