Los Mareados

“Los Mareados” by Juan Carlos Cobián is a poignant tango that delves deep into the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The song opens with a vivid metaphor, comparing the subject of the singer's affection to the softness of water and the freshness of a river, evoking a sense of purity and vitality. The imagery of 'naranjo en flor' (orange blossom) further enhances this sense of fleeting beauty and ephemeral moments, as the orange blossom is often associated with both the sweetness and the transience of life.

The lyrics then transition into a reflection on the stages of life and love. The singer suggests that one must first endure suffering, then experience love, and finally face departure, leading to a state of aimless wandering. This progression underscores the inevitability of pain and loss in the human experience. The 'perfume de naranjo en flor' symbolizes the lingering memories of a love that has vanished, carried away by the wind, leaving behind only the scent of what once was. The singer's resignation to the past, encapsulated in the line 'Toda mi vida es el ayer,' highlights a life overshadowed by memories, unable to move forward.

The song also touches on the theme of regret and self-blame. The singer questions what his hands might have done to cause such deep sorrow, suggesting a sense of guilt and helplessness. The 'dolor de vieja arboleda' (pain of an old grove) and 'canción de esquina' (corner song) evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time that can never be reclaimed. The recurring motif of 'naranjo en flor' ties these emotions together, symbolizing the bittersweet nature of love and the enduring pain of its loss.