Caballito De Hierro
Attaque 77
The Iron Horse: A Tale of Love and Loss
Attaque 77's song "Caballito De Hierro" paints a vivid picture of Buenos Aires waking up before dawn, setting the stage for a narrative filled with passion, love, and inevitable loss. The lyrics describe the morning as a 'verdugo' or executioner, ending the protagonist's hours of brilliant passion. This metaphor suggests that the night represents a time of freedom and intense emotion, while the morning brings harsh reality and the end of those fleeting moments.
The 'caballito de hierro' or 'iron horse' is a metaphor for a motorcycle, which meets its demise under the wheels of a beast, symbolizing a tragic accident. The protagonist's heart is intertwined with the fate of this iron horse, indicating a deep emotional connection to the motorcycle, which could also represent a lost love or a cherished memory. The imagery of the motorcycle writhing on the asphalt alongside the protagonist's heart emphasizes the pain and loss experienced.
The song delves into the duality of love and madness, describing a journey through a paradise of love or a hell of insanity. Despite knowing the risks, the protagonist insists on playing the game of love, indicating a willingness to embrace vulnerability. The lyrics also touch on the fear of losing what one loves, encapsulated in the line about not getting too attached to avoid suffering. This reflects a universal theme of the human condition: the struggle between the desire for deep connections and the fear of inevitable loss.