Más Guapa Que Cualquiera

Andrés Calamaro's song 'Más Guapa Que Cualquiera' is a poignant exploration of the lives of three women, each marked by their own unique struggles and heartbreaks. The song's narrative is deeply empathetic, portraying these women not as mere victims of their circumstances but as individuals with their own stories and intrinsic beauty. The lyrics are rich with metaphors and vivid imagery, painting a picture of lives touched by sorrow yet filled with a certain grace and resilience.

The first woman, Soledad, whose name means 'solitude,' is depicted as someone who collects 'sad butterflies' and 'addresses of streets that don't exist.' These metaphors suggest a life filled with ephemeral and unattainable dreams. Despite her loneliness, she makes an exception for the narrator, only to forget him in the midst of a 'te quiero' (I love you). This fleeting connection underscores the transient nature of her affections and perhaps her inability to hold onto happiness.

The second woman, Esperanza, meaning 'hope,' ironically has none. She collects 'unfortunate loves' and 'mutilated lead soldiers,' symbolizing her broken relationships and shattered dreams. Her attempt to understand the purpose of a heart by lighting cigarette after cigarette only leads to her hope dissipating like smoke. This imagery powerfully conveys the futility she feels in seeking love or meaning in her life.

The third woman, Inmaculada, whose name means 'immaculate,' is a prostitute who 'cures the measles of recruits.' She dreams of being loved and taken away from her life on the streets. Her collection of 'summer clouds' and 'tulle veils gnawed by worms' symbolizes her fleeting dreams and the decay of her innocence. Despite her circumstances, the narrator recalls her with a sense of nostalgia and admiration, asserting that she was 'more beautiful than anyone,' highlighting the song's central theme: the unseen beauty in broken souls.

Calamaro's lyrical storytelling in 'Más Guapa Que Cualquiera' is a testament to his ability to find beauty in the most unexpected places. The song is a tribute to the resilience and hidden grace of women who have been scarred by life but remain profoundly human and beautiful in their own right.