Tiempo (feat. Vico C y Jovanotti)
Jarabe de Palo
The Ephemeral Nature of Time: A Lyrical Exploration
The song "Tiempo" by Jarabe de Palo, featuring Vico C and Jovanotti, delves into the abstract and often elusive concept of time. The lyrics poetically describe time as something that starts and ends, something that can be consumed but also runs out, and something that moves both slowly and quickly. The song's repetitive structure emphasizes the cyclical and relentless progression of time, highlighting its omnipresence in our lives.
The verses explore the paradoxical relationship humans have with time: it cannot be owned, stopped, or controlled, yet it is deeply intertwined with our emotions and experiences. The song suggests that time is indifferent to human desires—it does not listen or speak, and it never repeats or deceives. This personification of time as a curious element that behaves independently of human actions serves to remind listeners of their own mortality and the importance of living in the present.
The bilingual aspect of the song, with lyrics in both Spanish and Italian, adds a universal dimension to the message, suggesting that the experience of time is a shared human condition. The chorus, which states that a kiss or a dream lasts only as long as it does, reinforces the idea that time is the ultimate measure of our experiences. The song ultimately encourages listeners to understand, play, love, learn, think, and know—all actions that require time and are essential to the human experience.