El Amor Desolado

Alberto Cortez's 'El Amor Desolado' is a poignant ballad that delves into the depths of unrequited love and the despair that follows a one-sided relationship. The song's title, which translates to 'Desolate Love,' sets the tone for the heart-wrenching narrative that unfolds through the lyrics. Cortez uses a series of contrasting images to illustrate the imbalance in the relationship, where the narrator's efforts and emotional investments are met with indifference and detachment from his partner.

The song's verses are structured around the juxtaposition of what the narrator contributes to the relationship versus what his partner does—or rather, does not—contribute. This imbalance is symbolized through metaphors such as the narrator offering 'effort' while the partner offers 'lack of enthusiasm,' or the narrator being 'root and path' while the partner remains 'distance.' The imagery of trying to hold water in one's hands or building a house on sand further emphasizes the futility of the narrator's attempts to solidify the relationship.

The culmination of the song is tragic, as the narrator describes the partner's departure and his subsequent actions to cope with the loss. The use of 'black roses' and 'white roses' symbolizes mourning and remembrance, respectively. The final verse reveals the narrator's ultimate sacrifice—taking his own life as a metaphor for the depth of his despair. The repetition of 'I put everything, life, body, and soul' underscores the totality of his commitment, in stark contrast to the partner's absence of contribution, leaving listeners with a haunting reflection on the pain of loving without reciprocation.