Nombres Impropios

Joaquín Sabina's song 'Nombres Impropios' delves into the complexities of relationships and the enigmatic nature of the women he encounters. The lyrics are rich with metaphors and personifications, giving each woman a symbolic name that reflects her essence and the impact she has on the narrator's life. These names—Osadía (Daring), Herejía (Heresy), and Ironía (Irony)—serve as a poetic device to explore themes of deception, desire, and the elusive nature of truth in romantic entanglements.

The song opens with the narrator reflecting on a woman named Osadía, who, despite her daring nature, had the cowardice to warn him from the start. This paradox sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the narrator grapples with the duality of truth and lies. The women in his life are portrayed as complex beings who defy simple categorization, embodying both allure and danger. The line 'No se puede afirmar que me engañaba cuando me mentía' (I can't say she deceived me when she lied) encapsulates this ambiguity, suggesting that the narrator is complicit in his own deception.

Sabina's lyrics also touch on the transient and often tumultuous nature of these relationships. The women are described as having 'siete vidas y dos ojos de gata callejera' (seven lives and the eyes of a street cat), emphasizing their independence and unpredictability. The recurring theme of unmet promises and the struggle to 'llegar a fin de mes' (make it to the end of the month) without financial concerns highlights the emotional and existential challenges the narrator faces. These relationships are not about material stability but about navigating the emotional highs and lows that come with loving such enigmatic figures.

In the end, the song leaves the listener with a sense of longing and unresolved tension. The final woman, named Utopía (Utopia), represents an ideal that is always just out of reach. The narrator's admission that he likes to imagine she deceived him when she left underscores the bittersweet nature of these relationships. They are filled with passion and intensity but ultimately leave him feeling orphaned and yearning for what could have been. Sabina masterfully captures the essence of these complex emotions, making 'Nombres Impropios' a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the human condition.