Por Ti
Ismael Serrano
A Love Letter to Madrid: The Poetic Yearning in 'Por Ti' by Ismael Serrano
Ismael Serrano's 'Por Ti' is a poignant and evocative ballad that captures the essence of longing and unfulfilled love, set against the backdrop of Madrid. The song's lyrics are rich with imagery and metaphors, painting a vivid picture of a love that is both deeply felt and painfully out of reach. The rain, a recurring motif, symbolizes the tears and sorrow that accompany the singer's yearning. The act of writing a name in the fog on a window and sending a kiss through the glass highlights the physical and emotional distance between the lovers.
The song also delves into the theme of missed opportunities and the pain of separation. The mention of a jazz bar in Madrid serves as a poignant reminder of a place where the singer's emotions were too overwhelming to bear. This setting becomes a symbol of both connection and loss, a place where the singer's truth burns like a wound. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and a desire to be with the beloved, to the point of forgetting one's own language and identity.
Serrano's lyrics are imbued with a sense of ritual and intimacy, as seen in the lines about waking up with the beloved and exploring the 'dunes' of their skin. The imagery of an oasis and sinking into the beloved's body evokes a sense of refuge and deep connection. However, the song also acknowledges the harsh reality of potential separation, with the singer contemplating the difficulty of surviving alone in Madrid. The final verses reflect a longing for revolution and change, both personal and collective, as the singer dreams of a future where their love can flourish.