Duele

The song 'Duele' by Elida Y Avante, a Tejano band known for their fusion of cumbia, Latin rhythms, and pop, is a poignant expression of heartbreak and betrayal. The lyrics tell the story of a person who is left with a 'deep wound' as their loved one departs at a time when their affection was at its peak. The narrator had been led to believe in a joyful, shared future, only to discover that they were the last to know about their partner's infidelity. This revelation shatters the illusion that sustained their love, causing immense emotional pain.

The song's chorus, with the repeated line 'Y duele, ay! por Dios como me duele,' which translates to 'And it hurts, oh! God how it hurts,' emphasizes the depth of the narrator's anguish. The illusion that nourished their love collapses due to a 'bad heart'—a metaphor for the partner's deceitful nature. In an attempt to cope with the pain, the narrator resolves to drown their sorrows in alcohol, specifically 'three bottles of tequila.' This act of drinking to forget is a common theme in songs about heartbreak, symbolizing both the desire to escape reality and the depth of the narrator's despair.

The song also touches on themes of solidarity and shared experience. The narrator calls on the bartender to serve drinks to everyone, asking them to toast in their honor. This gesture reflects a moment of vulnerability, where the narrator abandons their usual composure ('forget my position of being a woman this time') and seeks comfort in the company of others who have faced similar betrayals. The communal act of raising glasses and forgetting the pain together suggests a collective healing process, where the shared experience of heartache brings people together.