Tarot

Ricardo Arjona's song 'Tarot' delves into the harrowing world of addiction, painting a vivid picture of despair and the search for escape. The lyrics open with a scene of domestic disarray, where a father smokes in the living room and a mother anxiously watches the clock. This setting introduces the tension and unease that permeate the song. The mention of a needle under the bed and the tarot card predicting death foreshadow the tragic outcome of the protagonist's struggle with substance abuse.

The song uses powerful imagery to describe the protagonist's attempts to find solace in drugs. Spoons and matches, common tools in drug use, symbolize the fleeting relief sought in the 'hell' of addiction. The lyrics suggest that despite trying various substances like acid and beer, the protagonist couldn't escape their pain or create a better world for themselves. The repeated line 'Y se apagó la luz' (And the light went out) signifies the ultimate end of this struggle, where the protagonist succumbs to their addiction and loses their future.

Arjona also touches on the false promises of rehabilitation and the confusion between dealers and doctors, highlighting the complexities and challenges of overcoming addiction. The song's haunting refrain about the blind seeing lights, the deaf hearing a song, and the dead coming to life underscores the surreal and often contradictory nature of addiction. In the end, the protagonist realizes that fear was a thief and that living in constant fear is not truly living. However, this realization comes too late, as the protagonist has already succumbed to their addiction, leaving a poignant message about the devastating impact of substance abuse.