Parte del aire

Luis Alberto Spinetta's song 'Parte del aire' is a poetic exploration of departure, memory, and the ethereal nature of existence. The lyrics begin with a character who decides to leave, symbolized by the metaphor of a strawberry heart, suggesting both sweetness and fragility. This departure is not just physical but also emotional, as it involves leaving behind familial conflicts, hinted at by the phrase 'siempre el mismo rollo con los parientes' (always the same story with the relatives).

The song continues with the narrator reflecting on the tangible remnants left behind by the departed: some records, a silver watch, and a samurai. These items, detailed in an 'expediente' (file), symbolize the personal and unique aspects of the person who left. The refrain 'Y allí va, parte del aire' (And there it goes, part of the air) emphasizes the idea of the person becoming one with the air, free and unbound, highlighting the theme of liberation.

Spinetta's lyrics also weave in natural and cultural imagery, such as the 'música de grillos del Paraná' (music of the crickets of Paraná) and the 'buen presagio de las comadres' (good omen of the comadres), grounding the song in a specific Argentine context. The mention of loving a star in solitude and cutting the cables the night before Christmas adds a layer of melancholy and finality, suggesting a deliberate and thoughtful departure. The song captures the bittersweet essence of leaving, the memories left behind, and the ultimate freedom of becoming 'parte del aire'.