Barcelona Y Yo

Joan Manuel Serrat's song "Barcelona Y Yo" is a poetic and heartfelt tribute to the city of Barcelona. Through his lyrics, Serrat paints a vivid picture of the city's multifaceted nature, capturing its beauty, complexity, and contradictions. The song begins by describing the city's growth and transformation, noting how it expands with the arrival of new people. However, this growth comes at a cost, as the city loses touch with its roots and becomes increasingly chaotic and impersonal. Serrat laments the loss of the city's connection to its past, symbolized by the land beneath the asphalt, and the way it fills with 'prisoners' and 'Robinsons'—people who feel isolated and lost in the urban jungle.

Serrat's lyrics also highlight the many faces of Barcelona, from the idealistic vision of urban planner Ildefons Cerdà to the more problematic legacy of Mayor Josep Maria de Porcioles. He contrasts the city's beauty and vibrancy with its darker aspects, such as the rats that devour it and the pigeons that fly over it. The imagery of Barcelona bathing in the sea, climbing hills, and celebrating festivals like San Juan showcases its dynamic and lively spirit. Yet, Serrat also acknowledges the city's dual nature, as it can both embrace and reject him, symbolized by the city turning its back on him and giving him a hand.

In the final verses, Serrat expresses his deep, almost romantic love for Barcelona. He wants to experience the city in its entirety, with all its fantasies and scars. His affection is likened to the enthusiasm of a young recruit in love, emphasizing his passion and commitment to his city. The song's refrain, which repeats the phrase 'Mil perfumes y mil colores' (A thousand perfumes and a thousand colors), encapsulates the rich and diverse essence of Barcelona. Serrat's intimate connection with the city is further underscored by the old song that only he, the moon, and Barcelona know, symbolizing a shared history and deep bond.