La Cortina
La Sonora Dinamita
The Curtain of Choice: Analyzing La Sonora Dinamita's 'La Cortina'
La Sonora Dinamita's song 'La Cortina' presents a humorous and satirical take on the advice given to a young woman about marriage. The lyrics convey a conversation where the woman shares the counsel her mother gave her: to marry an older man rather than a younger one. The reasoning behind this advice is portrayed through a series of comparisons between the behaviors of an older husband and a younger one.
The older man is depicted as more responsible and attentive, bringing home fruits like guava and apple, and tending to go to sleep early due to fatigue. In contrast, the younger man is characterized as someone who parties hard, comes home late without bringing anything, and is likely to disturb the peace of the household. The phrase 'Es levantando la cortina' (lifting the curtain) metaphorically suggests the young man's disruptive entrance, possibly hinting at infidelity or simply a lack of consideration.
The song also touches on societal perceptions and the woman's defiance of them. Despite what people might say, she expresses a preference for the practical benefits of marrying an older man, using the saying 'Sarna con gusto no pica' (If it's with pleasure, the itch doesn't bother), indicating that she's willing to overlook certain drawbacks for the advantages she perceives. La Sonora Dinamita, known for their cumbia music, often includes playful and cheeky lyrics in their songs, and 'La Cortina' is a classic example of their style, blending humor with social commentary.