Suegra means "mother-in-law". While a common family term, it's a unique and funny word to find in the lyrics of a classic party song.
In "El Año Viejo," the singer fondly recalls all the good things the past year left him: a goat, a donkey, a horse, and—most humorously—a good mother-in-law! The line "una buena suegra" (a good mother-in-law) is a charming and unexpected twist, making it one of the most memorable parts of this beloved New Year's Eve anthem.
This song is a total party classic for New Year's Eve, and it's all about gratitude. Instead of being sad that a year is over, Mexican singer Tony Camargo is celebrating everything it gave him. He repeats over and over, "Yo no olvido al año viejo / Porque me ha dejado cosas muy buenas" [I don't forget the old year / Because it has left me very good things]. It's a really positive and fun way to look back.
So what amazing gifts did the old year leave behind? Well, it's a very specific and funny list: "Me dejó una chiva, una burra negra / Una yegua blanca y una buena suegra" [It left me a goat, a black donkey / a white mare and a good mother-in-law]. Yes, you read that right! Alongside a few farm animals, getting a good mother-in-law is counted as one of the year's biggest blessings. The rest of the song is basically just calls to dance and have a good time, making it the perfect track for a happy celebration.
Tony Camargo was a Mexican singer from Guadalajara, born on June 1, 1926, and later based in Mérida, where he died in 2020.
He is best known for his early-1950s recording of El Año Viejo, a festive standard across Latin America each New Year.
With a warm, versatile voice, Camargo moved comfortably through tropical styles, bolero, and cumbia, often performing with leading dance orchestras such as Chucho Rodríguez’s.
His career began in the 1940s and spanned radio, television, film, extensive touring, and many recordings, cementing his status as a seasonal favorite for December celebrations.