Mulata is a term used in Spanish to describe a woman of mixed European and African ancestry. While the word's origins are complex, in the context of this song and Caribbean culture, it's used to describe a beautiful and captivating woman.
Jarabe de Palo sings, "Coral negro de La Habana, tremendísima mulata" (Black coral of Havana, a most tremendous 'mulata'). The word paints a vivid picture of the song's mysterious subject, 'La Flaca', celebrating her unique beauty and heritage.
Spanish rock group Jarabe de Palo delivers pure, obsessive infatuation here. The singer is totally spellbound by a woman in Havana, Cuba, nicknamed La Flaca (The Skinny Girl). He describes her with wild, vivid details: "cien libras de piel y hueso" (a hundred pounds of skin and bone) and "cuarenta kilos de salsa" (forty kilos of salsa rhythm). She has eyes like two blazing suns that speak without words ("en la cara dos soles / que sin palabras hablan"). Her daily routine is just as striking: she sleeps away the daytime to trick her appetite ("dice que así el hambre engaña") and spends every night drinking beer and dancing endlessly down at the tasca (a traditional local tavern or dive bar).
The whole track builds around an intense, desperate craving for intimacy. He confesses that he is going crazy wanting to sleep beside her ("enloquezco de ganas de dormir a su ladito"), tossing and turning in bed while remembering the touch she shared on their very first day together. Everything boils down to one simple, repeating chorus that drives home his madness: "Por un beso de La Flaca / daría lo que fuera" (For a kiss from La Flaca, I would give anything)—even if he only gets a single one.
Jarabe de Palo is a Spanish rock band founded in 1996 in Barcelona, led by the charismatic singer, songwriter, and guitarist Pau Donés. Known for their heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies, the band quickly rose to fame with hits like La Flaca and Depende. Over the years, they earned critical acclaim, receiving prestigious awards such as Premios de la Música and Premio Ondas, along with Grammy nominations.
In 2008, Jarabe de Palo took an independent route by creating their own label, Tronco Records, and continued releasing fresh music including Orquesta Reciclando and Somos. Their collaborations span artists like Celia Cruz, Antonio Vega, and Ricky Martin, showcasing their versatile style. The band disbanded in 2020 after the passing of Pau Donés, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music that resonates across generations.