They're Only Words (Si Tu No Vuelves)

Miguel Bosé's song "They're Only Words (Si Tu No Vuelves)" delves into the transient and often fragile nature of words, especially in the context of love and promises. The lyrics reflect a deep sense of longing and the realization that words, no matter how heartfelt, can sometimes feel insubstantial and fleeting. Bosé questions whether the words spoken in moments of intimacy and passion can withstand the test of time and reality. This theme is poignantly captured in lines like "They're only words, whispered softly in the dark, did we both believe they could stand the light of day?" Here, the artist grapples with the idea that words, though powerful, may not always hold up under scrutiny or in the harsh light of day-to-day life.

The imagery of words being like grains of sand washed out to sea further emphasizes their ephemeral nature. As Bosé sings, "With every grain of sand that washes out to sea, I count them one by one, I count the cost of love," he underscores the idea that love and the words that express it are often subject to the relentless passage of time. The metaphor of counting grains of sand highlights the painstaking effort to hold onto something that is inherently difficult to grasp and retain.

Moreover, the song touches on the universal human experience of longing and the hope that love, despite its challenges, can endure. The repeated refrain, "If all the stars that shine on me shine on you, if all the natural desire is breaking through," suggests a cosmic connection and a natural, almost fated, desire that transcends mere words. Bosé acknowledges the skepticism that surrounds promises of love, often dismissed as fleeting or seasonal, but he also leaves room for the possibility that these words, and the love they represent, might defy such cynicism. The song beautifully captures the tension between the fragility of words and the enduring hope for love's return.