La Flaca whisks us off to the steamy nights of Havana, where the narrator meets an unforgettable woman he calls La Flaca – “the skinny one.” She is a dazzling mix of “coral negro de La Habana” and “tremendísima mulata,” only “cien libras de piel y hueso,” yet bursting with energy and charisma. By day she sleeps to trick her hunger, by night she slips into the tavern to dance, drink beer after beer, and somehow stay impossibly slim. Her face glows with “two suns” that speak without words, and one kiss from her seems worth absolutely anything.
Behind the catchy Latin–rock rhythm lies a playful tale of impossible longing. The singer is hopelessly smitten, soaking his sheets with memories of her fleeting affection and promising he would give up everything for just one more kiss. The repetition of “aunque sólo uno fuera” (even if it were only one) drives home his mix of passion and frustration: he loves a woman who will always remain just out of reach. La Flaca is a celebration of magnetic attraction, Caribbean atmosphere, and that delicious ache of wanting something you cannot quite have.
Jarabe de Palo is a Spanish rock band founded in 1996 in Barcelona, led by the charismatic singer, songwriter, and guitarist Pau Donés. Known for their heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies, the band quickly rose to fame with hits like La Flaca and Depende. Over the years, they earned critical acclaim, receiving prestigious awards such as Premios de la Música and Premio Ondas, along with Grammy nominations.
In 2008, Jarabe de Palo took an independent route by creating their own label, Tronco Records, and continued releasing fresh music including Orquesta Reciclando and Somos. Their collaborations span artists like Celia Cruz, Antonio Vega, and Ricky Martin, showcasing their versatile style. The band disbanded in 2020 after the passing of Pau Donés, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music that resonates across generations.