A Los Jovenes de Ayer

The song 'A Los Jovenes de Ayer' by Serú Girán, a renowned Argentine rock band, delves into the themes of aging, nostalgia, and the changing perceptions of youth over time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the older generation, once the 'jóvenes' (youth) of their time, now seen as out of touch with the current era, clinging to the past and their former glory. The imagery of these individuals 'like drunks in the corner of some tango' and 'crying the past like an old woman at a matinee' evokes a sense of melancholy and longing for days gone by.

The song also touches on the idea that the older generation may still harbor ambitions or desires for influence, as suggested by the lines 'they're plotting something' and 'perhaps they aspire to power.' This could be interpreted as a commentary on the inevitable cycle of life, where each generation ages but still seeks relevance and a place in society. The reference to 'our new Dorian Grays' alludes to Oscar Wilde's character who remains eternally youthful in appearance while his portrait ages; this metaphor suggests that the older generation may be attempting to hold onto their youth in vain.

Serú Girán uses a mix of humor and pathos to explore the universal human experience of aging and the passage of time. The song's title itself, 'A Los Jovenes de Ayer' ('To the Youth of Yesterday'), encapsulates the bittersweet realization that today's youth will one day be the 'jóvenes de ayer,' reflecting on their own past as the relentless march of time continues.