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Spanish Language Songs to Improve Listening Comprehension in Spanish

Subjects:

Language Arts, Music, Social Studies

Grades:

9, 10, 11, 12

Title – Spanish Language Song Lyrics
for Improving Spanish Listening Comprehension
By – J.D. Meyer
Primary Subject – Language Arts
Secondary Subjects – Social Studies, Music
Grade Level – Spanish 2 and above

Concept/Rationale:

Listening to Spanish-language music (in various genres) is a fun way to improve your listening comprehension and I can personally vouch for its effectiveness. I chose a variety of genres primarily because of the different listening ability levels required to comprehend them. On the other hand, I’m offering music that is familiar to me while trying to find music that a wide range of students may enjoy.

Learner Objectives:

The student will show improvement in Spanish listening comprehension and develop at least a respect for some of the music.

Materials:

Lyrics in the original Spanish with (teacher provided) English footnotes for words that the student is not expected to know at that level.
A complete English translation of the lyrics (see below) would be provided only after the songs were played, read, and discussed.

Additional Notes:

The following songs were chosen partly for their wholesome, G-rated content suitable for the classroom. The self-directed learner is free to choose whatever additional songs they wish to learn away from the classroom.

A quiz over lyric comprehension could follow the presentation of the songs. There could be as many as four – one after the easy first two songs, the second after the moderately difficult songs, the third after the difficult songs and the final. A suggested final is included below.

Spanish Language Songs for
Improving Spanish Listening Comprehension

	Song	Band	Genre	Level of Difficulty	URL for Lyrics (see below)
1.	“No Te Olvidaré”	Mazz	Tejano	Easy	http://artists.letssingit.com/ mazz-lyrics- no-te-olvidare-v6nj3zl
2.	“Y Todo ¿Para Qué?”	Intocable	Norteno/ Tejano	Easy	http://artists.letssingit.com/ intocable-lyrics- y-todo-para-que-2wvzp48
3.	“Hijos de America”	Angeles del Infierno	Metalero	Moderate	http://www.lyricsmode.com/ lyrics/a/angeles_del_infierno/ hijos_de_america.html
4.	“Dos Locos”	Los Horoscopos de Durango	Duranguense	Moderate	http://artists.letssingit.com/ horoscopos-de-durango-los-lyrics- dos-locos-rrwtqsr
5.	“Volviendo a Casa”	Rata Blanca	Metalero	Difficult	http://artists.letssingit.com/ rata-blanca-lyrics- volviendo-a-casa-kz7sfr7
6.	“Jambalaya”	K-Paz de la Sierra with Quinto Sol	Duranguense and Rap	Difficult	http://artists.letssingit.com/ k-paz-de-la-sierra-lyrics- jambalaya-ft-kinto-sol-nhc6zpq

Summaries of Spanish Language Songs for
Improving Spanish Listening Comprehension

“No te olvidare,” by Mazz is a slow Tejano ballad that crossed over to norteno stations. Some believe it was their most popular song. Joe Lopez mourns his lost love. A great horn segment and flute bridge fit this song well. Guitarist, Jimmy Gonzalez hits a super high note on a brief second vocal.
“Y todo para que,” by Intocable is a major Norteno/Tejano hit with an anthem feel to it. Singer/accordionist, Ricky Munoz chastises his lost-love while freely admitting the affair was worth it.
“Hijos de America” by Angeles del Infierno shows lyrics with patriotism, rich nature imagery and nostalgia for the hometown from where they immigrated. Somewhat biographical, Angeles del Infierno is the biggest metalero band in Mexico during the 80′s and 90′s – moved to North America from Spain.
“Dos locos,” by Los Horoscopos de Durango helped cement the up-and-coming duranguense movement. The band features a male and female singer. This song explores the dilemma of a couple that is still in love but date other people. Personally, this song always reminded me of the two stars of the Navy lawyer show JAG, Mac and Harm, who married in the series finale.
“Volviendo a casa,” by Rata Blanca shows the Argentinean heavy metal band (Metalero) at their romantic best. They remind me of an Iron Maiden/Deep Purple mix. These lyrics passed the all-important Mom test; they reminded her of Dad.
“Jambalaya,” by K-Paz de la Sierra and Kinto Sol has the distinction of being written by Country-and-Western star Hank Williams. Then duranguense band, K-Paz, translated the song into Spanish and did a second version with rappers, Kinto Sol. Basically, Sergio Gomez and the Kinto Sol singer declare a bunch of friends are going to the beach and forget the ex-girl friend.

