“I Want To See You Happy”, 2021 single Countries: USA (California), Mexico Style: Cumbia about being ready to be happy again despite all the bad things happening in the world. Listen: YouTube, Amazon
Lyrics Translation:
No es que me valga madre la vida, El dolor de la gente, el frío, y el hambre. La angustia está presente. El odio se siente, el ambiente se pone caliente.
It’s not that I don’t give a damn about life, People’s pain, the cold, and hunger. The anguish is there. The hate is palpable, the environment heats up.
“Careful” Albums: Cuidado (1969); Someday New (2014) Style: Soulful alternative rock, ballad-like, with bass and acoustic instruments, including accordion. Countries: United States (Los Angeles, CA); Mexico
Listen:
The song by José José is directed to a lover who is doing things that will lead to a breakup. You can listen to the original version by José José (1969) or La Santa Cecilia’s cover (2014) at YouTube. I love the way lead singer Marisol “La Marisoul” Hernandez harmonizes the warnings in the lyrics until the words vibrate.
José José:
La Santa Cecilia:
Today is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, but Day of the Dead is coming up on November 1-2. I recommend listening to La Santa Cecilia’s lively “La Negra” (YouTube and translation). I’m also curious about the upcoming animated movie, The Book of Life premiering October 17.
Lyrics Translation (following La Santa Cecilia’s version):
Cuidado, Mucho cuidado, Que estás tomando por un rumbo equivocado.
Careful, Be very careful, Because you are going down a wrong road.
“Your Pride” Album: Déjenme Llorar (Let Me Cry), 2012 Style: Alternative, mellow, quieter song. Carla Morrison sings about her experience with a selfish lover. Her music is melancholy with a light hand. This song is both a self-reproach for letting herself be in this situation, and a protest over how she is treated. I love her voice. Country: Mexico, USA (Arizona)
Lyrics Translation:
¿En qué momento perdí El control de mis sentimientos Cuando decidí Aceptar tus secretos?
At what moment did I lose Control over my feelings, When I decided To accept your secrets?
“The Lighthouse”Lyrics Album: Noche y Citas (Night, and Dates), 2010 Style: Ballad with accordion music in the background. This is a song about someone who fell in love hard and is melancholy about it. It sounds like unrequited love. Pobrecita. Country: United States (Los Angeles, CA) Listen: YouTube
Unrelated, I saw the recently released Cesar Chavez movie last weekend. It was good! I worry sometimes that movies about famous civil rights people will be too serious, but this movie had many light and funny moments, too. Go watch it.
Lyrics Translation:
¿Cómo logro provocar El rocío de una flor? ¿Cómo logro dominar El amor?
How do I manage to provoke The dew of a flower? How do I manage to dominate Love?
“Little Coin” Album: Treinta Días (Thirty Days), 2013 Style: Alternative, energetic, cheerful song praising humble lifestyles. This is a song about not needing money to be happy, about valuing humility, and about how living within one’s means is healthier than over-spending to impress others. Good vocals by lead singer La Marisoul and accordion play by Jose “Pepe” Carlos. Country: USA (Los Angeles, CA) Listen:YouTube, Amazon
Lyrics Translation:
Bonito tu trajecito, ¿cuánto das por la apariencia? Bonito tu cochecito, ¿no te pesa en la conciencia?
Very nice, your little outfit; how much for that appearance? Very nice, your little car; doesn’t it weigh on your conscience?
“This Loneliness”, 2009 single Style: Pop/rock, melancholy, soft and sweet voice reminiscent of Natalia Lafourcade. Song about loneliness. She needs a hug! Country: Mexico, USA (Arizona) Listen: YouTube
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 Style: 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) Listen:YouTube
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 Style: Alternative pop/rock, love ballad, soft voiced but strongly projected, understatedly emotional. Sweet melody about wanting to be close to a lover. Country: Mexico, USA (Arizona) Listen:YouTube. I learned about this song from the NPR Alt.Latino music blog.
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 Style: 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!
“The Call” Style: Drama pop song about a cheater who wants to get back together. This person cheats, gets caught, gets dumped, and then won’t stop calling! Selena is just going to keep hanging up. Stop calling her. I love songs with stories. Country: United States (Texas); Mexico Listen: YouTube
Lyrics Translation:
[Sound of phone ringing]
-Bueno… -Soy yo, mi amor, antes de que me cuelgues no’ más dejame explicar que…
-Hello… -It’s me, my love, before you hang up on me just let me explain that…
“With Every Word”Lyrics Style: Controlled slow pace, sultry, with string instruments, poetic lust song. Country: United States (New York); Mexico Listen: YouTube
Translation:
Con toda palabra, Con toda sonrisa, Con toda mirada, Con toda caricia.
With every word, With every smile, With every glance, With every caress.
“Dear Sister”Lyrics Album: Love & Hate, 2003 Style: Bachata, sorrowful. It’s a sad song about a man seeing his sister suffer domestic violence. He sings about his observations, how he fears for her, and how he wishes she left the monster. Country: USA (New York); Dominican Republic Listen: YouTube
Translation:
Cómo pasan los años. Ayer eramos niños. Mami y papi luchaban por nuestro porvenir. Tú cuidabas de mí; hoy yo velo por ti. Hermanita, te adoro. Sé que no eres feliz.
How the years pass. Yesterday we were children. Mom and Dad struggled for our future. You took care of me; today I stay awake for you. Sister, I adore you. I know you are not happy.
Songlations 
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