“La Tijera” is Carlos Vives at his most playful and folkloric. Picture a lively night in Villanueva, a town famous for vallenato parties, where our singer dreams of dancing with a fiery morena. He begs her not to get “rabiosa” (too mad) and to keep their outing a secret from her strict grandmother. Why? Because if Grandma finds out that her granddaughter is a parrandera (hard-core party lover), the feared tijera – a metaphorical pair of scissors that “cuts” bad behavior – will come out to punish or gossip about her.
Behind the catchy accordion riffs and joyful shouts, Vives paints a humorous tug-of-war between youthful desire and traditional expectations. The narrator is smitten, his sadness gone, yet he knows their fun has limits set by family and society. In short, the song celebrates vallenato partying, flirty romance, and the comic threat of grandma’s scissors that keeps everyone on their toes.
Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo, born on August 7, 1961, in Santa Marta, Colombia, is one of the most influential and best-selling Latin music artists worldwide. Known for his unique blend of traditional Colombian rhythms like vallenato, cumbia, and champeta with modern sounds such as rock, reggaeton, and Latin pop, Vives has helped bring Colombian music to a global audience.
With over 20 million records sold, Carlos Vives has earned two Grammy Awards and seventeen Latin Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year in 2024. Besides his successful music career, he has also made a mark as an actor, starring in beloved telenovelas like "Gallito Ramírez" and "Escalona." Collaborating with top Latin artists such as Shakira, Juanes, and Ricky Martin, Vives continues to celebrate and innovate Colombia's rich musical heritage.