Song Lyrics and Translations

Note: Liberties were taken with some of the English translations to better reflect the style of song lyrics.

1) No te olvidare

No no te olvidare
aunque pasen nuchos años
no me olvidare
porque fuiste en mi vida
la mujer que tanto ame
la que pense amara siempre
hasta el morir

No no me olvidare
aunque tu ya no me quieras
no te olvidare
diste luz a mi vida
y me hiciste comprender
fuiste todo todo 
todo mi querer

Yo te extraño tanto
que ya no se que hacer
siempre siempre 
estoy pensando en ti

El triste recuerdo
que ella me dejo
lo llevo muy dentro
dentro de mi

No no te olvidare
Yo no se que le debo a la vida
porque me paga asi
si yo siempre siempre siempre
pienso en ti

Siempre siempre 
pienso en ti
siempre estoy pensando en ti
no te olvidare siempre

2) Y todo ¿para qué? ¿Qué más quieres de mí? Si ya todo te di Te di mi cariño, Te di mi confianza, Te di mi calor ¿Qué más quieres de mí? Mi vida te la di Por tan solo un minuto Por tan solo un poquito De tu gran pasión Y todo ¿para qué? Y todo ¿para qué? ¿Para qué tanto amor? ¿Para qué ilusionaste? ¿Para qué enamoraste mi corazón? Y todo ¿para qué? Y todo ¿para qué? Si al final yo perdí Pero no me arrepiento Si en cada momento Me hiciste feliz ¿Qué más quieres de mí? ¿A dónde quieres llegar? ¿Qué no te has dado cuenta que por no mirarte me puedes matar? ¿Qué más quieres de mí? Dímelo por favor Ya no encuentro palabras No encuentro la forma De darte mi amor Y todo ¿para qué? Y todo ¿para qué? ¿Para qué tanto amor? ¿Para qué ilusionaste? ¿Para qué enamoraste mi corazón? Y todo ¿para qué? Y todo ¿para qué? Si al final yo perdí Pero no me arrepiento Si en cada momento Me hiciste feliz Y todo ¿para qué?

3)Angeles Del Infierno Estaba mirando los restos del ayer Estaba llorando por lo que fue y no es Su tierra arrasada su origen también Sus antepasados claman delante de el Y cantan ooeea al recuerdo del ayer Y bailan ooeea al gran pueblo que siempre fue La brisa en el rostro la tarde al caer El espíritu del guerrero le recuerda lo que es El águila vuela tras el ritual Y danza en el cielo cuando el sol se va Y la luna dibuja en la pradera un gran corazón Y en esos hijos de América la esperanza volvió

4) Dos Locos El tiempo no ha logrado que te olvide No ha borrado las huellas de tu amor. Todavia siento el sabor de tus besos en mi boca, todavia siento tus manos acariciandome la piel. Y yo no quiero seguir asi, estando con ella y pensando en ti. A mi me esta pasando igual no dejo de pensar en ti, el dia que me levanto contigo en la cabeza lo llamo por tu nombre. Que tontos que locos somos tu y yo estando con otros y amandonos que tontos que locos somos tu y yo estando con otros y aun amandonos. Todavia no me acostumbro de el cafe hecho por sus manos, me sabe mal no es como el tuyo. Y yo cuando siento sus caricias, cierro los ojos y pienso en ti.

5) Volviendo a Casa Hoy voy regresando hacia mi hogar la noche esta llegando y el ruido del tren me adormecio hoy igual que un perro trabaje para llevar a casa algo de dinero y el dolor de la dura ciudad en ti me dare un poco paz es todo tan veloz ven por favor (coro) Angel ella es un angel tiene la llave que devuelve la ilucion dame, dame un instante te necesita mi cansado corazon el fuego no se apago Soy quien desespera por llegar y recorrer el barrio y encontrar caminos que extravie tu sabes que es duro progresar y aunque nunca cambie no me importa por que con tu amor fortuna me das senti siempre que el fuego estara que tu lo encenderas es lo mejor (coro) Fortuna me das de ti me dare un poco de paz es todo tan veloz ven por favor todo lo que me das es lo mejor (coro) VOLVIENDO A CASA ESTOY!!! YENDO ESTOY YENDO A CASA ESTOY!! VOLVIENDO A CASA ESTOY!!!

