Margaritas

Carlos Gardel's song "Margaritas" is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the bittersweet memories that linger long after a relationship has ended. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man reflecting on a past love, symbolized by a bouquet of flowers, specifically two white daisies. These daisies, or margaritas, serve as a metaphor for the duality of his emotions—one representing hope and the other despair.

The song begins with the narrator reminiscing about a time when he and his lover exchanged flowers. Now, he is left with only two daisies, which he uses to seek answers about his lost love. The act of plucking the petals, a common practice in love divination, reveals his inner turmoil. One daisy tells him that his lover still cares, while the other suggests that she has forgotten him. This duality captures the uncertainty and pain of unrequited love, as well as the hope that perhaps, one day, she might return.

As the song progresses, the narrator's sorrow deepens. He imagines his former lover also plucking the petals of the daisies he gave her, mirroring his own actions. This shared ritual of deshojar, or plucking, symbolizes their mutual suffering and longing. The broken petals become a metaphor for his shattered dreams and the lingering affection he still holds in his heart. Gardel's emotive delivery and the melancholic melody further amplify the sense of loss and yearning, making "Margaritas" a timeless reflection on the complexities of love and memory.