CadáVer Exquisito

Fito Páez's 'CadáVer Exquisito' is a rich tapestry of existential musings set to the rhythm of Argentine rock. The song title itself, 'CadáVer Exquisito,' refers to a collaborative drawing approach where participants add to a composition in sequence, unaware of the previous contributions, which results in a surprising and often disjointed creation. This serves as a metaphor for the unpredictability and fragmented nature of life and experiences.

The lyrics oscillate between reflections on the universal and the personal. Páez speaks of a 'sentimental light' that envelops and leaves, perhaps symbolizing fleeting moments of clarity or happiness in the midst of life's chaos. He touches on themes of love, pain, and the search for meaning, all set against the backdrop of his own contradictions and the harsh realities of the neighborhood from which he hails. The song's refrain, 'Tango, sexo, sexo y amor,' anchors the piece in the cultural fabric of Argentina, where tango is a dance intimately connected with passion and sorrow.

Páez's quest for his 'piedra filosofal' (philosopher's stone) represents a search for transformation and enlightenment. He references 'los siete locos' (The Seven Madmen), a novel by Argentine writer Roberto Arlt, suggesting a search for meaning through literature and the arts. The song's introspective nature and its exploration of the self, society, and the existential search for truth and beauty, all contribute to its profound and layered message. Páez's work often delves into such themes, using his music as a vehicle for philosophical inquiry and emotional expression.