100 Pajaros Volando

Andrés Calamaro's song '100 Pajaros Volando' is a poetic exploration of the transient nature of love and time. The imagery of birds flying, which is central to the song, serves as a metaphor for fleeting moments and emotions. The balcony, where the sun hits the hardest, symbolizes a place of reflection and contemplation. As the narrator watches the birds, he expresses a disinterest in knowing their origins or destinations, emphasizing the importance of living in the moment rather than being preoccupied with the past or future.

The song takes a poignant turn when the narrator recalls a farewell, a moment when time seemed to stand still. This moment of separation is described as having words written with the wind, suggesting that the emotions and promises made were ephemeral and insubstantial. The refrain of '100 pájaros volando' (100 birds flying) reinforces the idea that these moments, like the birds, are beautiful but transient, and trying to hold onto them is futile.

In the latter part of the song, Calamaro contrasts words written with fire in one hand and a heart with 100 fewer birds, indicating a loss or emptiness. This juxtaposition highlights the intensity of emotions and the inevitable sense of loss that follows. The repeated lines 'No hace falta decir' (There's no need to say) suggest an acceptance of this transience and a resignation to the fact that some things are better left unsaid. The desire for 'one in the hand' alludes to the proverb 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,' underscoring the longing for something tangible and certain amidst the fleeting nature of life and love.