Learn Spanish With codiciado with these 11 Song Recommendations (Full Translations Included!)

codiciado
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning Spanish with codiciado's music is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. It is also great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning Spanish!
Below are 11 song recommendations by codiciado to get you started! Alongside each recommendation, you will find a snippet of the lyric translations with links to the full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs!
CONTENTS SUMMARY
El Prieto (The Dark-Skinned One)
El ruido que hicieron las balas
Al disparar el fusil
Descuido de manejar
Quemando un gallo para la casa
The noise that the bullets made
when firing the rifle
careless driving
burning a rooster for the house

This song tells a dramatic and tragic story from a first-person perspective. The narrator begins by describing a carefree moment, driving home while "smiling and happy" and smoking. This relaxed mood is shattered when he realizes he's being followed. Suddenly, a car-to-car shootout erupts, and he's caught in the crossfire.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the chaos: "the bullets reached me" and "I lost control of the car." The narrator dies unexpectedly, noting that "a life was extinguished there." In his final moments, he speaks to his mother and father, saying he is coming to join them in the afterlife. His last request is for someone to take care of "El preso," promising, "I'm watching over you from here."

Que Ni Yo Me Entiendo (I Don't Even Understand Myself)
Que ni yo me entiendo
Dijo mamá Hace tiempo
Mi sueño
Persiguiendo
that I don't even understand myself
said mom a long time ago
my dream
chasing

Ever felt like you're a puzzle, even to yourself? That's the heart of Codiciado's song, whose title translates to "Not Even I Understand Myself." The artist reflects on this feeling, even mentioning that his own mother once said it about him. But instead of worrying, he embraces it. The lyrics paint a picture of someone fiercely chasing their dreams and betting their life on their feelings, all with a powerful attitude of no regrets. He sees every experience as a lesson to be thankful for.

Beyond his personal journey, the artist also takes a stand for authenticity. He criticizes the music scene, calling out others for being too "commercial" and all sounding the same. He believes his own music is different, leaving a hidden "message between each verse" for listeners to find. For him, respect isn't just given; it's earned through real-life experience, and he's here to present that genuine respect through his art.

El Señor Grande (The Great Lord)
De los meses del año mayo el más
Poderoso de los más respetados y los más
Peligrosos del sombrero
El señor Grande
of the months of the year May the most
powerful of the most respected and the most
dangerous hat
Mr. Big

This song paints a picture of a powerful and respected figure, referred to as "el señor Grande" (the big man). The lyrics suggest he is so influential that he is protected by everyone, from "el pueblo" (the people) to even members of the government. He runs a massive operation with a large budget, strong businesses, and heavy "armamento" (weaponry) for his crew.

Despite his dangerous world, the song portrays him as a family man with deep roots in his land. The narrator reflects on the past, remembering humble beginnings cultivating poppies on the hills. Now, he is surrounded by loyal and stealthy men, his "panteras" (panthers), who ensure his safety. The song is a corrido, a traditional Mexican ballad, that tells a story of power, loyalty, and a life lived outside the law, celebrating the leader's legacy and influence.

El Gordo (The Fat One)
Ahí estaba Gordo
Tacuchamona
Por el jefe Doy la vida si eso es
Necesario el viejo es mi compadre No
there was fat
tacuchamona
for the boss I give my life if that's what
necessary the old man is my compadre No

Get ready to step into the world of a corrido, a traditional Mexican ballad that tells a story. In "El Gordo," which translates to "The Fat One," the singer paints a vivid picture of a life filled with danger, loyalty, and power. The narrator, who goes by the nickname "Gordo," describes himself as a man who may look calm but is always ready for action. He's fiercely loyal to his boss, or "el jefe," and his crew, who he calls "bad demons but good people" who never back down from a fight.

This song doesn't shy away from the gritty details of his lifestyle. He mentions losing count of the guns he's fired and the illegal goods he's smuggled into the United States ("el gabacho"). The lyrics speak of starting from nothing, losing comrades in violent confrontations, and taking revenge on their enemies. Despite the constant danger, there's also a sense of pride and celebration. He calls for music from famous artists like Enigma Norteño and Lenin Ramírez, ready to party in the cities of Culiacán and Mazatlán, surrounded by beautiful women and his ever-present crew.

