“This Loneliness”, 2009 single Genre: Pop/rock, melancholy, soft and sweet voice reminiscent of Natalia Lafourcade. Song about loneliness. She needs a hug! Country: Mexico, USA (Arizona)
Lyrics Translation:
Esta soledad me esta quemando las pestañas, Llenándome de telarañas Y me pone a chillar.
This solitude is burning my eyelashes, [*idiom, meaning it keeps her up at night] Covering me with cobwebs And it makes me bawl.
“Sleepless” Album: Puro Tejano Gold (Pure Texan Gold), 2008 Genre: Texan ranchera with a very slight cumbia influence. Bobby Pulido is a Mexican-American singer. This song is about unrequited and unknown love. The poor guy falls in love with a voice he heard on the radio. Listen to his sleepless tale below. Country: USA (Texas)
Lyrics Translation:
Será fe que yo encontré… una voz de ternura Que me llena de placer, cuando la oigo hablar. Con ella me enamoré, aunque nunca la conoci. Sueño en su querer y en sus brazos quiero dormir.
It must be fate that I found… a tender voice Who fills me with pleasure, when I hear it speak. I fell in love with her, even though I never met her. I dream about her love and I want to sleep in her arms.
“Share” Album: Mietras Tú Dormías (While You Slept), 2010 Genre: Alternative pop/rock, love ballad, soft voiced but strongly projected, understatedly emotional. Sweet melody about wanting to be close to a lover. I learned about this song from the NPR Alt.Latino music blog. Country: Mexico, USA (Arizona)
Lyrics Translation:
Quiero compartir mi silla contigo. Quiero ver salir el sol y despedirlo. Quiero caminar y correr a tu ladito. Quiero buscar y encontrarme a solas contigo.
I want to share my seat with you. I want to see the sun rise and (then) say farewell to it. I want to walk and run by your side. I want to look for and find time alone with you.
“(Everybody) Let Me Cry” Album: Déjenme Llorar (Everybody Let Me Cry), 2012 Genre: Alternative rock, melancholy, soft but strong voice, mourning a breakup. This song won “Best Alternative Song” and its album won “Best Alternative Album” in the 2012 Latin Grammy Awards. The song was also nominated for “Song of the Year.” Country: Mexico, USA (Arizona)
Lyrics Translation:
He estado recordando los momentos que te di, Cuántos tú me diste y por qué ahora estoy aquí, Sentada en el suelo pensando que te quiero, Que te quise tanto, y que tu amor me es… ¡necesario!
I have been remembering the moments that I gave you, How many you gave me, and why I am here now, Sitting on the floor thinking that I love you, That I loved you so much, and that your love is for me… necessary!
“Something With Meaning” Album: Residente o Visitante (Resident or Visitor), 2007 Genre: Hilarious but explicit rap song, slow tempo, increasingly disturbing lyrics. This song is hilarious because of its disturbing build-up and then the abrupt end after the first end. Residente Calle 13’s voice acting in this song is great. Country: Puerto Rico
***Warning: Explicit language, graphic descriptions of violence.***
Lyrics Translation:
La gente está jugando con mi mente Y ando con la mirada borracha. Mi cabeza está pensando en remolacha, Por eso no tiene sentido esta guaracha.
People are playing with my head And I walk around with a drunk look. My head is thinking about beets; That’s why this song makes no sense.
“About-Turn” Genre: Ranchera, heartbreak, wavering between denial and acceptance. Country: Mexico Listen:YouTube, Amazon
Lyrics Translation:
Te vas porque yo quiero que te vayas. A la hora que yo quiera te detengo. Yo sé que mi cariño te hace falta Porque quieras o no yo soy tu dueño.
You leave because I want you to leave. At whatever time I want, I (can) stop you. I know that you need my affection, Because whether you want it or not, I am your boss.