A blog for students of English (especially Spanish speakers) to learn English through popular music.
If you are looking for an English teacher and you live in Valecia, Spain or would like to do an online class contact me.
I was sad to read that Daniel Johnston is no longer with us. Here are two of my favorite songs by the late, great, crazy artist.
Life In Vain is from Johnston´s studio album fun. It makes me think about my life and what the hell I´m doing with it.
Daniel sang his wonderful song Speeding Motorcycle with the band that covered it, Yo La Tengo, live on the radio. This is my favorite version of the song because it is simple and also shows Daniel´s great what-the-hell, what-you-see-is-what-you-get attitude which so many people loved so much.
Here is a small sampling of Daniel´s art. There are tons of works to check out online as well as an excellent documentary about him, The Devil And Daniel Johnston.
With the passing (a polite way of saying "dying") of Pau Donés, the great Spanish singer, songwriter and guitarist of Jarabe de Palo, I felt very sad that we had lost another talented personality from the world of music. In honor of one of my favorite Spanish songwriters I have translated the song Depende into English.
Almost all of it is a literal translation of the original with just a few lines that had to be changed to fit (cuadrar/encajar/concordar)). I recorded two versions. The first one is my own interpretation of the song. The second one is the same arrangement as the original song. Enjoy and let me know which version you like better. As always if you have any questions or comments, or requests for future songs, please post them here and I will answer you ASAP (as soon as possible = cuanto antes).
IT DEPENDS
by The Alan Popa Project (SHT VERSION)
IT DEPENDS
by SHT MUSIK (ORIGINAL VERSION)
HOW TO USE DEPENDCORRECTLY
Using the word depend in English is not very complicated but there are a few things to remember. Firstly, for Spanish speakers it is important to use "depends ON" and NOT "of" I think my song in English is good because it repeats again and again "it depends ON". However, I titled the song "It Depends" because this is the expression you use to answer someone without mentioning what it depends on. For example:
Bob: "Do you want to go fishing tomorrow?" Al: "It depends. I have to ask my wife."
One other use of depend is like the Spanish expression contar con alguien. In fact (de hecho), in English you can say this three ways.
You can count on /rely on /dependon me. Puedes contar conmigo.
And a dependable/reliable person is alguien de fiar.
It Depends by SHT Musik (based on the song Depende by Jarabe de Palo)
White is always white (and) Que el blanco sea blanco Black is always black (and) Que el negro sea negro One and one make two Que uno y uno sean dos Cuz* numbers are exact Como exactos son los números *because written phonetically It depends on Depende We live on borrowed time Que estamos aquí de prestados The sky is overcast Que el cielo está nublado We are born to die Que uno nace y luego muere Cuz good things never last Y este cuento se ha acabado (Lo bueno no dura mucho tiempo) It depends on Depende What does it depend on? ¿De qué depende? On how you look at things De según como se mire It all depends on Todo depende It depends on Depende What does it depend on ¿De qué depende? On how you look at things De según como se mire It all depends on Todo depende How beautiful is love Que bonito es el amor Especially in the Spring Más que nunca en Primavera Tomorrow there´ll be sun Mañana sale el sol In August we will sing Y que estamos en Agosto (En Agosto cantaremos) It depends on Depende With the passing of our time Que con el paso del tiempo The making of fine wine El vino se hace bueno The rise and then the fall Que todo lo que sube, baja The circling round of it all De abajo arriba y de arriba abajo (El ciclo de todas las cosas) It depends on Depende What does it depend on? ¿De qué depende? On how you look at things De según como se mire It all depends on Todo depende It depends on Depende What does it depend on ¿De qué depende? On how you look at things De según como se mire It all depends on Todo depende I bet you know no one Que no has conocido a nadie (apuesto que) Who kisses like I do Que te bese como yo Nobody in your life Que no hay otro hombre en tu vida Who gets the best from you Que de ti se beneficie (Quien saque lo mejor de ti) It depends on Depende If your mouth wants to say, "yes" Y si quiere decir sí Every time that we are talking Cada vez que abres la boca It makes you very happy Que te hace muy feliz Down the aisle you are walking Que sea el día de tu boda (Caminas por el pasillo = te casas) It depends on Depende What does it depend on? ¿De qué depende? On how you look at things De según como se mire It all depends on Todo depende It depends on Depende What does it depend on ¿De qué depende? On how you look at things De según como se mire It all depends on Todo depende HARMONICA SOLO It depends on Depende What does it depend on? ¿De qué depende? On how you look at things De según como se mire It all depends on Todo depende It depends on Depende What does it depend on ¿De qué depende? On how you look at things De según como se mire It all depends on Todo depende
Well here is a song that I am hearing EVERYWHERE, Bad Guy by Billy Eillish (BTW, "Eillish" rhymes with "stylish") Besides being very catchy (pegadiza) this song has a lot of good expressions and vocabulary for people studying English. Here are the lyrics with a simple translation into Spanish. The song is a bit tricky (complicated) to translate because she starts talking about how the boy is a tough guy (tipo duro) but then switches (changes) to talking about how she, the narrator, is really bad. "Bad guy" is the most common way to say the "villian" in a story and it really sounds like the narrator is saying that she is romantically involved with a guy who already has a girlfriend. This makes her the "other woman". She has to be secretive, "creeping around" means moving quietly and trying not to be noticed. The guy she is with is cheating on (engañando) his girlfriend.
