“The Rebellion” Album: Rebellion, 1986 Style: Salsa story-story about African slaves who rebel in Colombia. Billboard lists it as one of the “15 Best Salsa Songs Ever” and various publications have listed it among the greatest songs of Colombia. Joe Arroyo wrote this song to remember the history of his hometown. Country: Colombia Listen:YouTube
Translation:
[Spoken:] Quiero contarle, mi hermano, Un pedacito de la historia negra, De la historia nuestra, caballero, Y dice así…
I want to tell you, my brother, A little piece of black history, Of our history, gentleman, And it goes like this…
“The Democracy” Lyrics Album:SEIS (Six), 2021 Style: Cumbia about politics in Latin America, lamenting poor conditions and atrocities done in the name of democracy. Country: Chile, Mexico Listen:YouTube
Translation:
Tú no tienes la culpa de que la plata a nadie le alcanza. Tú no tienes la culpa de la violencia y de la matanza. Así el mundo nos recibió: con muchas balas, poca esperanza. Quiero que todo sea mejor, que se equilibre esa balanza.
It’s not your fault that money doesn’t stretch out far enough for anyone. It’s not your fault, the violence and the killings. This is how the world received us: with many bullets, little hope. I want everything to be better, for that scale to balance.
“Thank You”, 1972 Style: Mariachi farewell song from a genre-defining singer and national treasure of Mexico. Country: Mexico Listen:YouTube, Amazon.
José Alfredo Jiménez died 41 years ago on November 23, 1973.
My father is a huge fan of José Alfredo Jiménez. Once, when I was visiting home and helping him install a new music program, he started filling his playlist and found this song. He told me more about the legendary José Alfredo Jiménez, beloved and prolific singer-songwriter of Mexico. Jiménez died in 1973 of cirrhosis of the liver due to his drinking. He didn’t die sad or regretful, though. He died full of gratitude for his fans. He composed this last song, “Gracias” (Thank You), to express his love for everyone, and to let people know that he thought his life was wonderful, and that he had made peace with his upcoming death.
To this day, he is still internationally famous for his character- and story-driven lyrics. When people think of mariachi, ranchera, and corrido songs, they think of José Alfredo Jiménez.
Translation:
¿Cómo puedo pagar Que me quieran a mí Por todas mis canciones?
How can I repay That you all love me For all my songs?
“Destiny”Lyrics Album: Fíjate Bien (Pay Attention), 2000 Style: Pop/rock Country: Colombia Listen:YouTube. This album won “Best Rock Solo Vocal Album” and “Best New Artist” at the 2001 Latin Grammy Awards.
Translation:
Estoy buscando una forma de ver Detrás de los espejos del alma, Más adentro donde está la luz Que quema, pero que no mata.
I am searching for a way of seeing Behind the mirrors of the soul, Deeper inside where there’s the light That burns, but does not kill.
“Disappearances” Album: Buscando America (Looking for America), 1984 Style: Political commentary, sad song Countries: Panama, Mexico Listen at YouTube: Rubén Blades, or Maná’s cover from their MTV Unplugged album
Translation:
Que alguien me diga si han visto a mi esposo, Preguntaba la Doña. Se llama Ernesto X. Tiene cuarenta años. Trabaja de celador, en un negocio de carros. Llevaba camisa oscura y pantalón claro.
Someone tell me if they have seen my husband, Asked the madam. His name is Ernesto X. He is forty years old. He works as a guard, in a car dealership business. He had a dark shirt and light pants.
Salió anteanoche y no ha regresado Y no sé ya qué pensar, Pues esto antes no me había pasado. Oooo…
He went out the night before last night and he has not returned And I don’t know what to think anymore, Because this had never happened to me before. Oooo…
“Forbidden Love” Album: Amor Prohibido, 1994 Style: Pop love song. This is a very Romeo and Juliette style of love song, about love between people of different social classes and the disapproval from others. Country: USA (Texas) Listen: YouTube
Translation:
Con unas ansias locas quiero verte hoy. Espero ese momento en que escuche tu voz.
With a crazy yearning I want to see you today. I await that moment when I can hear your voice.
“Pay Attention”, alt. “Look Closely” Album: Fíjate Bien, 2000 Style: Pop/rock, anti-war song raising awareness to the conflict in Colombia. It won Best Rock Song at the 2001 Latin Grammy Awards. Country: Colombia Listen: YouTube
Translation:
Te han quitado lo que tienes, Te han robado el pan del día, Te han sacado de tus tierras Y no parece que termina aquí.
They have taken away what you have, They have stolen your daily bread, They have taken you out of your lands And it doesn’t look like it stops here.
“Today is Goodbye”Lyrics Album:Shaman, 2002 Style: Blues rock, Chicano rock, sad song about losing people across the USA-Mexico border. It is from the perspective of a person left behind, singing about their loved one who left with the intent of crossing the border, then time passing and not knowing what happed to them, but continuing to wait. Country: Mexico, Argentina Listen:YouTube
Translation:
Él se fue con el invierno. Él se ha ido a trabajar. No me ha escrito en mucho tiempo; Él dijo que volverá.
He left with the winter. He has gone to work. Hasn’t written to me in a long time; He said he would return.
Girl: Unas piernas que respiran… Veneno de serpiente… Por el camino del viento… Voy soplando agua ardiente*
A pair of legs that breathe in… Venom from snakes… By the way of the wind… I go exhaling blazing water…
Announcer: El día habia comenzado entusiasmado y alegre.
The day had begun enthusiastically and joyfully.
Spoken: -Dice… Pasaporte! -Ha donde va por ahí, luminario, en esta noche tan fea? -Usted no se anima? -Mire como ‘sta el camino. ‘Ta negaiiiito! -No hombre, cómo, el camino es lo de menos. -Lo importante es que haiga bronca.
-(He) says… Passport! -Where you goin’, luminary, in this night so ugly? -Don’t you dare? -See how the road is. It’s terrible! -No man, how (can you say that), the road is the least of it. -What matters is for there to be a fight in you.
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