Te Están Buscando (feat. Willie Colón)
Rubén Blades
The Cautionary Tale of a Debt-Dodger: Rubén Blades' 'Te Están Buscando'
Rubén Blades' song 'Te Están Buscando,' featuring Willie Colón, is a narrative set to the rhythms of salsa, telling the story of a man who is being hunted down for his debts. The lyrics serve as a warning, cautioning the man to be careful wherever he goes because people are looking for him. The repetition of 'Cuida'o' (be careful) emphasizes the urgency and danger he faces.
The song delves into the consequences of the man's 'mala maña,' or bad habit, of not paying his debts. It paints a vivid picture of the social repercussions of his actions, suggesting that the entire neighborhood is aware of his misdeeds. The lyrics mention a 'carro negro de antena larga' (black car with a long antenna), which is likely a reference to law enforcement or some form of organized crime authority, indicating the severity of his situation. The mention of 'los de la seguridad' (the security) further implies that the man's actions have attracted the attention of powerful and potentially dangerous figures.
The song also touches on themes of community impact and personal responsibility. The man's actions have not only put him in danger but have also brought trouble to his neighborhood, as indicated by the lines about the government pushing citizens and asking for identification. The character Madame Calalú's prediction that 'something bad was going to happen' suggests a broader sense of foreboding and the idea that individual actions can have wider, negative consequences.