Ciudad de Bajas Pasiones

Enrique Bunbury's song 'Ciudad de Bajas Pasiones' paints a vivid picture of a night in Ciudad Juárez, a city often associated with crime, passion, and a certain rawness. The lyrics begin with the aftermath of a long night, hinting at the lingering effects of a wild, perhaps dangerous, adventure. The mention of narcocorridos—songs that narrate the lives of drug traffickers—by bands like Tigres del Norte and Tucanes de Tijuana sets the tone for a narrative steeped in the gritty realities of the drug trade and the defiance against authority figures like Fox, likely referring to former Mexican President Vicente Fox.

The song's chorus, with its call for tequila, lemons, and salt, evokes a sense of camaraderie and resilience. It suggests that in the face of adversity, the characters in the song choose to let their hearts guide them, even if it means resorting to bribery ('mordida') to navigate through the challenges. This reflects a broader cultural commentary on the ways people cope with the harsh realities of life in such environments, using music, alcohol, and a sense of community as their anchors.

The narrative continues with a scene at customs, where a sergeant tries to halt their journey, but the group, undeterred, manages to smuggle marijuana onto a plane. This act of defiance and the casual mention of 'el chino ilegal' (the illegal Chinese) highlight the themes of lawlessness and survival. Bunbury's lyrics capture the essence of a place where rules are bent, and survival often depends on one's wits and willingness to take risks. The song is a raw, unfiltered look at life on the edge, where passion and danger intertwine, and the heart often leads the way, no matter the cost.