Como Olvidarte

Ricardo Arjona's song "Como Olvidarte" delves into the theme of the lingering presence of a past love that remains embedded in one's life despite attempts to move on. The lyrics juxtapose everyday gossip and global news with the personal struggle of the narrator to forget a significant other. Arjona uses these contrasting elements to highlight how, amidst the noise of the world, the memory of a loved one can still take center stage in one's mind.

The song's chorus, with its repeated question 'Como olvidarte' (How to forget you), emphasizes the difficulty of erasing someone from your thoughts when they have become a part of everything around you. Arjona uses metaphors such as being stuck like a sticker ('Como calcomania') and carrying someone like a kangaroo carries its young to express the inextricable bond he feels. The imagery of the loved one being as natural and unavoidable as the sun bringing the day or a tattoo on the skin conveys a sense of permanence and inevitability.

Arjona's storytelling is rich with cultural references, from mentioning Mikhail Gorbachev to the Salvadoran Civil War, which adds depth to the song's narrative. These references serve to ground the song in a specific time and place, while also suggesting that personal heartache persists regardless of the changing world. The song resonates with anyone who has struggled to move past a relationship, capturing the universal experience of love's lasting impact.