19 Días y 500 Noches

Joaquín Sabina's '19 Días y 500 Noches' is a poignant ballad that delves into the depths of heartbreak and the struggle to move on from a lost love. The song's title, which translates to '19 Days and 500 Nights,' sets the stage for a tale of love that was intense but fleeting, much like 'two ice fish in a whiskey on the rocks,' a metaphor that captures the fragility and transient nature of the relationship.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the narrator's emotional state following the breakup. He describes himself as a 'nobody's dog barking at heaven's doors,' highlighting his feelings of abandonment and longing. The song's protagonist acknowledges that his lovers were right about his past wrongdoings, but this time he genuinely wanted to love and be loved, which makes the rejection even more painful. The imagery of being left with 'bitterness in a toiletry bag, honey on the lips, and frost in the hair' further emphasizes the mix of sweet memories and the cold reality of the separation.

Sabina's storytelling is rich with cultural references and metaphors. The mention of 'Cenicientas de saldo y esquina' (discounted Cinderellas) and 'Fino La Ina' (a brand of sherry) paints a picture of the narrator's descent into a life of vice and despair, seeking solace in the nightlife and substance abuse. The song's refrain, where he insists he did not overwhelm 'María' with cheap gifts or empty promises, suggests a deep regret and a realization of his own shortcomings. The repeated lines 'Tanto la quería / Que tardé en aprender a olvidarla / Diecinueve días / Y quinientas noches' ('I loved her so much / That it took me a long time to learn to forget her / Nineteen days / And five hundred nights') underscore the difficulty of moving on from a love that, despite its brevity, left an indelible mark on his heart.