Madrid

Mecano's song 'Madrid' delves into the complexities and contradictions of living in a bustling metropolis. The lyrics reflect a sense of inevitability and lack of choice, as the narrator states, 'A unos le toca en Gambia y a otros en Pekín y a mí me tocó nacer en Madrid.' This line sets the tone for the song, emphasizing that being born in Madrid was neither a source of pride nor a trauma, but simply a fact of life. The city is depicted as a place of 'alquitrán, hierro, cemento y cristal' (tar, iron, cement, and glass), highlighting its industrial and modern characteristics.

The song captures the overwhelming nature of urban life, where 'caen sombras largas de edificios sobre mí' (long shadows of buildings fall over me) and the city seems to grow beneath the narrator's feet. This imagery conveys a sense of being dwarfed by the city's enormity and the relentless pace of life. The line 'Se ha hecho tan grande y tan pequeño para mí' (It has become so big and so small for me) encapsulates the paradox of feeling both insignificant and confined within the vast urban landscape.

Mecano also touches on the environmental and psychological impact of city living. The lyrics mention that some people cannot cope with the city's demands, while the narrator admits, 'yo ya sin humo no sé respirar' (I can't breathe without smoke anymore). This line poignantly illustrates the dependency on the city's polluted air, symbolizing how deeply ingrained urban life has become in the narrator's existence. Through 'Madrid,' Mecano paints a vivid picture of the love-hate relationship many people have with their cities, capturing the essence of modern urban life with its challenges and contradictions.