White shirt now red, my bloody nose Camisa blanca ahora roja, mi nariz ensangrentada Sleepin', you're on your tippy toes Durmiendo, estás en puntillas Creepin' around like no one knows Arrastrándose como si nadie lo supiera Think you're so criminal Piensas que eres tan criminal Bruises on both my knees for you Contusiones en ambas rodillas por ti Don't say thank you or please No digas gracias o por favor I do what I want when I'm wanting to Hago lo que quiero cuando quiero
My soul? So cynical ¿Mi alma? Tan cínico
So you're a tough guy Entonces eres un tipo duro Like it really rough guy Un chico "me gusta lo duro" Just can't get enough guy Un chico "nunca tengo bastante" Chest always so puffed guy Un chico siempre con el pecho hinchado I'm that bad type Soy ese tipo malo Make your mama sad type El tipo que hace que tu mamá sea triste Make your girlfriend mad type El tipo que hace que tu novia se enfade Might seduce your dad type El tipo que podría seducir a tu papá I'm the bad guy Soy la mala de la película Duh Por supuesto que sí
I'm the bad guy Soy la mala de la película
Gold teeth, my neck, my wrist is frost (So icy) Dientes de oro, mi cuello, mi muñeca está helada (tan helada) I got more ice than, than the snow Tengo más hielo que, que la nieve That guy, don't act like you don't know Ese tipo, no actúes como si no supieras That guy so critical (Skrrt) Ese tipo tan crítico Tattoos on both my sleeves Tatuajes en las dos mangas Yeah I don't sleep, please don't wake me Sí, no duermo, por favor no me despiertes Loosen my tie up so I can breathe Suelto mi corbata para que pueda respirar It ain't political, oh no (Uh-uh) No es nada político, no no
Yeah, I'm a bad guy Sí, soy la mala Ain't no holding back guy El tipo que no se corta Come off like a mad guy El tipo que parece un loco Always got your back guy El tipo que siempre te apoya Yeah, I'm the real type Soy el tipo de verdad Keep you for the thrills type El tipo que está contigo para las aventuras Show you what it feels like Te enseño como se siente Got an open invite Tengo una invitación siempre I'm the bad guy, woah-ooh Soy la mala (Duh) Por supuesto
I'm the bad guy Soy la mala
Duh Claro que sí
I'm only good at bein' bad, bad Lo único que hago bien es ser mala
Ahh
Ah I like when you get mad Me gusta cuando te enfadas I guess I'm pretty glad that you're alone (So icy) Supongo que estoy contenta porque estas solo (tan helado) You said she's scared of me? ¿Dices que ella tiene miedo de mi? I mean, I don't see what she sees Quiero decir, no veo lo que ve ella But maybe it's 'cause I'm wearing your cologne (Let's go) A lo mejor es porque llevo tu colonia
I'm a bad guy, ah (Damn right) Soy la mala ¡Qué sí!
I-I'm a bad guy (Bad guy, aw, yeah, bad guy) Soy la mala I'm a bad, ah Soy la mala This song is from the album, "WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?". So what do you think of it? Is there anything else (more) that you don´t understand? Do you have any suggestions for a better translation? Post any comments or questions and I´ll try to answer you asap (as soon as possible).
This song came out in 2008 and became an instant classic. It tells the story of a woman who has recently broken up (cortado) with her boyfriend. She sees her ex at a club and he seems to regret (tener remordimientos) having broken up with her but she says, "too bad" (Qué lástima but ironically) it´s too late (demasiado tarde).
This is a seriously catchy (pegadiza) song. There is some colloquial English ("up in the club", "decided to dip and now you wanna trip", etc.) but in general the song is pretty simple.
