La Vieja Del Zaguán

El Cuarteto de Nos, a renowned Uruguayan rock band known for their satirical and often surreal lyrics, presents a haunting and thought-provoking narrative in 'La Vieja Del Zaguán.' The song delves into themes of identity, perception, and the blurred lines between reality and delusion. The protagonist encounters an old woman lying in a hallway ('zaguán'), and this seemingly simple event spirals into a profound existential crisis.

The lyrics describe the protagonist's fixation on the old woman, whose disturbed gaze seems to distort the reality around them. This fixation leads to a disorienting experience where the protagonist questions their own identity and perception. The repeated imagery of the 'zaguán' serves as a metaphor for a threshold or a liminal space, symbolizing the boundary between different states of being or consciousness. The protagonist's confusion about whether they are observing the old woman or being observed by her underscores the theme of self-identity and the fluidity of the self.

As the song progresses, the protagonist's sense of self continues to unravel. They experience physical pain and disorientation, further blurring the lines between themselves and the old woman. The climax of the song reveals a complete transformation, where the protagonist becomes the old woman in the 'zaguán.' This transformation can be interpreted as a metaphor for the loss of self or the merging of identities, highlighting the fragility and complexity of human perception and existence. El Cuarteto de Nos masterfully uses surreal and unsettling imagery to explore deep philosophical questions, making 'La Vieja Del Zaguán' a compelling and enigmatic piece of art.