Hay Que Tomar (En Vivo) Lyrics in English by Marca MP
Compadres literally refers to men connected through a godparent relationship, but in Mexican Spanish it is also used warmly for trusted friends or longtime buddies. In the song, the singer says he has three compadres who are “de mucho cuidado,” emphasizing a loyal crew with a tough reputation.
Marca MP’s “Hay Que Tomar (En Vivo)” presents a narrator who insists he is not a bad person, even though people talk about him. He says, “Yo no soy mala persona” [I’m not a bad person], then contrasts gossip with the loyalty of his friends: “mis amigos tienen toda mi amistad” [my friends have all my friendship]. Around those friends, he feels happy listening to Marca MP, smoking “un cigarrón de mota” [a big marijuana cigarette], and letting his mind get excited. The phrase “hay que tomar” means “we have to drink,” and here it becomes the song’s main attitude: celebrate now because life could suddenly end. It is direct, carefree, and a little reckless.
The verses mix pleasure, pride, work, and warning. He says women are one of his pleasures, while the love of his life is also his lover, a blunt line that keeps the song from sounding sentimental. He also says he works on his own, has had difficult times, and keeps three dangerous-sounding friends nearby. When he is not out in the street, he might be in his office, but a party can last three days, leaving him so caught up in it that he does not notice the day. The live setting fits the lyrics perfectly: this feels like a drinking song for singing with friends, defending your name, and staying up far too late.
