Cangrejo
Arena Hash
The Chaotic Dance of Life in 'Cangrejo'
The song 'Cangrejo' by Arena Hash, a Peruvian rock band active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, narrates a vivid scene of revelry and chaos. The lyrics paint a picture of a man, referred to as 'el cangrejo' (the crab), who is known for his wild dancing and unruly behavior. The repeated lines about shaking hips 'like a wretch' suggest a sense of abandon and possibly a lack of control or disregard for social norms.
The song's setting is a bar where a scandalous event takes place, involving alcohol-fueled altercations that almost lead to the death of two individuals. The protagonist's actions, from picking a fight with a girl's boyfriend to causing a commotion that ends with him lying on the floor, illustrate a night of excess and the consequences of living on the edge. The imagery of broken furniture and spilled drinks further emphasizes the tumultuous atmosphere.
'Cangrejo' can be seen as a commentary on the darker side of nightlife and the dangers of losing oneself to hedonism. The character's nickname, 'el cangrejo,' could symbolize his sideways approach to life, moving in a direction that is unconventional and potentially self-destructive. The song serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of overindulgence and the thin line between a night of fun and a descent into chaos.