“First Day”
Album: Limon y Sal (Lemon and Salt), 2006
Style: Pop, love song, possibly breakup song, possibly the start of a new relationship though it sounds like one person wants it more than the other.
Country: Mexico
Listen: YouTube
Tag: Genre: Pop
“Quiero Verte Feliz” (I Want To See You Happy) by La Santa Cecilia, Lila Downs, English translation
“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.
“Cuidado” (Careful) by José José, La Santa Cecilia; English translation of lyrics
“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.
“Monedita” (Little Coin) by La Santa Cecilia, English translation
“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?
“Esta Soledad” (This Loneliness) by Carla Morrison, English translation
“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.
“Desde Que Despierto” (Since I Wake Up) by Juanes, English translation
“From the Moment I Wake Up” or “Since I Wake Up”
Album: Un Día Normal (A Normal Day), 2002
Style: Pop, love song
Country: Colombia
Lyrics Translation:
Mira que mis ojos ven mejor si tú eres la luz
Y mi espera no es eterna si tú eres el final.
Look how my eyes see better if you are the light
And my wait is not eternal if you are the end.
“Destino” (Destiny) by Juanes, English translation
“Destiny”
Album: Fíjate Bien (Pay Attention), 2000
Style: Pop/rock. This album won “Best Rock Solo Vocal Album” and “Best New Artist” at the 2001 Latin Grammy Awards.
Country: Colombia
Lyrics 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.
“Y Todo, ¿Para Qué?” by Intocable, Natalia Lafourcade, and Pedro Reyna Cisneros, English translation
“And All For What?” Lyrics
Style: Pop or ranchera versions, romance song
Songwriter: Pedro Reyna Cisneros
Country: Mexico
Listen @ YouTube to Intocable (ranchera) or Natalia Lafourcade (alt pop)
Continue reading ““Y Todo, ¿Para Qué?” by Intocable, Natalia Lafourcade, and Pedro Reyna Cisneros, English translation”
“Como un Fantasma” by Chenoa, English translation
“Like a Ghost” Lyrics, 2011
Style: Pop/rock, techno-inspired, about a love that haunts you. When you break up with someone, it can be hard to forget them. They linger in your mind… like a ghost. For more techno-influenced pop about moving on, see “Mi Mundo Sin Ti” by Soraya.
Countries: Argentina (born), Spain (raised)
Listen: YouTube
Translation:
Decido no extrañarte,
Vestirme y levantarme,
Quiero escaparme de tu sombra.
I decide not to miss you,
To dress myself and get up,
I want to escape your shadow.
“La Niña Que Llora En Tus Fiestas” by La Oreja de Van Gogh, English translation of lyrics
“The Girl Who Cries at Your Parties”, 2011 single
Style: Pop with a beat, energetic, techno influence. This energetic pop song is about a girl so in love (really obsessed) that it hurts her to be away from the object of her affections.
Country: Spain
Listen: YouTube
Translation:
[Radio:]
Y los cuarenta principales, del cuarenta al uno…
And the top 40, from 40 to 1…
[Song:]
Vuela un columpio vació sobre mi cabeza,
Vuela por el cementerio de mi voluntad.
Sigo buscando la niña que llora en tus fiestas.
Suenan campanas en flor por mi funeral.
The empty swing flies over my head,
It flies over the cemetery of my willpower.
I keep looking for the girl who cries at your parties.
Ringing bell flowers sprout all over my funeral.
“Un Lugar Para Renacer” by Natalia Lafourcade, English translation of lyrics
“A Place To Be Reborn” Lyrics
Album: Hu, Hu, Hu, 2009
Style: Pop, light and floaty, gentle fairy-ish, some piano
Country: Mexico
Listen: YouTube, Amazon
Translation:
Qué protección sentí ayer,
Aunque afuera vi la lluvia.
Me dieron ganas de llorar
Con la canción que me enseñabas.
What security I felt yesterday,
Even though saw the rain outside.
I felt like crying [*lit. I got the urge to cry]
With the song that you were teaching me.
“Tres” (Three) by Juanes, English translation
“Three”
Album: La Vida Es… Un Ratico (Life Is… A Brief Moment), 2007
Style: Pop, love song about waiting for someone.
Country: Colombia
Listen: YouTube
Lyrics Translation:
Yo no pienso que me pueda de ti olvidar.
Yo no pienso que mi corazón resista un día más.
Yo no soy lo que tú quieras que sea este amor.
Sólo soy la puerta abierta que te da mi corazón.
I do not think that I can forget about you.
I do not think that my heart will stand another day.
I am not what you want this love to be.
I am only the open door that gives my heart to you.
Songlations 
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