Embustero translates to "liar" or "deceiver". It's a strong and somewhat dramatic word that isn't as common as simpler terms for lying, making it stand out.
In the song, the narrator uses it to describe a rival who is trying to win over his beloved with false promises. He sings, "Parece que oigo al feliz embustero" (It seems I hear the happy deceiver), highlighting the rival's deceptive charm and the narrator's cynical view of his intentions. This word adds a layer of intrigue and conflict to the lyrics.
Joan Sebastian spends the whole song circling one word: quién — who. He's picturing the man who'll eventually try to win her away, and he sketches the rival in specific, unflattering strokes: he'll show off and dress her up to be seen with him ("Quién se va a lucir y quién / Se va adornar llevándote a su lado" — "who's going to show off, and who will dress you up to take you to his side"), swear he loves her more, and beg forgiveness with pretty words he doesn't mean.
Against that portrait he sets his own claim, dated rather than vague: "Yo sé que en el séptimo día de febrero / Llevan marcado con amor verdadero" — "I know the seventh day of February is marked with true love." It plays less like a love song than a pre-emptive argument, building his own case for sincerity by describing, point by point, every way a rival could fake it.
Joan Sebastian, from Mexico, was a beloved singer and songwriter often called "El Poeta del Pueblo." He blended traditional Mexican sounds like mariachi and ranchera with pop influences.
He wrote countless songs, many of which became big hits for himself and other artists. His performances often featured him on horseback, adding to his stage presence. Some of his most popular songs include "Secreto de Amor," "Tatuajes," and "Juliantla."