Cigarettes

The song 'Cigarettes' by Russian Red, the stage name of Spanish indie and folk singer-songwriter Lourdes Hernández, delves into themes of regret and the passage of time. The lyrics express a sense of unfairness and frustration, as the protagonist feels that they are wasting time and resources on things that do not align with their heart or fault. The repeated lines about wasting time and money underscore a feeling of aimlessness and the cost of indecision or inaction.

The metaphor of 'all the cigarettes that I have never smoked and all the letters that I have never sent' suggests a life filled with unfulfilled desires and unexpressed thoughts. These lines evoke the image of someone reflecting on their past, contemplating the things they never did, the chances they never took, and the words they never shared. The mention of a man by the swimming pool who is afraid because 'it wasn't his time, it wasn't his chance' further emphasizes the theme of missed opportunities and the fear of taking risks.

Russian Red's music often features introspective lyrics and a minimalist style that allows the emotional weight of the words to resonate with listeners. 'Cigarettes' is a poignant example of her ability to capture the universal human experience of looking back on life with a mix of nostalgia and regret. The song's melancholic tone is reflective of the artist's folk influences and her talent for crafting deeply personal and relatable narratives through her music.