Cobardía translates to "cowardice." It's a strong, emotionally charged word that isn't commonly found in every pop song, making it stand out.
In "Universo Paralelo," the singer uses cobardía to explain why he can't confess his love. He sings, "Por cobardía o porque hablas" (Out of cowardice or because you talk), revealing his fear of rejection or of her reaction. This word captures a deep human emotion and adds a layer of vulnerability to the lyrics.
Have you ever been so completely smitten with someone that just seeing them makes your heart race, but you're too shy or scared to tell them? That's exactly what The La Planta is singing about in "Universo Paralelo"! He dreams of buying a box seat at her window, "Compraría un palco en tu ventana" [I would buy a box seat at your window], just to watch her wake up every morning. But he knows she's out of his league, like a distant star, "Pero tu estrella es tan lejana" [But your star is so distant], and he has to keep his feelings a secret.
It's a total internal struggle! He feels an explosion when she's near, "Cuando te tengo al ladito hay explosión" [When I have you by my side there's an explosion], a perfect symbiosis, but he knows she doesn't even notice him. He'd be so embarrassed if she found out, "Me daría tal vergüenza si te dieras cuenta ahora" [I'd be so ashamed if you found out now], because she's his whole world, his "universo paralelo" [parallel universe]. He's literally forcing himself not to shout "I love you!" It's such a relatable feeling of intense, secret adoration, all wrapped up in a catchy beat. You can really feel his pain and his longing!