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

Jhonny Rivera
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning Spanish with Jhonny Rivera'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 Jhonny Rivera 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
Alguien Me Gusta (I Like Someone)
Alguien me gusta, pero no puedo decirle
Tiene una vida construída que no puedo destruirle
Yo quisiera decirle
Que ignorarla fue imposible
I like someone, but I can't tell them
They have a life built that I can't destroy
I would like to tell them
That ignoring her was impossible

In "Alguien Me Gusta", Colombian icon Jhonny Rivera teams up with Andy Rivera and Jessi Uribe to pour out the bittersweet confession of a man who has fallen for someone who is already taken. He knows “mil maneras para enamorarte” yet keeps his feelings locked away, terrified of wrecking the life she has built. The song’s upbeat, party-ready vallenato and banda blend hides a tug-of-war between desire and conscience, making every accordion lick sound like a heart skipping a beat.

As the night deepens and the bottles empty, liquid courage whispers that one call could change everything. The narrator imagines her rushing to him, vows he would be powerless to resist, and admits that in his mind she is “mía y de nadie más.” It is a raw snapshot of love stuck in the friend zone, fueled by alcohol, regret, and impossible longing. Whether you’re dancing or day-dreaming, the song reminds us how easily passion can blur the line between right and wrong.

Mi Decisión [Remix] (My Decision [Remix])
La decisión
Las que yo un día tomé
Me tienen media los tres
Pero lo tengo que hacer
The decision
the ones I once took
I have average the three
but I have to do it

Have you ever had to make a really tough choice in a relationship? In "Mi Decisión," the singers explore this exact feeling. It's a song about deciding to leave someone you love, even when it's incredibly hard. The lyrics tell us the singer feels they gave their whole heart, but their partner's love was missing. They've reached a point where they are simply tired of the situation and have to walk away.

The song paints a picture of a love that has died. The singer recalls fighting for the relationship, even confronting their partner's parents, but it wasn't enough. Now, they are leaving with a heavy heart but also with great pride, knowing they "por ti todo intenté" (tried everything for you). It's a powerful message about knowing your worth and having the strength to leave, even if you're not sure what will happen next.

Cómo Le Explico (How Do I Explain to Her)
Como le explicó que hace un tiempo entre
Mis brazos
Ya tuve a ella en una noche de pasión
Porque desde aquel momento no puedo
as he explained that some time ago between
My arms
I already had her in a night of passion
because since then I can't

Jhonny Rivera's "Cómo Le Explico" is a really honest, and a little bit messy, look at a man caught between two relationships. He's in a tough spot, trying to figure out how to tell the person he's with that he's fallen for someone else.

He admits that he had a passionate night with another woman, and since then, he can't get her out of his head. She's become an "obsesión" [obsession]. He's struggling with how to explain that this new person, with her "encantos y su brillo" [charms and sparkle], brought out the "perro infiel que había en mi interior" [unfaithful dog that was inside me]. He knows he doesn't want to hurt anyone, but he's clearly in deep, saying "caí en la más bella tentación" [I fell into the most beautiful temptation] and that this new person has won over his will. It's a classic dilemma, and he's just trying to figure out how to confess it all.

Tú Y Yo (You And I)
Debemos esperar a que se dé la
Oportunidad de vernos a escondidas
Intentaremos aguantar porque yo tengo
Esposa y tú también comprometida no es
We must wait for the
Opportunity to see each other secretly
We will try to endure because I have
Wife and you also engaged is not

Jhonny Rivera's "Tú y Yo" is a super honest look at a forbidden romance. It's all about two people who are already in relationships – he has a wife, and she's also committed – but they can't deny the intense connection they feel for each other. The lyrics really get into the struggle of trying to resist, saying "no es fácil soportar los besos y caricias de alguien que ya no te llena" [it's not easy to endure the kisses and caresses of someone who no longer fulfills you].

The song builds up the anticipation of a secret meeting, with both of them knowing that "cuando llegue el momento serán inmensas las ganas" [when the moment comes, the desire will be immense]. They're dreaming of a time when they can be together, even if it's just for a while, before they have to go back to their separate lives. It's a pretty bold and relatable take on longing and temptation, showing that sometimes, even when you know it's wrong, the heart wants what it wants.

