Costumbre translates to "habit" or "custom." While it might seem like a common word, its use in this song is particularly poignant and central to the theme.
Pepe Aguilar sings, "No cabe duda que es verdad que la costumbre es más fuerte que el amor" (There's no doubt it's true that habit is stronger than love). This line highlights a deep emotional truth: sometimes, the routine and familiarity of a relationship can keep people together even after the initial love has faded, making it a powerful and relatable concept.
Pepe Aguilar builds this one around a blunt idea: some people don't come back because they love you, they come back out of habit. He opens almost casually — "Háblame de ti" ("Talk to me about you") — before telling her exactly why he's sure she'll be back: "Aunque intentes olvidarme" ("even if you try to forget me"), "Siempre volverás" ("you'll always come back").
The hook says the quiet part out loud: "No cabe duda que es verdad que la costumbre" ("There's no doubt that it's true that habit") "Es más fuerte que el amor" ("is stronger than love"). Neither of them pretends the love is still there. "Pero te extraño" ("but I miss you") is as close as it gets to tenderness, and it's answered with "Solo rencor" ("only resentment"). This is a song about staying stuck with someone out of routine, not romance, and it doesn't dress that up.
Pepe Aguilar is one of the great voices of modern Mexican music, known for bringing ranchera, mariachi, and regional Mexican traditions to new generations.
Born into the legendary Aguilar family, he is the son of Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, and has built his own award-winning career with a powerful voice, elegant style, and a sound that blends tradition with modern influences. His music is a great way to hear expressive Spanish, rich emotion, and classic Mexican storytelling.