Paraules D'Amor

Joan Manuel Serrat's 'Paraules D'Amor' (which translates to 'Words of Love') is a tender ballad that delves into the reminiscence of a first love, a universal experience that many listeners can relate to. The song's lyrics are a poignant reflection on the innocence and simplicity of young love, characterized by its pure and uncomplicated emotions. Serrat's storytelling captures the essence of being fifteen and in love, where the world seems to revolve around that one special person, and the future is a distant concern.

The song speaks to the heart with its description of love's early days when everything is new and intense. The 'three phrases' mentioned in the lyrics likely refer to the sweet nothings and clichés that young lovers often share, learned from old plays and romantic tales. These words, though perhaps unoriginal, hold a special place in the narrator's heart as they represent a time of youthful naivety and genuine affection. The repetition of the age 'fifteen' emphasizes the formative nature of this early romantic experience.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that this love is a thing of the past. The narrator has lost touch with the object of his affection, and what remains is a sense of longing and the bittersweet memories of their time together. The 'old songs' and 'old chords' that reach him in the darkness are metaphors for the lingering feelings and the nostalgia that often accompany memories of first love. Serrat's evocative lyrics and emotive performance resonate with anyone who has ever looked back on their first love with both fondness and a tinge of sorrow.