Cosas Que Me Ayudan A Olvidar

Andrés Calamaro's song 'Cosas Que Me Ayudan A Olvidar' delves into the complex emotions of memory, forgetfulness, and the coping mechanisms we employ to navigate life's hardships. The song opens with vivid imagery of a man returning home, crossing rivers and seas, symbolizing the arduous journey of life and the emotional turbulence that accompanies it. The juxtaposition of 'calor y frío' (heat and cold) within the man's chest highlights the internal conflict and the duality of emotions that one experiences when dealing with past memories and the need to forget.

The lyrics then shift to personal anecdotes, such as a joke that once brought joy but has since lost its charm. This reflects the transient nature of happiness and how certain memories, once a source of comfort, can become hollow over time. The singer's struggle to even talk about these 'cosas que me ayudan a olvidar' (things that help me forget) underscores the difficulty of confronting painful memories and the coping mechanisms that no longer serve their purpose.

As the song progresses, Calamaro introduces the idea of a song that comes with forgetfulness, suggesting that music itself can be a form of escapism. However, this forgetfulness also brings with it a sense of losing the future ('olvidándose el por venir'), indicating that while forgetting can provide temporary relief, it can also hinder one's ability to move forward. The repeated hope that 'la fortuna quiere que me acompañe' (fortune wants to accompany me) before time runs out emphasizes the urgency of finding solace and peace before it's too late. Through poetic lyrics and evocative imagery, Calamaro captures the bittersweet essence of memory and the human desire to forget in order to live fully.