Buenos Tiempos

Joan Manuel Serrat's song 'Buenos Tiempos' is a biting satire on the state of modern society. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where opportunists and charlatans thrive, while the majority silently endure the consequences. Serrat uses irony to highlight the absurdity of calling these 'good times' when they are, in fact, beneficial only to those who exploit and manipulate. The song critiques the moral decay and the prevalence of corruption, where disasters are either ignored or deliberately caused for personal gain.

The song's imagery is vivid and evocative. Phrases like 'bandada de los que se amoldan a todo' (flock of those who adapt to everything) and 'crimen impune y la caza de brujas' (impunity for crime and witch hunts) underscore the themes of conformity and injustice. Serrat's use of metaphors such as 'equilibristas' (tightrope walkers) and 'prestidigitadores' (magicians) suggests that society is full of people who deceive and distract, maintaining a facade of normalcy while chaos ensues.

Serrat also touches on the silent suffering of the majority, who 'aguantando el chaparrón' (endure the downpour) and 'come el pan nuestro de cada día' (eat their daily bread) while feeling trapped and powerless. The repetition of 'para los mismos de siempre' (for the same as always) emphasizes the cyclical nature of these issues, suggesting that the beneficiaries of these 'good times' are always the same privileged few. Through 'Buenos Tiempos,' Serrat delivers a powerful critique of societal inequalities and the resilience of those who endure them.