Amor de compra y venta
Los Chichos
The Torment of Forbidden Love
The song "Amor de compra y venta" by Los Chichos, a Spanish flamenco band known for their rumba flamenca style, delves into the complex emotions of a man in love with a woman who sells her body on the streets. The lyrics express the narrator's deep affection and the pain that comes with his beloved's profession. The song's title, which translates to "Love of Buy and Sell," directly points to the transactional nature of the woman's relationships with others, contrasting sharply with the genuine love the narrator feels for her.
The narrator admits to never having been in love before and now that he is, he understands the pain that can accompany such deep affection. He describes his love as essential to his life, comparing the potential loss of this love to a ship without a rudder, aimless and out of control. This metaphor highlights the depth of his emotional dependence on her and the chaos he anticipates should they ever part.
The song also touches on themes of jealousy and societal judgment. The man is tormented by jealousy, knowing that others are with the woman he loves, and he is aware of the gossip and criticism she faces. Despite these challenges, his love persists, though it causes him great anguish. The repetition of the phrase "Tengo un amor en la calle" (I have a love on the street) emphasizes the constant presence of this love in his life, as well as the ongoing struggle he faces in reconciling his feelings with the reality of her profession.