“Algo Con Sentido” (Something With Meaning) by Calle 13 feat. PG-13, English translation

“Something With Meaning”
AlbumResidente 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.

Continue reading ““Algo Con Sentido” (Something With Meaning) by Calle 13 feat. PG-13, English translation”

“Muerte En Hawaii” (Death in Hawaii) by Calle 13, English translation and discussion

“Death in Hawaii”
Album: Entren Los Que Quieran (Enter Those Who Want To), 2010
Genre: Love song, ukelele, exaggerated accomplishments, ode to self. The lyrics are a cute love song (albeit arrogant and overly self-aggrandizing), but I guess Calle 13 didn’t want to be cute, so they juxtaposed the song with a violent and bizarre music video. The album won “Album of the Year” in the 2011 Latin Grammys and was nominated for “Best Latin, Pop, Rock or Urban Album” in the 2012 Grammys.
Country: Puerto Rico

Lyrics Translation:

Yo he peleado con cocodrilos.
Me he balanceado sobre un hilo cargando más de 500 kilos.
Le he da’o [dado] la vuelta al mundo en menos de un segundo.
He cruza’o [cruzado] 100 laberintos y nunca me confundo.

I have fought with crocodiles.
I have balanced over a string carrying more than 500 kilograms [= 1102.3 pounds = 0.55 tons].
I have gone around the world in less than a second.
I have crossed 100 labyrinths and I never get confused.

Continue reading ““Muerte En Hawaii” (Death in Hawaii) by Calle 13, English translation and discussion”