Para Eso Esta La Publicidad

Los Prisioneros' song "Para Eso Está La Publicidad" is a sharp critique of consumer culture and the pervasive influence of advertising. The lyrics reflect a sense of lost individuality and the overwhelming power of commercial interests in shaping personal desires and societal norms. The repetition of phrases like "He perdido mi criterio" (I've lost my criteria) and "Ya no tengo nada claro" (I no longer have anything clear) underscores a collective confusion and dependency on external validation provided by advertisements.

The song delves into the idea that people buy into trends and products not because they need them, but because they are told to do so by advertisements. This is evident in lines like "Compro lo que está de moda" (I buy what is fashionable) and "Quiero ser como esa gente que anuncia sonriente" (I want to be like those people who advertise smiling). The lyrics suggest that advertisements offer a false sense of security and happiness, filling a void in personal identity and self-worth. The repeated assertion that "Para eso está la publicidad" (That's what advertising is for) highlights the manipulative role of advertising in dictating lifestyle choices and creating a uniform, consumer-driven society.

Furthermore, the song critiques the superficial allure of high-class beauty and the idealized world presented in advertisements. The lines "Con su belleza de clase alta nos indican que nos falta para encontrar como ellos la felicidad" (With their high-class beauty, they show us what we lack to find happiness like them) point to the unrealistic standards and materialistic values promoted by advertising. The song suggests that this idealized world is an illusion, attainable only through the exchange of money, and ultimately, it offers a false sense of security that masks deeper insecurities and a lack of genuine personal identity.

"Para Eso Está La Publicidad" serves as a powerful commentary on the impact of consumerism and the ways in which advertising shapes our perceptions of happiness and self-worth. It calls into question the authenticity of the happiness sold to us and challenges listeners to reflect on their own values and the true sources of their contentment.