Los Libros de la Buena Memoria

Gustavo Cerati's song 'Los Libros de la Buena Memoria' is a poetic exploration of memory, longing, and the passage of time. The lyrics are rich with metaphors and vivid imagery, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. The song opens with the image of wine warming dreams, suggesting a sense of nostalgia and the bittersweet nature of memories. The mention of 'los libros de la buena memoria' (the books of good memory) evokes a sense of cherished moments preserved in the mind, akin to a blind person listening to the sea, relying on other senses to experience the world.

Cerati's lyrics often blend the personal with the universal, and this song is no exception. The lines 'Mi voz le llegará / Mi boca también / Tal vez le confiaré / Que eras el vestigio del futuro' (My voice will reach you / My mouth too / Maybe I'll confide / That you were the vestige of the future) suggest a deep connection with someone from the past, whose presence still lingers in the present and shapes the future. The interplay of light and shadow, as seen in 'Rojas y verdes luces del amor / Prestidigitan bajo un halo de rush' (Red and green lights of love / Conjure under a halo of rush), adds to the mystical quality of the song, hinting at the elusive nature of love and memory.

The song also touches on themes of waiting and uncertainty. The repeated imagery of standing and waiting, as in 'Parado estoy aquí / Esperándote' (I am standing here / Waiting for you), conveys a sense of longing and the passage of time. The final verses, with their references to an empty bottle and the appearance of tigers in the rain, suggest a culmination of this waiting, a realization that some things may never return or be the same. Cerati's use of surreal and symbolic language throughout the song creates a rich tapestry of emotions, making 'Los Libros de la Buena Memoria' a poignant reflection on the nature of memory and the human experience.