La Bartola

The song 'La Bartola' by Pedro Infante, a beloved Mexican actor and singer, is a humorous take on domestic financial management and the struggles of a working-class household. The lyrics depict a man, presumably the husband, who is handing over his modest earnings to his wife, Bartola, with specific instructions on how to allocate the funds. He instructs her to pay for the rent, the telephone, and the electricity, and then to use whatever is left for her personal expenses, while also saving some for his 'alicur,' which is likely a colloquial term for a personal treat or luxury.

The song's protagonist seems to be both proud and resigned to the fact that he gives all his earnings to his wife, emphasizing that he hands over 'peso sobre peso' until it totals two pesos, a small amount that humorously highlights the couple's financial constraints. The man's instructions to save and be conservative with money, even suggesting that careful saving could lead to purchasing a luxurious mink coat, are delivered with a sense of irony, as the amount he provides is clearly insufficient for such extravagances.

'La Bartola' is a playful commentary on the economic challenges faced by many during the time of Pedro Infante, and it resonates with the working-class audience through its relatable subject matter and light-hearted tone. Infante's music often touched on themes of love, patriotism, and everyday life, and this song is a fine example of how he could inject humor into the otherwise serious issue of financial hardship.