Quiero Ser Santa
Parálisis Permanente
The Dark Desire for Sainthood in 'Quiero Ser Santa'
The song 'Quiero Ser Santa' by Parálisis Permanente, a Spanish post-punk band known for their dark and provocative lyrics, delves into the complex and perhaps ironic desire to achieve sainthood. The lyrics express a longing for the physical and spiritual marks of holiness, such as stigmata and incorruptibility, but they are presented in a way that suggests a deeper commentary on the nature of sanctity and the human fascination with it.
The repeated lines 'Quiero ser santa' and 'Quiero ser beata,' which translate to 'I want to be a saint' and 'I want to be beatified,' indicate a yearning for the recognition and veneration that come with these religious statuses. However, the desire for physical afflictions and the macabre wish for a body that remains undecayed after death hint at a more morbid fascination with the extremes of religious devotion. The song's tone and the band's punk background suggest a critical stance on the obsession with sainthood and the lengths to which people will go for spiritual validation.
Culturally, the song can be seen as a reflection of the tension between secular and religious values in post-Franco Spain, where Parálisis Permanente emerged. The band's use of religious imagery to convey a sense of rebellion and critique aligns with the punk movement's tendency to challenge established norms and provoke thought. 'Quiero Ser Santa' can be interpreted as a satirical take on the concept of sainthood, questioning the authenticity of such aspirations and the societal constructs that uphold them.