Single Ladies by Beyoncé Knowles
All the single ladies,( all the single ladies)
¡Todas las chicas solteras! All the single ladies, (all the single ladies)
¡Todas las chicas solteras!
All the single ladies, (all the single ladies) ¡Todas las chicas solteras!
All the single ladies Now put your hands up
¡Todas las chicas solteras!¡Ahora levantad los brazos!
Up in the club (club), we just broke up (up), I'm doing my own little thing.
Estoy en el club, acabamos de cortar, estoy haciendo mis cositas. Decided to dip (dip) and now you wanna* trip (trip)
Decidiste dejarme y ahora quieres ir conmigo 'Cause another brother noticed me
Porque otro chico se ha fijado en mi.
I'm up on him, he up on me
Estoy cerca de él, está cerca de mi Don't pay him any attention
Ignoro a mi ex Just cried my tears, for three good years
Acabo de pasar tres años largos llorando You can't get mad at me
No puedes enfadarte conmigo
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo (puesto un anillo?) If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
No te enfades una vez que ves que otro me quiere 'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh x2
'Cause** if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo (puesto un anillo?) If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
No te enfades una vez que ves que otro me quiere 'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Tengo brillo en los labios, un hombre en mis caderas Hold me tighter than my Dereon jeans
Me coge más fuerte que mis vaqueros de Dereon Acting up, drink in my cup
Jugando, una copa en mi vaso I can care less what you think
No me importa nada lo que piensas tú
I need no permission, did I mention
No necesito ningún permiso ¿te lo mencioné? Don't pay him any attention
No le hago caso 'Cause you had your turn, and now you gonna learn
Ya has tenido tu oportunidad, y ahora tienes que aprender What it really feels like to miss me
Como se siente echarme de menos de verdad
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo (puesto un anillo?) If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
No te enfades una vez que ves que otro me quiere 'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Don't treat me to these things of the world
No me regalas estas cosas del mundo I'm not that kind of girl
No soy de esta clase de chica Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Tu amor es lo que prefiero tener, lo que merezco Is a man that makes me then takes me
Es un hombre que me hace, que me coge And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
Y me lleva a mi destino, hasta el infinito y más allá Pull me into your arms
Coge me entre tus brazos Say I'm the one you want
Dime que eres él que quiero If you don't, you'll be alone
Si no lo haces, estarás solo And like a ghost I'll be gone
Y yo, como una fantasma, desapareceré
All the single ladies,( all the single ladies)
¡Todas las chicas solteras! All the single ladies, (all the single ladies)
¡Todas las chicas solteras!
All the single ladies, (all the single ladies) ¡Todas las chicas solteras!
All the single ladies Now put your hands up
¡Todas las chicas solteras!¡Ahora levantad los brazos!
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo (puesto un anillo?) If you liked it, then you shoulda*** put a ring on it
Si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
No te enfades una vez que ves que otro me quiere 'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
Oh, oh, oh.
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo (puesto un anillo?) If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
No te enfades una vez que ves que otro me quiere 'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Porque si yo te gustaba deberías haberme dado un anillo
oh oh oh
Colloquial English/connected speech - these words are not usually written this way except for in dialogues, song lyrics, etc. In formal English the complete form would always be used.
Actual lyric: "Excuse me, while I kiss the sky." (Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix)
This post is going to be a little different. I want English learners to know that there are always going to be words of songs that they don´t understand. Even native speakers misunderstand song lyrics, a lot. There is even a special name for misheard lyrics, mondegreens and websites and videos specifically about this phenomena. So it is important for people who are studying English to remember that the words to many songs are difficult, and sometimes almost impossible, to understand. Don´t get frustrated.
Real lyric: "No one wants to be defeated" . (Beat It by Michael Jackson)
The title of this post, excuse me while I kiss this guy, is one of the most famous misheard lyrics (letras malentendidas) from a song and also the name of a website that is dedicated to collecting all these funny and crazy things that people think they hear. There is actually a story behind this line and it turns out that (resulta que) Hendrix actually sang "excuse me while I kiss this guy" several times during concerts. For the whole story (la historia completa) click here.http://kissthisguy.com/jimi.php
Actual lyric: "It doesn´t matter if we make it or not". (Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi)
There are also many singers who are famous for being difficult to understand, including Michael Stipe (R.E.M), Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. You can check out the complete list: The Best Singers Who Kind Of Mumble (mumble = mascullar)
The Kingsmen's hit song Louie, Louie was the subject of an FBI investigation about the supposed (supuestos) but nonexistent obscenity of the lyrics, an investigation that ended without prosecution. The FBI said that it was impossible to understand the lyrics. Ironically, the song notably includes the drummer yelling "Fuck!" after dropping his drumstick (baqeta) at the 0:54 mark.
