No Hago Otra Cosa Que Pensar En Ti (part. Joan Manuel Serrat)

Joaquín Sabina's song "No Hago Otra Cosa Que Pensar En Ti," featuring Joan Manuel Serrat, is a poignant exploration of the artist's struggle with inspiration and the overwhelming presence of a loved one in his thoughts. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a poet who is consumed by his feelings for someone, to the point where he can think of nothing else. Despite his efforts to write a song, he finds himself lost in a sea of worn-out words, unable to capture the essence of his emotions. This frustration is palpable as he repeatedly states, "No hago otra cosa que pensar en ti" (I do nothing but think of you), yet he is unable to produce anything meaningful.

The song delves into the mundane distractions that pull the poet away from his creative process. Lighting cigarette after cigarette, he contemplates quitting smoking, a habit that seems to symbolize his struggle with finding inspiration. He looks to the sky for a spark of creativity but ends up fixating on the need to paint the ceiling. These everyday interruptions highlight the poet's sense of being stuck, unable to channel his thoughts into art. The mention of a neighbor scratching himself and a girl on a bicycle further emphasizes the trivial distractions that keep him from his muse.

Ultimately, the song reflects the artist's deep frustration with his inability to write. He acknowledges that the muses, the mythical sources of inspiration, have abandoned him, possibly taking a vacation or leaving with "el Nano" (a nickname for Serrat). This sense of abandonment by the muses underscores the poet's feeling of helplessness and creative block. Despite his love for songwriting, he finds himself at a loss, unable to translate his thoughts into verses. The song beautifully captures the universal struggle of artists to find inspiration and the often-overwhelming presence of love in their lives.