Voy a dormir

Song Meaning

Andrés Calamaro's "Voy a Dormir" is less a lullaby and more a wry, insomniac's mantra. On the surface, it's a simple declaration: 'I'm going to sleep.' But beneath that surface simmers a potent cocktail of longing, exhaustion, and the quiet desperation of a man trying to outrun his own thoughts. The recurring line becomes a shield, a way to shut out the world and perhaps, more importantly, himself. Calamaro isn't just stating an intention; he's issuing a command, battling the distractions of a life fully lived. The lyrics are peppered with vivid, almost surreal imagery: chorizo and emptiness, a 'well-served rifle,' polo clubs, and the promise of Argentinean barbecue. These details paint a picture of a restless soul, one caught between simple pleasures and existential anxieties. The mention of Tandil, a city southwest of Buenos Aires, suggests a physical journey, but it also hints at a deeper, internal quest for solace. The 'best girl' who left a 'thorn' and the feeling of having 'too much to give' adds a layer of romantic frustration, feeding the desire for escape into sleep. Ultimately, "Voy a Dormir" isn't about sleep itself, but rather about the yearning for peace and the struggle to find it. The repetition of the phrase borders on obsessive, highlighting the futility of the effort. It's the sound of someone trying to quiet the noise, to silence the internal monologue that keeps them awake at night. The final verses, with their references to guitars, leather roasts, and a suite named after Cacho Fontana, create a sense of waiting, of anticipation mixed with resignation. He’s waiting for something, or someone, but in the meantime, he’s just going to keep trying to sleep.