El Mujeriego (The Womanizer)
Pero puede pasarse la vida
2
Sabrosura
Verde mi propia
But you can spend your life
2
tastiness
green my own

Get ready to meet the ultimate charmer in Jhonny Rivera's "El Mujeriego"! This song is all about a guy who openly admits he's a womanizer, and he's not shy about it at all. He sings, "la mujer que quiera yo me le entrego" [any woman I want, I give myself to her], explaining why everyone calls him "el mujeriego" [the womanizer]. He even claims to have a natural talent for conquering hearts, a "don para conquistar" [gift for conquering]!

Our guy describes how he gets super nervous when he sees a woman, saying, "me sudan las manos y no sé qué hacer" [my hands sweat and I don't know what to do]. But despite that, he's got loves "en todos lados" [everywhere] and can't stick to just one. He likes all kinds of women: tall, short, thin, curvy, widows, single ladies, young, and even older women! He's so confident that he challenges anyone to try and make him settle down, asking, "como hacen que ninguna le ha puesto el tate quieto" [how is it that no one has put a stop to him]? He even jokes that he must have been given "viagra en este estero" [viagra in this estuary] because of his endless energy for romance. It's a fun, boastful track about a man who loves women and isn't afraid to say it!

Ya Venías Aprendida (You Already Came Learned)
Y ahora soy el tema de tus
Conversaciones voy de boca en boca y es
Gracias a tus amigas que se han
Encargado de hacerle publicidad a todos
and now I'm the topic of your
conversations, I go from mouth to mouth and it's
thanks to your friends who have
taken charge of advertising all

Jhonny Rivera is not holding back in "Ya Venías Aprendida"! This song is a fiery clap-back from a man who's tired of being the bad guy in his ex-girlfriend's stories. He's hearing all about how he's "el tema de tus conversaciones" [the topic of your conversations] and how her friends are spreading tales. But he's got a message for her: "discúlpame niña pero estás muy confundida" [excuse me girl but you are very confused].

He reminds her of all he did, pulling her out of a tough spot and showing her the world. He taught her a hard truth: "quien te compra joyas después te regala heridas" [who buys you jewels later gives you wounds]. Now, he's paying for her bad choices, with people talking trash about him without knowing about her betrayals. He makes it clear he's not to blame for her path, stating bluntly, "yo no te enseñe tú ya venías aprendida" [I didn't teach you, you already came learned]. It's a powerful and direct song about taking responsibility for your own life!

El Camino De La Vida (The Path of Life)
Deprisa como el viento
Van pasando
Los días y las noches
De la infancia
Fast as the wind
They are passing
Days and nights
Childhood

Jhonny Rivera's "El Camino de La Vida" [The Path of Life] is a beautiful journey through the different stages of life, from childhood to old age. He starts by describing how fast childhood passes, with an angel watching over us, before we enter our youth.

Then come the teenage years, filled with school, friends, and the first stirrings of love, as the soul begins to "cultivar un sueño" [cultivate a dream]. He talks about how "el dolor y la alegría son la esencia permanente de la vida" [pain and joy are the permanent essence of life], which is such a true observation. The song then moves into adulthood, forming a home, raising children, and the sacrifices parents make "para que cuando crezcan lleguen lejos" [so that when they grow up they go far]. It's a really touching look at the hopes parents have for their kids. Finally, it touches on the bittersweet moment when children leave, and the loneliness that can follow, leading to a heartfelt plea: "Si llego a la vejez que estés conmigo" [If I reach old age, be with me].

Mi Amor Secreto (My Secret Love)
Que alguien le explique a mi corazón
Pero con plastilina porque es terco no no
No quiere entender que no debo amarte porque tengo mujer
Pero abro mis ojos y te quiero ver
Let someone explain to my heart
But with plasticine because it is stubborn no no
He doesn't want to understand that I shouldn't love you because I have a wife
But I open my eyes and I want to see you

Jhonny Rivera brings us a song about a man caught in a really tough spot! He's got a secret love, and his heart is just not cooperating. He sings, "Que alguien le explique a mi corazón, pero con plastilina porque es terco no no" [Someone explain to my heart, but with play-doh because it's stubborn, no no]. He knows he shouldn't love this new person because he's already married, but he can't help wanting to see them and run to them.

