La Verónica - EADDA9223 (feat. Nathy Peluso)

Fito Páez's song 'La Verónica - EADDA9223' featuring Nathy Peluso is a rich tapestry of cinematic and religious imagery, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. The song opens with a scene that feels like a film, with the protagonist arriving in a city, unpacking, and lighting a cigarette. The reference to 'Portugal' and 'Roma' sets a European backdrop, evoking a sense of wanderlust and existential exploration. The protagonist's journey is both literal and metaphorical, as she navigates the streets and her own emotions, guided by a mysterious man down 'la calle del calvario' (the street of Calvary), a clear allusion to the path of suffering in Christian tradition.

The song's structure mimics a film script, with mentions of 'plano secuencia' (sequence shot) and 'toma veintidós' (take twenty-two), blurring the lines between reality and performance. This duality is further emphasized in the chorus, where 'todas las vidas cayeron al mar' (all lives fell into the sea), suggesting a sense of inevitability and the transient nature of existence. The protagonist's determination that 'su Verónica no iba a llorar' (her Verónica would not cry) speaks to a stoic resolve in the face of life's crucifixions, both literal and figurative.

The interplay between the characters adds depth to the narrative. The protagonist's desire to make someone happy contrasts with the man's wish for genuine love rather than an actress, highlighting the tension between authenticity and performance. The repeated imagery of 'el sudor de Cristo dibujado sobre un manto' (the sweat of Christ drawn on a mantle) serves as a poignant metaphor for sacrifice and suffering. The song's conclusion, with lives falling into the sea and the protagonist's repeated attempts to bring happiness, underscores the cyclical nature of human experience and the enduring quest for connection and meaning.