Complaciente o Cruel

Obús's song 'Complaciente o Cruel' paints a stark and poignant picture of a young woman's struggle for survival in an unforgiving world. The narrative begins with her birth in a 'gray year,' suggesting a life that starts under bleak circumstances. At sixteen, she leaves her rural home in search of the 'promised land,' a metaphor for a better life, only to find herself disillusioned and trapped in a cycle of despair. The lyrics describe her boredom with studying English, a symbol of her failed attempts to integrate and improve her situation, and her physical transformation as time passes.

The song delves deeper into her plight, revealing her descent into substance abuse and prostitution. The 'lover of a syringe' and 'intimate friend of alcohol' lines highlight her dependency on drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms. Her daily routine is a grim reflection of her reality: she walks the streets, waiting for someone to stop their car, a metaphor for her waiting for any opportunity, no matter how degrading, to make ends meet. Her bank account is metaphorically kept in her sock, and her daily dose in her purse, emphasizing her precarious and transient existence.

The chorus, 'Complaciente o cruel, como quieras tú,' translates to 'Complacent or cruel, as you wish,' underscoring the duality of her situation. She is forced to be either accommodating or harsh, depending on what her survival demands. This line captures the essence of her struggle, where she must constantly adapt to the whims of those around her to survive. The song is a powerful commentary on the harsh realities faced by many who are marginalized and forced into desperate situations, highlighting the thin line between compliance and cruelty in the fight for survival.