Viejo

Los Suaves' song 'Viejo' delves into the stark and often painful realities of aging. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of an old man who is now facing the consequences of a life filled with excesses—alcohol, rock 'n' roll, and fleeting relationships. The opening lines set the tone, highlighting how society tends to discard the elderly, leaving them to grapple with the physical and emotional toll of their past choices. The song poignantly describes the old man's physical decay, with 'saliva are drools' and 'wrinkles and gray hair' symbolizing the relentless march of time.

The song also explores the old man's internal struggles. He is depicted as someone who has confused material wealth with love, and now finds himself disillusioned and alone. The lyrics suggest that his attempts to offer advice are seen as hypocritical, given his own failures. The recurring theme of 'confusing years with age, sadness with loneliness, and fear with destiny' underscores the complexity of his emotional state. The old man is portrayed as a tragic figure, a 'son of sadness, decadence, and the night,' who is now mocked by the very elements he once indulged in.

In the latter part of the song, the lyrics take on a more philosophical tone, questioning the inevitability of fate and the irreversible nature of time's impact. The old man is urged to stop lamenting and to face death with a sense of finality, even defiance. The metaphor of buying a mirror to see the demon within oneself is particularly striking, suggesting that the true enemy lies within. The song concludes with a somber reflection on the futility of trying to correct the past, encapsulated in the line, 'Who can straighten what God has twisted?' Through its raw and unflinching lyrics, 'Viejo' offers a powerful commentary on the inevitability of aging and the harsh judgments that often accompany it.