María Martha Serra Lima (December 19, 1944 – November 2, 2017) was an Argen… Read Full Bio ↴María Martha Serra Lima (December 19, 1944 – November 2, 2017) was an Argentinian singer.

Born in Buenos Aires to a family of auto dealership proprietors, Serra Lima was first signed on to a record label in 1977, and became famous across Latin America and in Spain during the 1970s and 1980s. Known for her contralto vocal texture and her repertoire of love ballads and boleros, she collaborated extensively with singer-songwriters from elsewhere in Latin America, particularly Mexican standards such as Los Panchos and Armando Manzanero; among her best-known, non-Hispanic interpretations is that of Paul Anka's My Way. Her albums became hits in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Chile, Venezuela, and elswhere in the region, apart from her home country.
She has shared the stage with numerous major international singers, done multiple international tours and won many awards through her career as a singer. Sold 10 million albums in the late 70's and early 80's.

Usted
María Martha Serra Lima Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Usted es el culpable
De todas mis angustias,
De todos mis quebrantos.
Usted llenó mi vida
De dulces inquietudes
Y amargos desencantos.

Su amor es como un grito

Que llevo aquí en mi alma,
Y aquí en mi corazón.
Y soy, aunque no quiera,
Esclava de sus ojos,
Juguete de su amor.

No juegue con mi vida
Ni con mis sentimientos,
Que es lo único que tengo.
Usted es mi esperanza;
Mi única esperanza.
Comprenda de una vez,
Que usted me desespera,
Me mata, me enloquece,
Y hasta la vida diera
Por vencer el miedo
De besarlo a usted.

Su amor es como un grito
Que llevo aquí en mi alma
Y aquí en mi corazón.
Y soy, aunque no quiera,
Esclava de sus ojos,
Juguete de su amor.

No juegue con mi vida
Ni con mis sentimientos,
Que es lo único que tengo.
Usted es mi esperanza;
Mi única esperanza.
Comprenda de una vez,
Que usted me desespera,
Me mata, me enloquece,
Y hasta la vida diera
Por vencer el miedo
De besarlo a usted.

Que usted me desespera,
Me mata, me enloquece,
Y hasta la vida diera

Por vencer el miedo
De besarlo a usted.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to María Martha Serra Lima's song Usted express the intensity of the singer's love and desire towards someone who she refers to as "usted" (you). The singer blames "usted" for all of her anguish and pain but also acknowledges that their love has filled her life with both sweet anticipation and bitter disappointments. The singer's love for "usted" is like a constant scream that resounds in her soul and heart. She feels like a slave to his eyes and a toy of his love, even though she doesn't want to be. The singer is pleading with "usted" not to play with her life and emotions as they are all she has left. She wants "usted" to understand how much he torments and drives her crazy to the point where she would risk her life just to kiss him.

The lyrics seem to express both the passion and the pain that come with intense love. The singer's desperation and vulnerability are palpable as she begs "usted" not to hurt her. The song conveys the idea that love can be both a source of immense joy and deep hurt, and the singer feels both in equal measure. It is a song that many people who have experienced a strong and unrequited love can relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

Usted es el culpable
You are the one responsible

De todas mis angustias,
For all my anxieties

De todos mis quebrantos.
For all my sorrows.

Usted llenó mi vida
You filled my life

De dulces inquietudes
With sweet worries

Y amargos desencantos.
And bitter disappointments.

Su amor es como un grito
Your love is like a shout

Que llevo aquí en mi alma,
That I carry here in my soul,

Y aquí en mi corazón.
And here in my heart.

Y soy, aunque no quiera,
And even though I don't want to,

Esclava de sus ojos,
I am a slave to your eyes,