Learn Spanish with Vallenato Music with these 11 Song Recommendations (Full Translations Included!)
Learning Spanish with Vallenato is a great way to learn Spanish! Learning with music is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. So music and song lyrics are a great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning Spanish!
Below are 11 Vallenato song recommendations to get you started learning Spanish! We have full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs recommended below, so check out all of our resources. We hope you enjoy learning Spanish with Vallenato!
CONTENTS SUMMARY
1. La Bicicleta (The Bicycle)
Carlos Vives, Shakira
Nada voy a hacer
Rebuscando en las heridas del pasado
No voy a perder
Yo no quiero ser un tipo de otro lado
I will do nothing
Digging in the wounds of the past
I'm not going to lose
I don't want to be a guy from the other side
"La Bicicleta" by Carlos Vives is a song about the joy of living life to the fullest and embracing the beauty of the world around us. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is determined to move on from the pain of the past and find happiness in the present. He finds joy in the simple things, like riding a bicycle and spending time with the one he loves. The song also celebrates the beauty of the Colombian landscape, from Santa Marta to La Arenosa, and encourages us to take the time to appreciate the world around us.
2. La Bicicleta (The Bicycle)
Shakira, Carlos Vives
Nada voy a hacer
Rebuscando en las heridas del pasado
No voy a perder
Yo no quiero ser un tipo de otro lado
I will do nothing
Digging in the wounds of the past
I'm not going to lose
I don't want to be a guy from the other side
In Shakira's song "La Bicicleta", she encourages her love interest to take her away on a bike ride, away from the troubles of the past. She expresses her admiration for him, describing him as "diferente" and "despelucado". She also sings of her love for her hometown of Barranquilla and Barcelona, and encourages her love interest to show her the beauty of the Tayrona region. The song is a vallenato-style love song, with a catchy chorus of "Lleva, llévame en tu bicicleta" ("Take, take me on your bike").
3. Robarte Un Beso (To Steal A Kiss From You)
Carlos Vives, Sebastian Yatra
Son muchos años que pasaron sin decir te quiero
Y en verdad te quiero
Pero encuentro formas de engañar mi corazón
Son muchos años que pasaron sin robarte un beso
Many years passed without saying I love you
And I really love you
But I find ways to deceive my heart
Many years passed without stealing a kiss from you
In the song Robarte un Beso by Carlos Vives, the singer expresses his longing for a romantic connection with someone he has known for a long time. He expresses his desire to steal a kiss from them, and to write a song for them, as a way of expressing his love. He also expresses his hope that the kiss will be enough to make them stay with him. The song is a plea for a romantic connection, and a reminder of the power of love.
4. Vivir Bailando (Living Dancing)
Silvestre Dangond, Maluma
Y yo aquí pensando que tú eres bonita
Ay, creo que si lo intento puedo enamorarte
No es casualidad que te tenga cerquita
A poca distancia pa' poder besarte
And I'm here thinking that you are pretty
Oh, I think that if I try I can make you fall in love
It's not a coincidence that I have you close
At a short distance to be able to kiss you
"Vivir Bailando" by Silvestre Dangond featuring Maluma is a vibrant and romantic song that captures the essence of living life joyfully and passionately with a loved one. The lyrics express a deep desire to share a life filled with dance, love, and adventure, emphasizing the beauty of being close to someone special. The song's narrative revolves around the idea of embracing love wholeheartedly, with the artists expressing their willingness to change past behaviors for the sake of a meaningful relationship. They envision a future together, dreaming of having children and exploring the world hand in hand. The playful and intimate tone of the song highlights the excitement of a budding romance, where the protagonists are eager to experience life's pleasures together, from dancing through life to creating a family.
5. La Última Vez (The Last Time)
Silvestre Dangond
No eres más que vanidad
Hasta lastima me das
Piensas que el mundo gira a tus pies
Y que puedes tener todo lo que te imaginas
You're nothing more than vanity
I even pity you
You think that the world turns at your feet
And that you can have everything that you imagine
In Silvestre Dangond's song "La Última Vez", he reflects on the end of a relationship that was filled with false promises and pride. He expresses his relief at being able to move on and his understanding that the relationship was a failure. He sings that this will be the last time he will look at, think of, and listen to his former partner.
6. Cásate Conmigo (Marry Me)
Silvestre Dangond, Nicky Jam
El amor, el amor no se acaba
El amor se transforma
Y se queda en el alma
Por amor, por amor se perdona
Love, love doesn't end
Love transforms
And it stays in the soul
For love, for love one forgives
Cásate Conmigo by Silvestre Dangond is a song about the power of love and the strength it can bring. The lyrics express the singer's desire to be with the person he loves and to make a lifelong commitment to her. He promises to be her husband, lover, and best friend, and to never leave her. He also invites his friend Nicky to be the best man at his wedding. The song is a plea for the person he loves to accept his proposal and to join him on the journey of life, no matter what storms they may face.
