Témpera

Manuel Garcia's song 'Témpera' is a rich tapestry of metaphor and emotion, weaving together themes of love, struggle, and the search for meaning. The lyrics open with the difficulty of expressing oneself without speaking, suggesting a struggle to communicate or to find one's place in the world. The reference to 'dragging the bull to hell by its horns' could symbolize confronting challenges head-on, no matter how difficult they may be.

The chorus introduces the concept of 'témpera,' a type of paint, which here symbolizes the blood that goes to the heart, perhaps representing passion or the essence of life that hardens over time. Garcia uses the imagery of searching for someone's fingerprints to paint trees as the blind would, indicating a deep longing to connect with someone on an intimate level, to understand their thoughts and feelings. The repetition of the word 'gigantes' (giants) emphasizes the magnitude of these thoughts and feelings.

The song also touches on the mundane aspects of life and how they can be transformed by love, as seen when the singer's 'girl' buys a dress, changing his perception of the entire country. The difficulty of playing guitar and making love are likened to the peeling of wallpaper and clinging to a plank during a shipwreck, suggesting that even the most intimate acts can feel unstable and transient. The song ends with a call for joy and dance, even in the face of adversity, and the desire to understand and embrace the complexities of one's emotions.