Actual lyric: "That´s me in the corner, that´s me in the spotlight (foco)" (Losing My Religion by R.E.M.)
But sometimes hearing the lyrics to a song incorrectly can be a good thing. The Ketchup Song" is the English title of the song "Aserejé recorded by the Spanish pop group Las Ketchup, which was an international hit in 2002. The chorus is based on the 1979 rap hit "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang
I said a hip, hop, the hippie to the hippie
Aserejé ja de je de jebe
the hip-hip-hop, a you don't stop
tu de jebere sebiunouva (seibiunouva)
the rock it to the bang bang boogie say up jumped the boogie
majabi (majavi) an de bugui
to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat
an de buididipí" (Wikipedia)
The lyrics in Spanish don´t make sense (tener sentido) but, in spite of this (a pesar de eso) it was still a big hit (gran éxito).
And here are some more images people have made to make fun of (burlarse de) the crazy things people think they hear.
Actual lyric: "Hold me closer tiny dancer." (Tiny Dancer by Elton John) [tiny= very, very small]
Actual lyric:"There´s an old man sitting next to me making love to his tonic and gin." (Piano Man-Billy Joel)
Actual lyric: "Shake it like a Polaroid picture." (Hey Ya by Outkast)
. Real lyric: "Sweet dreams are made of this." (Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics)
It´s a little bit funny = "funny" is very commonly used to mean strange, out of the ordinary, suspicious, etc.
boy = used for emphasis: "Oh boy" "¡Ay tio!"
I'd buy a big house where we both could live = Notice (presta atención a) the conditional: "I´d buy" = "I would buy" = "Compraría", "could live" = podriamos vivir"
If I was a sculptor = It should be "If I were a sculptor", when saying "fuera" in English it should always be "were", "if I were you" = " si yo fuera él", "if he were rich" = "si él fuera rico". However (sin embargo), you will hear natives speakers saying "was" instead of "were" all the time(todo el tiempo)
but then again = literally "pero entonces otra vez" but what it really means is "pero pensándolo bien"
traveling - "traveling" is the common US spelling and "travelling" is the common British spelling
I hope you don't mind = "I hope this doesn´t bother you" = "espero que esto no te moleste" "To mind" is commonly translated as "importar" which is correct but can easily be confused with "I don´t care." which is "No me importa" meaning "I do not have a preference." or "It is all the same to me." = "Me da igual."
got me quite cross = "cruzado" meaning "angry". However (sin embargo), it is not very commonly used today. Remember also that Americans commonly use "mad" to mean "angry" while (mientras) "mad" usually means "crazy" in British English.
Anyway the thing is what I really mean = Here is a great example of colloquial English. "Anyway" = "de todas formas", "the thing is" = "es que" (Spanish speakers love this expression so I suggest you learn it in English), "what I really mean" = "lo que realmente quiero decir" (this one is REALLY common in English and so (así que) I suggest you learn it too):
Your Song by Elton John
It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside Es un poco raro, lo que siento por dentro
I'm not one of those who can easily hide Yo no soy uno de esos que pueden ocultar fácilmente
I don't have much money but boy if I did No tengo mucho dinero pero hombre si lo tuviera
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
Compraría una casa grande donde los dos pudiéramos vivir
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no Si yo fuera un escultor, pero pensandolo bien, no
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show O un hombre que hace pócimas en un espectáculo itinerante
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do Sé que no es mucho pero es lo mejor que puedo hacer
My gift is my song and this one's for you
Mi regalo es mi canción y esta es para ti
And you can tell everybody this is your song Y puedes decirle a todos que ésta es su canción
It may be quite simple but now that it's done Puede ser bastante simple pero ahora que ya está hecha
I hope you don't mind Espero que no te importe
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words Espero que no te importe que ponga en palabras
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
Qúe marvilosa es la vida mientras tú estés en el mundo
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss Me sentí en el tejado y quité el musgo con el pie
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross Bueno algunos de los versos, me dejaron bastante cruzado
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song Pero el sol ha sido bastante amable mientras escribía esta canción
It's for people like you that keep it turned on
Es para gente como tú que lo mantiene encendido
So excuse me forgetting but these things I do Así que discúlpame el olvido pero estas cosas que hago You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue Ves que he olvidado si son verdes o son azules Anyway the thing is what I really mean De todas formas, es que, lo que realmente quiero decir Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen Tus ojos son los más dulces que he visto nunca
