El Año Viejo Lyrics in English by Tony Camargo

Suegra means "mother-in-law". While a common family term, it's a unique and funny word to find in the lyrics of a classic party song.

In "El Año Viejo," the singer fondly recalls all the good things the past year left him: a goat, a donkey, a horse, and—most humorously—a good mother-in-law! The line "una buena suegra" (a good mother-in-law) is a charming and unexpected twist, making it one of the most memorable parts of this beloved New Year's Eve anthem.

This song is a total party classic for New Year's Eve, and it's all about gratitude. Instead of being sad that a year is over, Mexican singer Tony Camargo is celebrating everything it gave him. He repeats over and over, "Yo no olvido al año viejo / Porque me ha dejado cosas muy buenas" [I don't forget the old year / Because it has left me very good things]. It's a really positive and fun way to look back.

So what amazing gifts did the old year leave behind? Well, it's a very specific and funny list: "Me dejó una chiva, una burra negra / Una yegua blanca y una buena suegra" [It left me a goat, a black donkey / a white mare and a good mother-in-law]. Yes, you read that right! Alongside a few farm animals, getting a good mother-in-law is counted as one of the year's biggest blessings. The rest of the song is basically just calls to dance and have a good time, making it the perfect track for a happy celebration.