Graffiti de Amor

Carlos Varela's song "Graffiti de Amor" tells a poignant story of a mysterious woman who uses graffiti as a medium to express her deep emotions and love. The song begins with her arrival in the dark, using her lipstick to draw symbols on the walls. This act of painting is not just a form of art but a profound expression of her soul. The imagery of her drawing 'miles de peces de un solo color' (thousands of fish of a single color) suggests a sense of unity and a singular, powerful emotion that she wants to share with the world.

As the city wakes up to find itself covered in her drawings, reactions are mixed. Some people are curious and seek to find out who dared to express so much, while others are quick to erase her work. This dichotomy highlights the societal struggle between the acceptance of raw, unfiltered emotion and the desire to maintain order and calm. The woman's relentless pursuit to paint, even on cars, signifies her unstoppable drive to communicate her feelings, regardless of societal constraints.

The climax of the song reveals a tragic twist: the authorities decide to ban such expressions to 'cuidar y encadenar la calma' (protect and chain the calm). With no place left to express her emotions, the woman turns to her own body, tattooing it with her 'tatuaje de amor' (tattoo of love). This act symbolizes the ultimate internalization of her feelings, a permanent mark of her love and pain. Varela's song is a powerful commentary on the suppression of emotional expression and the lengths to which individuals will go to make their voices heard.