7. Vivo Pensando En Ti (I Live Thinking About You)
Felipe Peláez, Maluma
Yo no sé qué va a pasar
Pero sé que pongo en riesgo
Nuestros días de amistad
Ay no sé cómo sucedió
I don't know what's going to happen
But I know that I put at risk
Our days of friendship
Oh I don't know how it happened
In Vivo Pensando En Ti by Felipe Peláez, the singer expresses his feelings for a woman he has been friends with for a long time. He is aware that it is not normal to feel this way, but he can't control his emotions. He wants her to feel the same way and to stay with him forever. He acknowledges that he put their friendship at risk, but he is willing to take the chance and hopes that the other person will too.
8. La Tierra Del Olvido (The Land Of Oblivion)
Carlos Vives, Fanny Lu, Fonseca, Maluma, Andrea Echeverry, Coral Group, Cholo Valderrama, Her
Como la luna que alumbra
Por la noche los caminos
Como las hojas al viento
Como el sol espanta el frío
Like the moon that lights up
the roads at night
Like leaves in the wind
Like the sun chases the cold
"La Tierra Del Olvido" by Carlos Vives is a heartfelt tribute to Colombia, celebrating the beauty and richness of the country through its evocative lyrics. The song paints a vivid picture of longing and nostalgia for the homeland, with poetic imagery likening the love for Colombia to essential elements of nature like the moon, leaves, sun, rain, and sea. The collaboration of various artists adds layers of emotion and depth to the song, capturing the essence of Colombian culture and pride. Through its passionate verses and lively rhythms, "La Tierra Del Olvido" conveys a deep sense of connection and love for Colombia, making it a powerful anthem that resonates with listeners on a profound level.
9. Las Mujeres (Women)
Carlos Vives, Juanes
Ay las mujeres, las mujeres, las mujeres
Hombre qué vaina las mujeres
Ellas son las que tienen en tormento mi alma
Arruinada y sin calma porque ya no me quieren
Oh the women, the women, the women
Man, what a thing, the women
They are the ones who have my soul in torment
Ruined and without calm because they don't love me anymore
"Las Mujeres" by Carlos Vives featuring Juanes is a heartfelt song that delves into the complexities of relationships and heartbreak. Through poignant lyrics, the artists express the pain and turmoil caused by unrequited love and betrayal. The song reflects on the struggles of navigating romantic relationships, the loss of love, and the search for genuine connection and understanding. With a blend of emotion and introspection, "Las Mujeres" captures the universal experience of heartache and resilience in the face of adversity.
10. Eso Es Mondar (That's Peeling)
Carlos Vives, DJ Marimonda, El Elvis Cienaguero
Dj Marimonda
Para las Marimondas del mundo
Hay palabras del idioma que se han hecho a mala fama
Y aunque la justicia aclama las llaman vulgaridad
DJ Marimonda
For the Marimondas of the world
There are words in the language that have gotten a bad name
And even though justice defends them, they're called vulgarity
In "Eso Es Mondar," Carlos Vives, alongside DJ Marimonda and El Elvis Cienaguero, explores the playful and multifaceted nature of language, particularly focusing on the word "mondar." The song delves into the cultural significance and misunderstood connotations of this term, which means "to peel" in Spanish, while also serving as a metaphor for resilience and positivity in the face of life's challenges. Vives encourages listeners to embrace the word as a celebration of life, love, and the vibrant spirit of Colombian culture, particularly in the context of Barranquilla. Through catchy rhythms and lively lyrics, the song invites everyone to express their frustrations and joys, reminding us that even in difficult times, there’s always a reason to keep moving forward and to celebrate the beauty of language and community.
11. Tarde Lo Conoci (Late I Met Him)
Patricia Teheran y las diosas del vallenato
Yo no pense que usted me fuera a despertar
Esta grande ilusión que tengo yo que tengo yo
Yo no me imagine que no te iba a encontrar
Ese tipo de hombre que queria yo que queria yo
I didn't think that you would wake up
This big illusion that I have, that I have
I didn't imagine that I wouldn't find you
That kind of man that I wanted, that I wanted
"Tarde Lo Conocí" by Patricia Teheran y las Diosas del Vallenato is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and longing. The lyrics convey the narrator's deep emotional turmoil upon discovering a man who embodies her ideal partner, only to realize he is already committed to someone else. Despite the heartache, she expresses a fervent desire to win his affection, reflecting on the bittersweet nature of love and the hope that one day they might be together. The song captures the essence of yearning and the complexities of romantic feelings, as the narrator grapples with her respect for his current relationship while being irresistibly drawn to him. Through its heartfelt lyrics, the song resonates with anyone who has experienced the thrill and pain of love at first sight.