Walking Around

Los Miserables' song 'Walking Around' is a poignant exploration of existential fatigue and disillusionment with modern life. The lyrics, rich with vivid imagery and metaphors, convey a deep sense of weariness and frustration. The opening lines, 'Sucede que me canso de ser hombre,' set the tone for the entire piece, expressing a profound exhaustion with the human condition. The narrator feels trapped in a monotonous cycle, symbolized by mundane places like sastrerías (tailor shops) and cines (cinemas), which evoke a sense of lifelessness and decay.

The song delves into the sensory overload and emotional numbness that accompany this existential crisis. The mention of 'el olor de las peluquerías' (the smell of barbershops) causing the narrator to cry out in despair highlights the overwhelming nature of everyday experiences. The desire for a 'descanso de piedras o de lana' (a rest of stones or wool) signifies a longing for escape from the relentless demands of life. This yearning for respite is further emphasized by the rejection of societal constructs like establishments, gardens, and material possessions.

As the song progresses, the narrator's frustration morphs into a darker, more violent fantasy. The imagery of 'asustar a un notario con un lirio cortado' (scaring a notary with a cut lily) and 'dar muerte a una monja con un golpe de oreja' (killing a nun with a blow of the ear) reflects a desire to disrupt the oppressive order of society. This rebellion against the mundane is a cry for freedom from the suffocating constraints of existence. The song's conclusion, with its haunting depiction of decaying urban landscapes and forgotten objects, underscores the pervasive sense of despair and alienation. The narrator's journey through these desolate scenes, marked by 'calzoncillos, toallas y camisas que lloran' (underwear, towels, and shirts that cry), encapsulates the profound sorrow and disconnection that define the human experience in 'Walking Around.'