Balada Para Un Loco

“Balada Para Un Loco” by Horacio Ferrer is a poetic and whimsical exploration of love and madness set against the vibrant backdrop of Buenos Aires. The song opens with a vivid description of the city's unique charm, capturing the essence of its streets and the surreal experiences that can unfold there. The protagonist, a self-proclaimed 'loco' (crazy person), emerges from behind a tree, adorned in eccentric attire, symbolizing his departure from societal norms and his embrace of a fantastical reality. This character invites the listener to join him in his whimsical world, where inanimate objects come to life, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

The lyrics transition into a sung section where the protagonist acknowledges his madness, yet finds beauty and freedom in it. He sees the moon rolling down Callao Street and imagines a parade of astronauts and children dancing around him. This imagery reflects his desire to escape the mundane and to experience life through a lens of wonder and imagination. He invites his beloved to join him in this dance of madness, promising to awaken her heart with his poetic and musical expressions. The repeated calls to 'volá' (fly) emphasize the theme of liberation and the transcendence of conventional boundaries.

In the recited section, the protagonist's invitation becomes more urgent and passionate. He envisions a shared journey of love and madness, where they defy gravity and societal expectations. The mention of an angel, a soldier, and a child joining their dance suggests a universal acceptance of their unconventional love. The song culminates in a celebratory declaration of their shared madness, urging the beloved to embrace this 'magical total madness' and to live and love freely. Ferrer's lyrics, rich with metaphors and cultural references, paint a picture of a love that is both intense and liberating, challenging the listener to reconsider the boundaries between sanity and madness, reality and fantasy.