6) Jambalaya Que paso compa Skribe Que dice Chivo, Aqui nomas con los compas del grupo Kpaz Haciendo una nueva rola, para todas las morras y morros Orale, vamonos Compa yo ya me voy a la playa Mi corazón es de ti Jambalaya Quiero estar muy feliz a tu lado Voy a gozar como nunca yo había soñado Oh Jambala para no llorar yo te olvido Ahora quiero compartir con mis amigos Con el Grupo K-paz yo les canto Son of a gun el amor que me a traicionado Vamonos resio.. Olvida las penas ese llamado Como K-paz ninguno ha llegado Kinto Sol una vez mas dandole gas Hago bailar a toda mi gente Con esta rola que es duranguense A todo lo ajeno le pongo freno Pues en la radio soy el que sueno Vamos ya a olvidar nuestras penas Construiremos un castillo de arena Con las olas del mar arrullando Hay les voy.. Abrete un lado haste pa’tras Quien te da mas el Grupo K-paz Voy hacer todo de cualquier modo Con fuego.. en Chicago me quedo La vida es un duelo de esta atraccion Busco consuelo y ya fue pasado Ya esta olvidado con otra paloma aqui de mi lado El sol quema tu cuerpo y el mió Nos iremos de pesca en el rió Regresar cuando el sol se a ocultadoY hay nos vemos raza Porque ya estoy hasta tras, con el grupo K-paz Orale Skribe no te trompieses Hahaha

1) I will not forget you

No, I will not forget you,
although many years pass by. 
You will not forget me, 
because you were in my life, 
the woman I loved so much, 
who I thought I would love 
forever, until the end.

No, you will not forget me, 
although you no longer want me.
I will not forget you. 
You gave light to my life 
and you made me understand 
you were all, all, 
everything, my love. 

I miss you so much that 
I don't know what to do anymore,
always, always 
I am thinking about you. 

The sad memory 
that she left me, 
I feel it deep inside, 
inside of me.

No, no I will not forget you. 
I don't know what I owe this life,
because it pays me like this.
Yes, always, always, always,
I think about you. 

Always, always, 
I think about you. 
Always, I am thinking about you.
I will not forget you, forever.

2) And All for What? What more do you want of me? After all I already gave you I gave to you my affection, Gave to you my confidence, Gave to you my heat. What more do you want of me? My life, I gave it to you In only a minute For only a bit Of your great passion. And all for what? And all for what? Why so much love? Why did you deceive? Why did you enamor my heart? And all for what? And all for what? Yes, in the end I lost. But I do not regret Yes, in every moment You made me happy. What more do you want of me? To where do you want to come? What you have not realized that for not looking you can kill me? What more do you want of me? Say it to me please Already I do not find words Do not find the way Of giving you my love. And all for what? And all for what? Why so much love? Why did you deceive? Why did you enamor my heart? And all for what? And all for what? Yes, in the end I lost. But I do not regret Yes, in every moment You made me happy And all for what?

3) Hijos de America I was looking at the rest of yesterday. I was crying for what it was and isn’t. Your mountainous land, your beginning too. Your ancestors beg in front of you. Chorus: And they sing, “Ooeea,” to the memories of yesterday. And they dance, “Ooeea,” to the great town that always was. The sea breeze on the face when the afternoon falls, the spirit of the warrior reminds him what it is. The eagle flies behind the ritual and dances in the sky while the sun goes by. Repeat Chorus. And the moon draws in the prairie a great heart. And in these children of America, the hope returned (twice).

4) Dos Locos Time has not succeeded in me forgetting you It hasn’t erased the footprints of your love. I can still feel the taste of your kisses on my mouth. I still feel your hands caressing my skin. Bridge And I don’t want to continue this way, being with her and thinking of you. The same thing is happening to me. I can’t stop thinking about you. The day that I wake up with you in my mind, I call it by your name. Chorus How stupid, how crazy we are, you and I. Being with others and loving each other. What fools, what crazies we are, you and I. Being with others, but still loving each other. Repeat bridge. I still can’t get used to the coffee made by her (other women) hands. I know too well that it’s not yours. And I, when I feel his hands, I close my eyes and think it’s you.

