Laura
Ricardo Arjona
The Downward Spiral of Laura: A Tale of Lost Innocence
The song "Laura" by Ricardo Arjona tells a poignant story of a woman's fall from grace, as seen through the eyes of someone who once knew her in better times. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Laura's current state, suggesting she's become a regular at bars, struggling with substance abuse and possibly an eating disorder. The mention of her 'bleeding nose' and 'bulimia' indicates a life now controlled by her addictions and the toll they've taken on her physical appearance and health.
The song's narrator reflects on Laura's past, contrasting her current situation with the time when she was a runway model and the singer's first love in school. This stark contrast highlights the tragedy of Laura's situation, as the narrator seems to be reaching out to her, hoping she remembers who she once was. The reference to the 'train of purgatory' suggests that Laura is in a liminal space, caught between salvation and damnation, with her future being gambled away.
The emotional weight of the song is carried by the narrator's plea for Laura to remember not only him but also herself. It's a call for her to recognize the severity of her situation and perhaps a hope for redemption. The repeated lines where the narrator asks Laura to remember him and not hang up the phone call serve as a metaphor for the lifeline he's trying to offer her, a chance to pull her back from the edge of self-destruction.