Río Manso

Alberto Cortez's 'Río Manso' is a poignant song that delves into the themes of unrequited love and the transient nature of life. The lyrics paint a picture of a person speaking to a river, comparing the river's journey to their own dreams. The river, with its relentless flow, becomes a metaphor for the singer's aspirations and the passage of time. The mention of 'Una Pasión Imposible' (an impossible passion) that writes from Santa Fe suggests a distant or unattainable love, one that is as elusive as the river's destination.

The chorus of the song, 'Estribillo,' further emphasizes the singer's transient existence and inability to provide happiness to the object of their affection. The singer identifies with the Paraná River, which touches the shore only briefly before moving on. This comparison highlights a sense of restlessness and the inevitability of departure, suggesting that the singer's love, like the river, cannot be contained or made to stay. The plea to be forgotten ('¡Olvidame Te Lo Ruego!') underscores the pain and futility of holding on to a love that cannot be realized.

The setting of the song, a 'noche correntina' (a night in Corrientes), adds a layer of romanticism and nostalgia. The singer's conversation with the water and the melting of January's heat into the river create a vivid imagery of a moment frozen in time, where the singer's poetic vein ('mi vena de verseador') is left alongside the beloved's profile. The song, therefore, is not just about love but also about the artistic expression of that love and the bittersweet acceptance of its fleeting nature.