5) Returning Home Today I am returning toward my place. The night is arriving and the noise of the train wakes me. Today I’m like a working dog In order to bring home Something of money and the pain of the hard city. Bridge: In you, I find a little peace. It’s all so fast. Come (here) please. Chorus: Angel, she is an angel. She has the key that brings the dream. Give me, give me an instant. I need you for my tired soul. The fire has not gone out. I am the one who despairs to arrive and return to the neighborhood and find the roads that lead astray. You know that it’s tough to progress and although nothing changes, It is not important to me because of your love. Bridge: You give me fortune. I feel always that the fire that you light, It’s the best. Repeat chorus. Bridge: You give me fortune. In you I find a little peace. It’s all so fast. Come (here) please. All that you give me- it’s the best. Repeat chorus. RETURNING HOME, I AM!!! GOING I AM GOING HOME I AM!! RETURNING HOME, I AM!!!

6) Jambalaya (Repeat the underlined parts.) What’s up, buddy Skribe. What you say, Chivo. Here no more. We’re with the buddies, Grupo K-Paz Doing a new role for all the pouting men and women. Move it; we go. Bud, I am going to the beach. My heart is of you, Jambalaya. I want to be very happy at your side. Chorus: I’m going to enjoy like nothing I have dreamed. Oh Jambalaya, in order not to cry, I forget you. No, I want to share with my friends (with my buds) With the group, K-Paz, I sing to them. Son of a gun, the love traitor to me. Let’s go, strong. Forget the penalties that called Like K-Paz nobody has arrived. Kinto Sol, one more giving it gas. I made dance with all the people. With this role that is duranguense. To all that is others, I put on the brakes. Like in the radio, I am a dream. We go already to forget our penalties. We will build a sand castle With the wings of the sea whispering. Repeat chorus. There I go with them. Move back. I give you more of Grupo K-Paz. I am going to all whatever way With fire in Chicago, I stay. The life is a duel with this attraction. I seek consolation and it’s already passed. Already it’s forgotten with another “dove” (lady) here at my side. The sun burns your body and mine. We will go fishing in the river. Return when the sun is behind clouds. Repeat Chorus, And there we go, Raza. Because I already go there with Grupo K-Paz. Get up, Skribe; don’t trip. Hahaha

Final Exam with Answers

What verse forms the bridge between the stanza and the chorus in “No te olvidare”?
“Yo te extrano tanto que ya no se que hacer.
Siempre siempre estoy pensando en ti.
El triste recuerdo que ella me dejo
lo llevo muy dentro dentro de mi.”
In “No te olvidare,” what describes the singer’s feelings regarding the loss of his girlfriend?

Mad and bitter: Go away!
Sad-wishes she would return. X
Sad but glad she’s gone.
Mad, but wishes she would return.

In “Y todo para que,” what line in the chorus shows that the singer feels
the ended affair was still worth it?
Pero no me arrepiento si en cada momento me hiciste feliz.
In “Y todo para que,” what describes the singer’s feelings regarding the loss of his girlfriend?

Mad and bitter: Go away!
Sad-wishes she would return.
Sad but glad she’s gone.
Mad but wishes she would return. X

In “Volviendo a casa,” how does the singer describe his lady friend?

A mediocre lady that creates deception.
An angel that has the key to his dreams. X
Confusing but great-looking.
Funny — a quick sense of humor.

How does the singer regard his neighborhood in “Volviendo a casa”?

It’s difficult to earn enough money and distracting. X
It’s beautiful and he has a great job.
It’s dangerous and full of thieves.
He doesn’t care whether his neighborhood is good or bad since he’s so in love.

What does the moon draw in the prairie and what does it symbolize in “Hijos de America”?

The moon draws a great heart in the prairie, and the hope returned to the children of America.

Mention two other natural features that are described in “Hijos de America”?

Mountainous land and the sea breeze.

In “Jambalaya,” what describes the singer’s feelings regarding the loss of his girlfriend?

Mad and bitter: Go away!
Sad-wishes she would return.
Sad but glad she’s gone. X
Mad but wishes she would return.

Where is this location for “Jambalaya,” by K-Paz de la Sierra and Kinto Sol?
1. Durango.
2. Somewhere in the western US.
3. Chicago. X
4. Unknown.
In “Dos locos,” what food or drink does the man miss that his ex-girl friend used to make for him?

Coffee. X
Breakfast tacos.
Barbacoa.
Steak and potatoes.

Find the two gerunds with objective pronouns attached to them in “Dos locos.”

Acaraciandome and amandonos.

E-Mail JD Meyer!