Los Ejecutivos

María Elena Walsh's song 'Los Ejecutivos' is a sharp and satirical critique of the corporate world and the executives who dominate it. Through clever lyrics and vivid imagery, Walsh paints a picture of a world where power and success are concentrated in the hands of a few, often at the expense of genuine human values and connections.

The song opens by highlighting the disparity in the world, suggesting that it has never been a place for everyone, but rather for a select few. The 'señor' with his briefcase at the airport symbolizes the modern executive, always on the move, always busy, but disconnected from the natural world ('cultiva un maletín pero ninguna flor'). This image sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the executive is portrayed as a figure who is perpetually smiling and clean-shaven, giving the illusion of a perfect life while playing a game that only a few can win.

Walsh uses irony to emphasize the superficiality and emptiness of the executive lifestyle. The repeated refrain 'Ay!, que vivos son los ejecutivos' underscores the cunning and shrewdness of these individuals, who seem to have everything under control ('la sartén por el mango y el mango también'). Yet, their lives are depicted as a series of transitions from one luxurious setting to another, devoid of true substance or meaning. The executive's life is a performance, a constant effort to maintain an image of success and superiority.

The song also touches on the dehumanizing aspects of the corporate world. Executives are shown as people who do not eat to set an example of maximum efficiency and comfort, digesting by phone and selling 'conciencias puras de robot.' This line suggests that they have become more machine than human, prioritizing productivity over personal well-being. The final verses of the song highlight the absurdity of their existence, as they sacrifice everything for wealth and status, even advising others to save for 'estatus en la muerte' and 'la eternidad en un reloj.'

'Los Ejecutivos' is a powerful commentary on the modern corporate world, using humor and irony to expose the hollow nature of a life driven by material success and social status.