De Una Buena Vez
Cornelio Reyna
The Agony of Unrequited Love in 'De Una Buena Vez'
Cornelio Reyna's song 'De Una Buena Vez' delves deep into the torment of unrequited love and the yearning for closure, no matter how painful it might be. The lyrics are a poignant plea from someone who is deeply in love but is met with disdain and rejection. The protagonist asks for the rejection to be absolute and unequivocal, preferring a definitive end over lingering in a state of uncertainty and partial disdain. This desire for a clear-cut end, even if it means enduring the most excruciating emotional pain, highlights the depth of their emotional turmoil.
The song employs vivid and dramatic metaphors to convey the intensity of the protagonist's feelings. Phrases like 'dame mil cachetadas por besos' (give me a thousand slaps for kisses) and 'que con leña verde me habrás de quemar' (that with green wood you will burn me) illustrate the extreme measures the protagonist is willing to endure to achieve a sense of finality. These metaphors not only emphasize the protagonist's suffering but also their desperation for a resolution, no matter how brutal it might be.
Cornelio Reyna, known for his contributions to the ranchera and norteño genres, often explores themes of love, heartbreak, and rural life in his music. 'De Una Buena Vez' is no exception, capturing the raw and unfiltered emotions associated with love and rejection. The song's cultural context is rooted in the traditional Mexican music scene, where expressions of deep emotional pain and dramatic storytelling are common. Reyna's heartfelt delivery and the song's evocative lyrics resonate with listeners who have experienced the anguish of unreciprocated love, making it a timeless piece in his repertoire.