Discovering the Impact of 80s Mexican Ballads on Emotional Development
After a particularly demanding week of clinical work, I decided to unwind and watch something light on television. Prime Video featured the new series “Lies,” inspired by the successful musical of the same name that pays homage to Mexico’s great 80s ballads. What began as a simple search for entertainment ended up emotionally shaking me.
I found myself humming those songs I knew by heart. Amanda Miguel, Daniela Romo, Yuri, Emmanuel, Mijares… voices that accompanied my childhood and adolescence. But this time, with more years under my belt and a different conscience, I didn’t just sing along to the melodies; I focused on the lyrics. “He lied to me,” “Castles,” “What are you doing,” “Behind my window.” It was a catalog of romantic pain, abandonment, sacrifice, and endurance. Strong, tough lyrics that, without us realizing it, shaped our beliefs and the way we built our connections.
The Power of Music in Shaping Our Emotions
As a psychiatrist, I now wonder: how much did those songs influence the way we learned to love, wait, and suffer?
The series “Lies” updates these themes with humor and satire, presenting four women who discover they all shared the same man. The death of “Emmanuel Mijares” (the character) sets off a telenovela-worthy plot twist but also opens the opportunity for reflection: how have we evolved in narrating love and heartbreak? How much of those lyrics still resides within us?
Research indicates that music not only accompanies our emotions but also shapes them. Recent studies have shown that people with depressive symptoms tend to repeatedly listen to songs with negative lyrics, potentially perpetuating feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The alarming part is that this phenomenon starts at a very young age. Today, many teenagers still connect with lyrics that normalize sadness, emptiness, or emotional dependence.
Generational Differences and Emotional Expression
At home, the generational contrast is evident. My teenage son is hooked on metal bands like Metallica, Pantera, or Slipknot. At first, I struggled to understand his choice, but now I know it’s not just “loud music.” Scientific studies from universities like Macquarie (Australia) and Cambridge have identified that adolescents who listen to this type of music aren’t necessarily angrier or more depressed. Instead, they use intense rhythms and raw lyrics to process complex emotions—especially frustration, anxiety, and anger—in a symbolic space free from judgment.
I don’t want to demonize the music of my youth—it still holds beauty and evocative power—but I do encourage questioning the message we consume repeatedly. Many women of my generation grew up associating love with sacrifice, suffering, and unconditional forgiveness. We were told that enduring was a virtue. Meanwhile, men were often told different stories: those of conquest, power, and emotional irresponsibility.
Embracing Change in Music and Emotional Expression
With the advent of artificial intelligence and digital platforms, tools are being developed to use music as emotional medicine. Applications now exist that can recommend songs based on your mood or create playlists to alleviate anxiety, boost happiness, or facilitate rest.
Tips for More Conscious Music Consumption:
- Review your “emotional playlist.” Is there a recurring message in your favorite songs? Do they lift you up or bring you down?
- Alternate. If a heartbreak song makes you cry, it’s okay, but then play something that reminds you of your worth.
- Tell your story differently. Explore new genres, voices, and narratives.
- Make music a ritual. Use it to reconnect, heal, and transform.
For now, I’ll continue enjoying the series “Lies”: because it makes me laugh, takes me back to my childhood, and invites me to think. Those songs were indeed part of my emotional education, but as with any education, there’s always room to relearn, reinterpret, and perhaps sing them with new words.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How does music influence our emotions? Music can shape our emotions, as indicated by research showing that people with depressive symptoms tend to listen repeatedly to songs with negative lyrics, potentially perpetuating feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Q: How has music evolved in portraying love and heartbreak? “Lies” updates these themes with humor and satire, prompting reflection on how we’ve evolved in narrating love and heartbreak.
- Q: What are some tips for more conscious music consumption? Review your “emotional playlist,” alternate between songs, explore new genres and narratives, and make music a ritual for reconnecting, healing, and transforming.
