Alma

Simone's song 'Alma' delves into the intricate and multifaceted nature of the human soul. The lyrics explore various types of souls, each with its unique characteristics and emotional landscapes. The song begins by acknowledging souls that harbor secret pains and are perpetually open to suffering. These souls are contrasted with those that possess wisdom, desires, kindness, and love, suggesting a spectrum of emotional and moral experiences that define human existence.

The song continues to describe souls with empty spaces and fleeting loves, hinting at a sense of incompleteness and transient emotions. These souls experience a wild joy that borders on agony, almost becoming a profession in itself. This juxtaposition of joy and pain highlights the duality of human emotions and the complexity of living a life filled with both fleeting and profound experiences.

In the final stanza, Simone personalizes the narrative by describing her own soul. She speaks of a soul with a 'moreno' (dark-skinned) body, not always serene and not always explosive, but content to live alongside her. This soul follows her heart, suggesting a deep connection between her inner self and her emotional and physical being. The song beautifully captures the essence of the human soul, portraying it as a complex, ever-changing entity that navigates through various states of being, from joy to pain, from emptiness to fulfillment.