Barbaridad literally translates to "atrocity" or "outrage", but in everyday Spanish, it's often used as an exclamation to express surprise, shock, or even admiration, similar to saying "How crazy!" or "Unbelievable!"
In "La Rueda", Frankie Ruiz uses it to convey his disbelief and frustration at the woman's actions and the pain she caused him. He exclaims, "¡Qué barbaridad!", highlighting the emotional impact of her betrayal and how unbelievable her behavior was.
Frankie Ruiz's "La Rueda" is a classic salsa track that tells a story of unrequited love and a lover's painful realization. Our singer compares his beloved to a "rueda" [wheel] and himself to the "camino" [road]. He describes her as constantly moving, passing over him, and unable to be stopped: "Tú rodarás, porque ese es tu destino / Sin encontrar, nadie que te detenga" [You will roll, because that is your destiny / Without finding anyone to stop you]. He tried to stop her, but she was "sin frenos" [without brakes], and her constant movement left him "hecho pedazos" [in pieces].
He laments that she didn't want the "caminos buenos" [good roads] and just grabbed everything in her path. He had dreamed of being the end of her journey, but she passed by like a "ave perdida" [lost bird], going "de aquí pa' allá, sin agarrar tu rumbo" [from here to there, without finding your way]. The singer expresses his deep hurt, saying no other wheel, no matter how heavy, had ever hurt him like she did. He gave her everything, even "todita mi lana" [all my money], but she didn't appreciate it. The song ends with a blunt statement: "Tú lo perdiste todo y aquí tú no tienes nada" [You lost everything and here you have nothing].
Frankie Ruiz (born José Antonio Torresola Ruiz; March 10, 1958 to August 9, 1998) was a Puerto Rican American salsa singer celebrated as El Papá de la Salsa. Originating from Paterson, New Jersey, Ruiz rose to prominence in the 1980s as a leading voice of salsa romántica, a subgenre that blended romantic lyrics with vibrant salsa rhythms.
His solo debut Solista pero no solo launched several hits, including the classic La Cura, earning him widespread acclaim in Latin America, the United States, and Spain. Despite personal struggles with addiction, Ruiz's passionate vocals and energetic performances left an indelible mark on salsa music, influencing generations of salseros and fans alike. His legacy continues to resonate as a symbol of salsa's emotional depth and cultural richness.