It's a classic dilemma: his wife is good, and he never wants her to find out. He's even deleting messages without reading them! But this secret love is driving him crazy. He acknowledges that it's not easy for his secret love to accept only "migajas" [crumbs] of his affection when they give their all. He feels this new love has given his life a "nueva ilusión" [new illusion/hope], and he describes his heart as a "potro sin frenos" [colt without brakes], jumping fences and not caring about the pain because love is an "anestesia" [anesthetic] for the wounds. It's a really honest look at the messy feelings of forbidden love.

Te Extraño (I Miss You)
De la noche a la mañana
Tú no podrás olvidarme, no
Aunque ahora duermas con él y pueda entrar en tu piel
Nunca podrá reemplazarme
From night to morning
You won't be able to forget me, no
Even though now you sleep with him and he can enter your skin
He will never be able to replace me

Jhonny Rivera's "Te Extraño" is a powerful and emotional song about the struggle of moving on after a breakup. The singer is clearly heartbroken and can't believe his ex will forget him, singing, "De la noche a la mañana, Tú no podrás olvidarme, no" [From one night to the next, you won't be able to forget me, no]. He's convinced that even though she's with someone new, "Nunca podrá reemplazarme" [He'll never be able to replace me] because of the deep connection they shared.

He's consumed by jealousy, imagining her new relationship while he's drowning his sorrows, "Él te desnuda y recorre tu cuerpo, Yo en la cantina reviento de celos" [He undresses you and explores your body, I'm bursting with jealousy in the bar]. Despite his outward bravado in front of friends, he admits, "Pero me pongo a tomar y no me puedo aguantar, Y hasta les lloro de frente" [But I start drinking and I can't hold back, And I even cry in front of them]. It's a raw and honest look at the pain of a love lost, and the struggle to accept that it's truly over.

Bella (Beautiful)
Antes de ti no hay antes
No hay amigos, no hay amantes
Ni pasado ni reloj
Que merezca recordarse
Before you there is no before
No friends, no lovers
Neither past nor watch
Let it deserve to be remembered

Jhonny Rivera's "Bella" is a heartfelt declaration of love that puts his beloved at the absolute center of his world. He sings, "Antes de ti no hay antes / No hay amigos, no hay amantes / Ni pasado ni reloj / Que merezca recordarse" [Before you there is no before / No friends, no lovers / No past nor clock / Worth remembering], which is a pretty intense way to say she's everything! Her presence calms him "en medio de la noche / A través de la tormenta" [in the middle of the night / Through the storm], showing just how much comfort and stability she brings to his life.

He even says her smile and caresses are more important than a lighthouse or the sun, guiding his path and teaching him his destiny. It's clear he needs her more than air, water, or even life itself! My favorite part might be when he describes her chasing flies around the house "tan desesperada / Como gato, tras ratón" [as desperate / As a cat, after a mouse] – it's such a specific and endearing image that really brings her to life. He calls her "Transparentemente bella / Endiabladamente bella" [Transparently beautiful / Devilishly beautiful] and his "diamante rubio" [blonde diamond], making it clear that her beauty, inside and out, completely captivates him.

El Pegao (The Stuck One)
Y se llegó el día de la fiesta y nadie
Me ha llamado
Hicieron una fiesta ya mí no me
Invitaron y yo tan buena gente eso sí
and the day of the party arrived and no one
Called me
They had a party and I didn't
they invited me and so good people yes

Have you ever felt left out? Jhonny Rivera's "El Pegao" is all about that feeling, but with a hilarious twist! Our guy finds out there's a party happening, and guess what? He wasn't invited! He sings, "hicieron una fiesta ya mí no me invitaron y yo tan buena gente eso sí está muy raro" [they had a party and didn't invite me, and I'm such a good person, that's really weird].

But instead of staying home and sulking, he decides to crash it! He declares, "mejor me cambio y me voy para allá" [I'd better change and go there]. Once he's there, he's not leaving, no matter what! He's the life of the party, the one who brings the flavor, and he's ready to dance all night. Even when people give him dirty looks for eating all the pork rinds, he's like, "cuál es el problema para eso lo compraron" [what's the problem, they bought it for that]. He's a total party animal, and it's super funny to hear him insist, "yo de aquí ya no me voy" [I'm not leaving here now]!

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