Tengo Unos Celos Que Matan

Hernaldo Zuñiga's song 'Tengo Unos Celos Que Matan' delves deep into the intense and often destructive emotion of jealousy. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person consumed by jealousy, unable to escape the tormenting thoughts that arise from their partner's actions and interactions with others. The repeated phrase 'Tengo unos celos que matan' (I have a jealousy that kills) underscores the severity of these feelings, suggesting that the jealousy is so intense it feels life-threatening.

The song's narrative reveals the protagonist's struggle with their partner's behavior, which they perceive as provocative and inviting attention from others. The lines 'a ese andar tan descarado / al desafio de tus labios / que a gritos piden ser besados' (to that shameless walk / to the challenge of your lips / that scream to be kissed) highlight the protagonist's perception of their partner as flirtatious and the source of their jealousy. This perception leads to a constant state of anxiety and suspicion, as the protagonist imagines others undressing their partner with their minds.

Zuñiga also touches on the internal conflict and self-doubt that accompany jealousy. The protagonist questions their partner's past relationships and current interactions, as seen in 'por cada hombre que amaste / y cuando no estoy contigo / me pregunto con quien hablas' (for every man you loved / and when I'm not with you / I wonder who you talk to). This constant questioning and the partner's occasional silence, described in 'si de repente te callas / con aire de estar ausente' (if you suddenly fall silent / with an air of being absent), exacerbate the protagonist's feelings of insecurity and mistrust. The song captures the painful and consuming nature of jealousy, illustrating how it can poison a relationship and the mind of the one who feels it.