El Problema

Ricardo Arjona's 'El Problema' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the internal struggle that comes with it. The song delves into the complexities of a one-sided relationship, where the protagonist is grappling with the pain of loving someone who does not feel the same way. Arjona, a Guatemalan singer-songwriter known for his lyrical storytelling and ability to convey deep emotions, uses a series of contrasts to articulate the heartache of holding onto feelings for someone who is emotionally unavailable.

The lyrics repeatedly juxtapose the act of finding and losing, presence and absence, and truth and deception. Arjona sings about the difficulty of forgetting someone and the pain of waiting for a person who may never return. He acknowledges that the problem isn't the love itself, but the fact that it is not reciprocated. The song's refrain, questioning how to let go of someone who is not there or how to distance oneself from someone who is already far away, captures the essence of the struggle between the desire to move on and the inability to do so.

Metaphors are used throughout the song to illustrate the futility of seeking something that does not exist, such as finding eyelashes on something that never had eyes or building platforms over a chasm. These images convey the sense of impossibility in trying to create a connection where there is none. Arjona's 'El Problema' resonates with anyone who has experienced the longing and despair of unrequited love, making it a timeless ballad that speaks to the universal human condition of seeking love and connection.