Reloj Ingrato

The song 'Reloj Ingrato' by José y el Toro is a poignant reflection on the subjective nature of time as experienced through the lens of love and longing. The lyrics speak to the heart's perception of time, which seems to stretch and shrink based on the presence or absence of a loved one. The title itself, which translates to 'Ungrateful Clock,' hints at the singer's frustration with time's relentless march, which is indifferent to human emotion.

In the verses, the singer addresses his heart, questioning its whereabouts and lamenting the slow passage of time when separated from his beloved. The imagery of buying at the corner store and the time it takes being an eternity captures the agony of waiting for someone you love. Conversely, when the loved one is near, time flies by, making every moment precious and fleeting. This dichotomy illustrates how love can alter our experience of time, making it a friend when we are with our beloved and a foe when we are apart.

The chorus of the song is a plea to the clock to strike a deal, to freeze time when the couple is together and to hasten its pace when they are apart. This anthropomorphizing of the clock gives the song a whimsical yet desperate tone, as the singer seeks to negotiate with an inanimate object for more time with his love. The repeated request for the clock to 'congélate el rato' (freeze the moment) or 'acelera' (hurry up) when she is gone, underscores the universal desire to hold onto the joyful moments and rush through the painful ones.