Obsesión

The song 'Obsesión' by Peter Manjarres, a Colombian Vallenato singer, delves into the depths of unrequited love and the pain of longing. The lyrics express the singer's intense fixation on a past lover, evident in the way he describes the impact of merely looking at her photograph. This obsession is portrayed as something beyond his control, a 'rare obsession' that stops him in his tracks. The singer pleads with God, questioning why there isn't a cure for the heartache of love, just as there are remedies for other ailments.

In the chorus, the singer wishes for the impossible: to reverse the earth's rotation, become young again, and avoid the pain of missing his love. This metaphorical wish for a second chance at life without the burden of heartache underscores the depth of his suffering. The reference to Barranquilla, a city known for its musical heritage, suggests a personal connection and perhaps where the love story unfolded. The singer sends a message to the city, asking it to tell his former lover that he wishes her happiness, even as he resigns himself to the fact that this might be the last song he composes for her, accepting the end of his romantic feelings.

The final verses touch on the changes in the singer's life post-breakup, including a loss of joy and a silent suffering. He asks for strength to continue and remembers significant moments, like her birthday in October, that he cannot seem to forget. The song is a poignant narrative of trying to move on from a love that has deeply marked one's life, and the struggle to find closure.