Ricardo Arjona's 'Historias' turns 30: All 14 tracks ranked

In 'Amor De Tele', Arjona recounts the journey of a platonic love towards a soap opera actress and the disappointment that came when he met her in person, discovering that much of what he admired on screen did not correspond to reality. At the end, he ends with a lament: “I fell in love with the role of the novel / I know you don't exist and I'm sorry.”

In the smoky atmosphere of Don Pedro's bar, Arjona spins a tale of unexpected twists in “La Noche Te Trae Sorpresas.” With a crazy rockabilly beat and the occasional wailing steel guitar solo, Arjona sets the scene for a night of intrigue and adventure. As the beat sinks in, listeners are drawn into a world where chance encounters lead to unpredictable outcomes. His lively narrative paints a picture of a fateful encounter between a daring protagonist and a seductive woman, interwoven with themes of danger, desire and the unpredictable nature of love. It's a fun ride through the highs and lows of romance, reminding us that in the realm of the night, anything can happen.

A jab at those who live in a materialistic world, Arjona does not hesitate to criticize their superficial lifestyles. “It's not that it's a bad thing to be good if you've earned it/ What's wrong is to go and brag about what your daddy gave you,” he sings viciously on “Chicos de Plástico” (translated to Plastic Boys), almost bitterly for the guys who can get the girls just because of their brand names and luxury cars.

Bolstered by a horn section and a jangle blues rock beat, “Si Yo Fuera” contemplates hypothetical scenarios of being in different social roles, such as politician, cardinal, king or even actress Demi Moore. Arjona uses these themes to criticize social and political norms, expressing his dissatisfaction with the way things are. Yet he also conveys a sense of resignation, acknowledging his role as a “passenger on this train,” he sings. Its lively beat and thought-provoking lyrics resonate, especially with listeners questioning their place in society.

On “Ayúdame Freud” (or “Help Me Feud”), Arjona's introspective journey begins before the first note is sung, as the singer-songwriter sets the scene with a dialogue between himself and his therapist, Freud. As the mid-tempo Latin pop ballad unfolds with emotional anguish, Arjona navigates the complexities of his inner world while delving into the depths of personal struggle and complex relationship dynamics. It also captures the essence of vulnerability, inviting listeners to join Arjona in his quest for self-discovery.

This song reflects the contrasts and frustrations between the narrator's world and the world seen on Earth. The lyrics depict an alien visitor who has arrived to explore and understand the human world. The chorus emphasizes the deteriorating state of the world beyond the sun. The lyrics imply that the connection between the fall of the world and the rhyming of words like “step” with “rebellion” (“earth” and “war”) and “humano” with “tirano” (“man” and “tyrant”) is no accident. It indicates that there is a lack of unity and cooperation among people.

Composed by Arjona and Miguel Luna, the pop-rock song explores the struggles of dealing with adversity and societal pressures. Through his upbeat beat, the Guatemalan artist expresses the feelings of “a soldier fighting against all odds, without understanding why,” he sings in Spanish. He reflects on his frustration with various aspects of life, yet all he wants to do is sing. Ultimately, “Me Están Jodiendo la Vida” is a quintessential rebel rock outing that describes navigating life's challenges.

This might be some of Arjona's cheesiest love songs Stories where he sings about his social status preventing him from hooking up with the girl who lives in the penthouse of a building where he works as a janitor. “I was the janitor of building 32/ You were the middle class, the princess of the penthouse/ That's the way God wanted it,” Arjona sings on this southern-inspired country track fueled by a live banjo.

Accompanied by a cartoonish, baroque-like melody suitable for telling a good story, Arjona discusses the strange universe of his partner's family in “Casa de Locos” (which means “Crazy House”). From grandma to cat to dog, no member escapes his scathing criticism on this song. However, in the end, in a gesture of resignation, he welcomes his significant other into his home, accepting that they may be destined to recreate the same story.

This power ballad delves into the depths of loneliness and longing for a man struggling with the aftermath of loss and disconnection. “I'm single and it doesn't serve me,” Arjona sings with a forlorn delivery. As the protagonist navigates the wreckage of his existence, a haunting trumpet underscores the emotional intensity of his journey. This soulful song is an exploration of the paradox of freedom, highlighting the emptiness that can accompany liberation when faced with the absence of love and belonging.

In true Arjona fashion, this song carries a contradiction in every verse that poetically describes the absence of a loved one, yet at the same time you can feel their presence. The song is musically carried by the notes of a piano found in arrangements of violins and electric guitars, while his voice deciphers these feelings of melancholy. “I drink coffee in your absence/ And light a cigarette in nostalgia/ I kiss your neck space/ Empty,” it begins.

This poetry-filled ballad—and one of Guatemala's most iconic songs—serves as a tribute to women who have come of age. In this timeless ode, Arjona reflects on the beauty and allure of a woman in her 40s, describing her as a “perfect blend of experience and youth.” In a society often obsessed with youth, this musical gem celebrates the fullness and grace that comes with the passage of time.

The Guatemalan poet begins his anthem with a haunting piano intro and captures the irony of knowing someone you love perfectly, but you can't be with that person only to realize that love alone may not always be enough . This love letter conveys the feeling that you understand the person so well that you know they miss you even if they don't admit it.

You really won't notice (or mind) that this song is nearly seven minutes long because the story hooks you right away. A storyteller at heart and a nod to the album title, Arjona turns taxi driver in his heartbreaking track that recounts a rather slow day at work that changes his life. Once he picks up a gorgeous blonde in a miniskirt, things start to unravel. She sheds a tear telling the taxi driver that her rich boyfriend has cheated her. It offers a rather cheeky proposition and the excellent ride includes a shocking twist. Matching the song's dramatic yet haunting twists and turns, a wailing sax that powers “Historia de Taxi.”