Un viejo me pidió un beso

Isabel Parra's song "Un viejo me pidió un beso" is a poignant and playful exploration of personal boundaries and autonomy, set against the backdrop of traditional Chilean music. The song, performed in the cueca style, a traditional Chilean dance and musical form, uses vivid imagery and a touch of humor to convey its message. The lyrics tell the story of an old man who asks the narrator for a kiss, which she refuses to give. The refusal is not just a simple denial but is laden with meaning, as she compares the old man's kisses to unsalted eggs, implying they are unappealing and lack flavor or excitement.

The song continues with the old man, described as a 'devil,' ascending to the heavens and signaling to the narrator with a handkerchief, still attempting to win her affection. This imagery of the old man in the sky, waving and blowing kisses from amidst the clouds, adds a surreal and almost comical element to the narrative. It underscores the persistence of unwanted advances and the narrator's firm stance against them. The use of the cueca, a dance often associated with courtship and romantic pursuit, adds an ironic twist to the song, highlighting the contrast between traditional romantic gestures and the narrator's modern assertion of her right to refuse.

Isabel Parra, a prominent figure in the Nueva Canción Chilena movement, often used her music to address social and political issues. In this song, she subtly critiques societal expectations and norms regarding women's autonomy and consent. The playful yet firm tone of the song empowers the narrator, and by extension, the listener, to assert their boundaries and reject unwanted advances, no matter how persistent or socially accepted they may be.