HIGH Lyrics in English by Rawayana, Apache
Vacilar is a fascinating word because it has two very different meanings depending on the context. It can mean "to hesitate" or "to waver," but in many Latin American countries, especially in informal settings, it also means "to have a good time," "to party," or "to chill out."
In "HIGH," Rawayana uses vacilar in the latter sense, encouraging listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves: "Vamos a vacilar" (Let's go have a good time). This dual meaning makes it an interesting word to learn, as understanding the context is key to its interpretation.
Rawayana spend four minutes arguing that standing still is the only wrong answer. The opening is a dare: "Mosca no te me distraigas" (watch out, don't get distracted), because "Que hasta tu jevita baila" (even your girl is dancing) and you are the last one holding out. The name-dropping is the fun part. Bob Marley turns up under his full legal name, "Robert Nesta Marley te lo decía así" (Robert Nesta Marley told you like this), and Dalí gets credited with the same permission slip: "Como en el arte lo hacía Dalí" (as Dalí did in art), art as proof that nothing has to make sense.
Apache's verse slows the tempo without dropping the argument. "sin prisa, con calma, sin yo, sin prejuicios" (without haste, calmly, without ego, without prejudice) is the whole thesis in one line, and "pa' ser feliz no hace falta una visa" (to be happy you don't need a visa) is a heavier thing to say than a party song usually bothers with, especially a Venezuelan one. Then it goes straight back to the weekend: find the Mama Juana, make the tizana, get everyone to the beach. The chorus never explains what "high" is supposed to mean and never needs to.
