Los Locos Son Ellos

“Los Locos Son Ellos” by La Maravillosa Orquesta Del Alcohol (La M.O.D.A) is a powerful anthem that delves into the struggles of feeling trapped by both external and internal forces. The song opens with a monologue about the irritation caused by monotony and the necessity of continuous creation as a means of survival. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the themes of imprisonment and the quest for freedom.

The lyrics vividly describe a sense of being imprisoned both externally and internally. The lines “Cárcel tengo afuera, Cárcel por dentro” (I have a prison outside, a prison inside) highlight the dual nature of the protagonist's confinement. The external prison could symbolize societal constraints, while the internal prison represents personal struggles and mental barriers. The desire to break free is palpable, as the protagonist yearns to escape the internal prison even if the external one remains.

A recurring motif in the song is the idea of turning the sane (los cuerdos) into the insane (los locos) to reveal the true nature of madness. The chorus, “Locos a los cuerdos, Para que puedan ver, Que los locos son otros, Los locos son ellos” (Drive the sane crazy, so they can see, that the crazy ones are others, the crazy ones are them), suggests a reversal of roles and perspectives. It challenges societal norms and perceptions of sanity, implying that those who conform to monotony and societal expectations are the true 'crazy' ones.

The song also touches on themes of hope and liberation. The imagery of a shooting star and the invitation to imagine being free evoke a sense of possibility and the courage to break free from constraints. The call to “Echa a volar, imagínate: Libre al fin. Escápate” (Take flight, imagine: Free at last. Escape) is a powerful message of empowerment and the pursuit of true freedom.