El Casco (The Helmet)
Hasta el verde Sinaloa
Con gastos militares los que andan tras
Del señor y para su protección blindadas
Las camionetas
to the green Sinaloa
with military expenses those who are after
of the lord and for his armored protection
the vans

Welcome to the world of "El Casco," a modern corrido that paints a vivid picture of life in Sinaloa, Mexico. The singer describes a high-stakes environment where military forces are a constant presence and armored trucks are necessary for protection. He presents himself as a man who lives by a strict code: he loves action and parties, but he doesn't drink alcohol. He's always armed, carrying a short gun in his belt, and operates on a simple principle: "al que me respeta respeto le doy" (I give respect to those who respect me).

Beyond the action, the song is built on themes of loyalty and remembrance. The narrator pays tribute to fallen comrades ("para los caídos mucho respeto") and powerful figures he respects, including "los jefes" (the bosses). He shares stories of his family's struggles, mentioning one brother captured by the marines in Mazatlán and another who also likes to fight. It's a glimpse into a life where danger is always near—he's had close calls with death—but he remains a reserved, good friend who won't be pushed around.

El Jefe 3 (The Boss 3)
El señor tiene clave también
En Jalisco es jefe del Cartel por el
Radio es el número tres
Y él es el hijo del mencho
The man also has a code name
in Jalisco he's the Cartel boss, by the
radio he's number three
and he's Mencho's son

This song paints a picture of life inside a powerful and dangerous organization. The narrator presents himself as "El Jefe 3" (The Boss 3), the son of the main leader, "Mencho." He makes it clear that he is a key figure in a cartel based in Jalisco, a group so well-known that even the government is aware of them.

The lyrics describe a world of high stakes and constant risk. The narrator talks about their operations, which involve:

  • Armored trucks and advanced technology like drones.
  • International business reaching as far as Europe.
  • A strict code where respect for family and the hierarchy is everything. He warns that he is not a calm man and shows no mercy to his enemies, asserting that anyone who wants to operate in their territory must go through him first. It's a bold declaration of power and control.
La Que Se Fue (The One Who Left)
Una botella de tequila y un cigarro pa' entonarme
Una dama y una guitarra que en la noche me acompañen
Me la paso con mujeres con la excusa de olvidarte
Que me canten otra vez la que se fue
A bottle of tequila and a cigarette to get me going
A lady and a guitar to keep me company at night
I spend my time with women with the excuse of forgetting you
Let them sing to me again about the one who left

"La Que Se Fue" starts with a ritual: a bottle, a cigarette, a guitar. Codiciado opens with "Una botella de tequila y un cigarro pa' entonarme" ["A bottle of tequila and a cigarette to get me going"], because tonight he wants "Que me canten otra vez la que se fue" ["them to sing to me again about the one who left"]. He's spending his nights with other women "con la excusa de olvidarte" ["with the excuse of forgetting you"], and by his own account it barely works.

The verses swing between bragging and confessing. He claims he's "curado de espanto" ["cured of being scared"] and "Bien puestos los pantalones" ["got his pants on straight"], tough talk that collapses two lines later into "Triste me quedo" ["I'm left sad"] and "Lloro en silencio" ["I cry in silence"]. The chorus keeps circling back to "Yo nunca te mentí" ["I never lied to you"], like honesty alone should have been enough. By the last thirty seconds Santa Fe Klan and Pitt Blanco show up just to shout "Puro Golden, Puro Codiciado, loco" ["All Golden, all Codiciado, crazy"], and the breakup song ends as a toast to the crew instead.

Blanca Y María (Blanca And María)
Por culpa de Blanca no me fui contigo
Por andar borracho me hiciste tu amigo
Me llevé a María pa' no sentirme solo
Ay, cómo la gozo, ay, cómo la gozo
Because of Blanca I didn't go with you
For being drunk you made me your friend
I took María so I wouldn't feel alone
Oh, how I enjoy it, oh, how I enjoy it

This song, "Blanca Y María," by Codiciado and Fuerza Regida, tells a really fun and a bit chaotic story about a guy who can't seem to choose between two women, Blanca and María, and maybe a third, his main love interest. He starts by admitting, "Por culpa de Blanca no me fui contigo" [Because of Blanca, I didn't go with you], suggesting Blanca was a distraction. He also mentions getting drunk and ending up with María to avoid feeling lonely: "Me llevé a María pa' no sentirme solo" [I took María so I wouldn't feel alone]. He even says, "Ay, cómo la gozo, ay, cómo la gozo" [Oh, how I enjoy her, oh, how I enjoy her], which is pretty blunt!

