Amor de Telefono Esquinero
Rockdrigo González
The Bittersweet Reality of Corner Phone Love
Rockdrigo González's song 'Amor de Telefono Esquinero' delves into the poignant and often harsh realities of love and sacrifice. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who has given up everything for a relationship, only to find himself abandoned and questioning his choices. The opening lines reveal the extent of his sacrifices: he has erased his wife, home, parrot, and shop from his life, even Brenda, all for the sake of this love. Yet, despite these sacrifices, he finds himself alone, without the very things he gave up, leading him to ponder how one can cope when left with nothing, much like the proverbial 'dog with two tortas' who ends up with neither.
The song continues to explore the theme of loss and disillusionment. The protagonist has thrown away friends, bottles, cigarettes, and even his sense of identity, represented by 'republics and states,' for this love. Despite these drastic measures, he remains alone, prompting further introspection about the futility of his sacrifices. The repeated question, 'how do you cope when you end up like the dog with two tortas?' underscores the sense of regret and the realization that his efforts were in vain.
The chorus, 'ah que este amor de telefono esquinero,' highlights the transient and unreliable nature of this 'corner phone love.' The metaphor of the 'corner phone' suggests a love that is fleeting and dependent on small, momentary connections, much like the coins ('veintes') needed to keep the conversation going. When the coins run out, so does the love, leaving the protagonist to reflect on the impermanence of his relationship. The final lines, 'get more coins if you want to love again,' serve as a bitter reminder that love, in this context, is transactional and ephemeral, requiring constant effort and resources to sustain.