Babel (part. Fito Paez)

Carlos Vives' song "Babel," featuring Fito Paez, delves into the complexities and disconnections of modern society. The title itself is a reference to the biblical Tower of Babel, a story where humanity's attempt to build a tower to reach the heavens resulted in God confusing their language, causing them to scatter and misunderstand each other. This metaphor is used to illustrate the current state of the world, where communication and understanding are fragmented, and people are more isolated despite being more connected than ever.

The lyrics paint a picture of a world that is tired and almost broken, filled with superficiality and appearances. Vives sings about a sacred place that has been reduced to a marketplace, where everyone is out for themselves. This imagery suggests a loss of genuine connection and community, replaced by individualism and materialism. The line "como pude cambiar tu canción por dos tenis usados" (how could I trade your song for two used sneakers) highlights the absurdity of valuing material possessions over meaningful relationships and experiences.

The chorus emphasizes the theme of disconnection, with the repeated line "Babel, nadie se quiere entender" (Babel, no one wants to understand). This reflects a world where people prefer chaos and conflict over understanding and unity. The mention of Rome burning and the train leaving again symbolizes missed opportunities for connection and progress. The song ultimately calls for a return to genuine communication and understanding, urging listeners to escape the invented world of superficiality and reconnect with what truly matters.