Things get even more complicated as he tries to explain himself. He remembers the morning after with "Los botes abiertos y olor a Marlboro" [Open cans and the smell of Marlboro], and "Llamadas perdidas y un corazón roto" [Missed calls and a broken heart]. He blames his main love interest for the situation, saying, "Pero fue por tu culpa" [But it was your fault], and then tries to explain his reasons for not being able to leave Blanca and María. He says, "Cuando ando con Blanca, pego de suspiro" [When I'm with Blanca, I sigh] and "Cuando ando contigo, me siento tranquilo" [When I'm with you, I feel calm], showing how different they are. He even claims, "sin las dos me muero" [without the two of them, I die], which is a pretty dramatic way to say he needs them both! It's a wild ride of excuses and affections, all wrapped up in a catchy tune.

El Plumas
Ya me dieron ganas de tomar y escuchar
La banda
Mis hijos son y siempre serán Mi
Motivación lo principal ya después la
I already wanted to drink and listen
the band
my children are and always will be my
motivation the main thing and after the

In "El Plumas," the singer paints a picture of his life, balancing two very different worlds. On one hand, he's a family man who finds his main motivation in his children ("mis hijos son y siempre serán Mi motivación"). He enjoys simple pleasures like drinking, listening to band music, and relaxing in Jalisco. He presents himself as a calm person who keeps a low profile ("soy tranquilo," "bajo perfil me muevo").

However, this calm exterior hides a dangerous reality. The lyrics reveal a life of constant vigilance, where betrayal is common and you must always be ready for a fight ("no se acaban las traiciones," "listos para batallas"). The singer, who calls himself "El Plumas," openly states his allegiance to a powerful leader named Mencho and mentions his "activities" in Jalisco. He operates within a strict hierarchy where loyalty is everything ("aquí se hace lo que dice el jefe") and he is surrounded by a large team that never fails him.

Si Yo Me Activo (If I Get Active)
Llevo en alto la bandera de mi equipo
Estamos firmes donde sea
Pa'l que dude doy la muestra
Ahí les dejo la respuesta
I carry the flag of my team held high
We stand firm anywhere
For anyone that doubts, I show the proof
There I leave you the answer

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of loyalty, power, and street life with Codiciado's "Si Yo Me Activo." The song paints a vivid picture of a person who lives by a strict code. The narrator is calm and strategic ("siempre frío / Y con la mente en la jugada"), but always ready for action. Loyalty is everything; he carries his team's flag high ("Llevo en alto la bandera de mi equipo") and demands the same from his inner circle, believing that friendship is never for sale ("La amistad nunca está en venta"). This isn't a life for the faint of heart—it's a world of constant alertness, where one must protect what's theirs and never back down from a challenge.

The lyrics are filled with intense imagery that hints at a dangerous lifestyle. The narrator mentions his favorite weapon ("En la mano 45, mi calibre favorito"), relies on lookouts ("Halcones y punteros"), and acknowledges the life-or-death risks involved, noting that "Uno siempre sale, pero no todos regresan" (One always leaves, but not everyone returns). Amidst the danger, there's a clear separation between personal and professional life: "La familia es uno y el negocio es diferente" (Family is one thing and business is another). It's a raw and unfiltered look into a world where staying sharp and loyal is the only way to survive.

Vida Loca (Crazy Life)
Su jefita está rezándole a su dios
Y el muchacho está rezándole a la muerte
En la calle se gana la admiración
Cuando se hacen las cosas diferente
His mom is praying to his god
And the boy is praying to death
On the street, admiration is earned
When things are done differently

Get ready for a raw look into the "Vida Loca" or "Crazy Life." This song paints a vivid picture of a world where choices are a matter of life and death. The lyrics contrast a mother's prayers to God with her son's prayers to Death, showing a life lived on the edge. It's a story of trading childhood toys for pistols and earning respect on the streets by being different. Despite the danger, there's a deep loyalty to this life, a feeling that it's the only way to provide for family and secure a future.

The song is a classic corrido full of bravado and declarations of power. The artists boast about their luxury cars, frozen Rolex watches, and influence, comparing themselves to famous figures. They talk about a code where loyalty is everything and weakness is not tolerated. It's a narrative about embracing a dangerous path due to a lack of other opportunities, where one must "kill or die" to get ahead. The message is clear: in this world, you either end up a boss, dead, or in prison.

We have more songs with translations on our website and mobile app. You can find the links to the website and our mobile app below. We hope you enjoy learning Spanish with music!
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