Extranjero

Maria Gadú's song "Extranjero" delves into the emotional landscape of feeling like an outsider, both physically and emotionally. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who has become a foreigner in the eyes of a loved one. The phrase "Ahora yo soy para ti / Solamente un extranjero" (Now I am for you / Only a foreigner) sets the tone for the entire song, highlighting the sense of alienation and disconnection. Despite this, the protagonist's love remains whole, even if their life feels divided into two halves.

The song uses powerful metaphors to convey its themes. The lines "Mis canciones en las lineas / Finitas de la frontera" (My songs in the finite lines of the border) suggest that the protagonist's expressions and emotions are confined by invisible boundaries. The recurring imagery of travel and distance, with mentions of cities like Buenos Aires, Asunción, and Madrid, emphasizes the physical and emotional distances that separate the protagonist from their past and their loved ones. The train metaphor, "El tren después de la partida" (The train after the departure), symbolizes the irreversible journey away from what once was familiar.

Maria Gadú's musical style, often characterized by its soulful and introspective nature, complements the song's themes of longing and displacement. The repetition of the word "forastero" (foreigner) underscores the protagonist's desire to belong and the pain of feeling out of place. The song's emotional depth is further enriched by its exploration of dreams and illusions, as seen in the lines "Mis sueños, mirajes, quimera" (My dreams, mirages, chimera). These elements combine to create a poignant narrative of love, loss, and the search for identity in a world that feels increasingly foreign.