The song "Los Fantasmas del Roxy" by Joan Manuel Serrat is a nostalgic tribute to a demolished old movie theater called Roxy, located in the Lesseps neighborhood in Barcelona, Spain. The lyrics describe the Roxy as a popular theater that screened newsreels (NO-DO) and classic films filled with impossible love stories and passionate and violent passions. The Roxy was a typical, modest theater lacking in luxury, but it held a special place in many people's hearts. The protagonist confesses that they loved the kind of movies shown at the theater, filled with villains and beautiful ladies and gentlemen. The Roxy was a gathering place for tea, where people from the southern part of the city would come to socialize. However, the Roxy was eventually demolished, and in its place, a branch of the Central Bank was established. The lyrics mourn the theater's loss and the loss of its unique atmosphere. The protagonist reminisces about the last show held at the Roxy, with a red dusty atmosphere and the facade collapsing like King Kong. The bank now stands over the ruins of the Roxy, symbolizing the dominance of capitalism. The song also mentions mysterious events happening at the bank. According to a night guard, a transatlantic ship passed through the bank's hall, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing the "continental" dance. These supernatural occurrences highlight the lingering presence and influence of the Roxy's spirit. The lyrics also mention rumored encounters with famous actors, like Clark Gable and Glenn Ford, inside the bank. These encounters, though fictional, reflect the imagination and nostalgia of the people who miss the Roxy and its golden age of cinema. Overall, "Los Fantasmas del Roxy" is a song that evokes feelings of nostalgia, longing, and the passing of time. It pays homage to a beloved movie theater that held a special place in the hearts of many, while also hinting at the power of imagination and the enduring presence of the past.
