Como Un Pez
Gabinete Caligari
The Elusive Nature of Fortune in 'Como Un Pez'
Gabinete Caligari's song 'Como Un Pez' delves into the theme of elusive fortune and the struggles of a man who feels perpetually unlucky. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man whose dreams and aspirations have slipped through his fingers, much like a fish that escapes one's grasp. This metaphor of luck being as slippery as a fish sets the tone for the entire song, emphasizing the fleeting and unpredictable nature of good fortune.
The protagonist of the song is depicted as a man who once had ambitions and dreams but now finds himself wandering aimlessly, begging for drinks at ports. His life is described as a series of unfortunate events, and he is portrayed as a 'kafkiano perdedor'—a Kafkaesque loser—suggesting a sense of existential despair and absurdity. The reference to Kafka hints at a deeper philosophical undertone, where the man's suffering and misfortune seem almost predetermined and inescapable.
The chorus reinforces the central metaphor, repeating that 'la suerte es como un pez'—luck is like a fish that slipped from his hands and sank like lead in water. This imagery not only highlights the man's sense of loss and hopelessness but also suggests that luck, once lost, is irretrievable. The song's melancholic tone and repetitive structure mirror the man's endless cycle of misfortune, making 'Como Un Pez' a poignant reflection on the capricious nature of luck and the human condition.