Stand By

The song "Standby" by Extremoduro, a Spanish rock band known for their poetic lyrics and raw sound, delves into themes of longing, unrequited love, and the escapism found in dreams and alcohol. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is constantly waiting and dreaming of a love that seems to be just out of reach. The repeated imagery of looking at a star ('Vive mirando una estrella') symbolizes an unattainable ideal or person that the protagonist is fixated on.

The use of alcohol, both ginebra (gin) and cerveza (beer), suggests a coping mechanism for dealing with the pain of this unfulfilled desire. The alcohol serves as a way to numb the senses and to evoke memories of the person they long for, as indicated by the lines that mention drinking to remember the color of their beloved's hair. The dreamlike state is a recurring motif, with the protagonist dreaming of the person they love and even dreaming within a dream, which emphasizes the distance between reality and their desires.

The song also touches on the idea of self-destruction and resignation. The protagonist seems to be aware that their longing might lead them to 'hell' ('Y si en el infierno le espera'), yet they express a willingness to merge with the fire of their passion, even if it consumes them like wax ('Quiero fundirme en tu fuego / Como si fuese de cera'). The state of 'always waiting' ('Siempre en estado de espera') is a powerful metaphor for a life spent in anticipation of something that may never come, highlighting the melancholy and persistent hope that defines the human condition.