MCMLXXX (1980)

José Madero's 'MCMLXXX (1980)' is a poignant song that delves into the themes of heartbreak, longing, and the existential search for meaning within a relationship that has ended. The lyrics express the narrator's deep sense of loss and confusion after a breakup, where he feels compelled to leave his home due to his partner's fear of loneliness. This departure is not just physical but also emotional, as he struggles to understand why he can't stop seeing his former lover's face in others.

The song's chorus reveals a feeling of rejection, not just by the partner but also by a higher power, referred to as 'the author' or 'the creator,' who seems to have written the partner's smile and designed their life. This metaphor suggests a sense of destiny or fate that the narrator feels disconnected from, intensifying his sense of alienation. The repeated line 'Tengo el sentimiento de que no' ('I have the feeling that no') emphasizes a deep-seated belief that he is not favored by any force, be it in love or life.

The reference to 1980 as a 'Year of darkness' could symbolize a time of personal significance to the narrator or the artist, possibly a year of loss or change. The plea to stop singing love songs suggests a desire to move past superficial expressions of love and to confront the deeper, more painful realities. The song ends with a sense of resignation, as the 'singer' who tunes the narrator's 'engine'—a metaphor for the driving force in his life—has died, leaving him without direction or hope for healing.