OF NIGHTS AND BOLEROS: THE POETRY OF LATIN AMERICAN SONG AND THE IDENTITY IMAGES IN THE SOCIAL IMAGINATION

Abstract

This article performs a discursive analysis of the Latin songs "Noche de Ronda," "La Barca," and "Bésame Mucho," interpreted by Mexican singer Luis Miguel Gallego Baster, with the aim of investigating the multiple identity representations of Latin America in the social imaginary. The research seeks to understand how these poetic discourses, characterized by a passionate and melodramatic language, have contributed to consolidating a stereotypical view of the region in the international cultural panorama, often portrayed as a land of homogeneous subjects. The methodology used is based on Discourse Analysis, with theoretical support from studies by Canclini (1997), Bhabha (1998), Hall (2005), Santiago (2000), Todorov (1982), and Gomez-Peña (1997), which assist in understanding the plurality and fragmentation of Latin American identities. The study concludes that the lyrics of these songs reveal post-modern, fragmented, and heterogeneous subjects, questioning the idea of a singular Latin America and highlighting the cultural and identity complexity of the region.