El Tercer Dia

Nacho Vegas' song 'El Tercer Dia' delves deep into the emotional turmoil and existential despair of its protagonist. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who, for the third consecutive day, wakes up to an empty bed and a sense of overwhelming loneliness. The repetition of religious invocations, 'Jesús, José y María,' underscores his desperation and search for solace. The third day is depicted as the worst, with the protagonist on his knees, feeling utterly defeated and foolish, scratching the floor in a futile attempt to find some form of relief or escape.

The song further explores the protagonist's introspection and guilt. He makes lists of people he has been with, marking in red those he has hurt. This act of self-reflection reveals a deep sense of remorse and self-loathing, as his own name appears frequently among the injured. The vivid red symbolizes the pain and regret that haunt him, making it almost unbearable to look at. The protagonist's lamentation about having three more days to endure highlights his sense of entrapment in a seemingly endless cycle of suffering.

As the song progresses, the protagonist's attempts to change his environment, such as rearranging furniture, prove futile, symbolizing his inability to alter his internal state. The mention of December as the cruelest month, contrary to T.S. Eliot's famous line about April, emphasizes the depth of his despair. Each day feels like an eternity, and his only goal is to survive until the fourth day. However, the repetition of 'otro día más' (another day more) in the latter part of the song underscores the relentless and monotonous passage of time, suggesting that his suffering will continue indefinitely. This repetition creates a sense of inescapable doom, as each day blends into the next, with no end in sight.