Muchacha (Ojos de Papel)

The song 'Muchacha (Ojos de Papel)' by Almendra is a poetic and tender ballad that captures the essence of youthful innocence and the desire to preserve a moment of beauty. Almendra, an Argentine rock band, is known for their poetic lyrics and their role in the development of rock music in Spanish, particularly in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The song's title, which translates to 'Girl with Paper Eyes,' immediately evokes a sense of fragility and delicacy, setting the tone for the rest of the lyrics.

The lyrics of the song are an invitation to a young girl, the 'muchacha,' to stay and savor the moment until dawn. The repeated pleas to 'stay until the dawn' and 'do not run anymore' suggest a longing to hold onto the present, to pause the fleeting nature of time. The girl is described with gentle and romantic imagery, such as 'small feet,' 'skin of rayon,' and 'sparrow's voice,' which contribute to the dreamlike atmosphere of the song. The singer offers to dream a slow dream between his hands and to build a castle with her belly, metaphors for creating a shared experience that is intimate and protective.

The refrain 'do not speak anymore, girl with a chalk heart' followed by 'when everything sleeps, I will steal a color' adds a layer of depth to the song. It implies a desire to capture the essence of the girl's spirit, to take a piece of her vibrancy and innocence, symbolized by the color, and keep it forever. The song's gentle melody and evocative lyrics create a sense of nostalgia and longing for a moment of pure connection and beauty that is all too brief.