Piel De Manzana

Joan Manuel Serrat's song "Piel De Manzana" is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of youth and the bittersweet memories of first love. The title, which translates to "Apple Skin," metaphorically represents the delicate and tempting nature of a young girl's beauty. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a girl who once captivated her neighborhood, drawing admirers like moths to a flame. This imagery underscores her allure and the innocence of her youth, which is as fragile as porcelain.

The song delves deeper into the emotional impact of lost innocence. The girl's heart, described as a "porcelain heart," is easily shattered, symbolizing the vulnerability and fragility of young love. The reference to her smile being "drunk in one gulp" suggests how quickly and carelessly her joy was taken away. The arrival of spring, a season typically associated with renewal and growth, is ironically hurried, indicating that her time of innocence and happiness was cut short.

Serrat's lyrics also express a deep sense of regret and nostalgia. The narrator curses the inability to relive those moments of hidden promises and secret rendezvous. The mention of "muchachas tristes" (sad girls) who blossomed on his streets but had little written in their notebooks by spring further emphasizes the theme of lost potential and unfulfilled dreams. The song concludes with the arrival of winter, symbolizing the end of youth and the onset of a colder, more desolate phase of life. Through "Piel De Manzana," Serrat masterfully captures the ephemeral beauty of youth and the inevitable passage of time, leaving listeners with a haunting sense of what once was and what could have been.