The Meanings of Lyrics in Foreign Languages
Songs that have some, or all of their lyrics in a foreign language have a fascinating element of intrigue. Even if those lyrics translate to, “Yuck, the kitchen still smells like that fish you cooked a week ago,” they sound exotic and mysterious if you’re unfamiliar with the language. And once you know their translation, most of these lyrics sound and flow much better in their original tongue. You be the judge of the following songs, their foreign lyrics, and their (sometimes very rough) translations:
“Oye Como Va” - Santana
Originally written and played by salsa musician, Tito Puente in 1963, “Oye Como Va” was covered by Santana in 1970, and helped make them stars. The song’s Spanish lyrics, “Oye como va/Mi ritmo/Bueno pa’ gozar translate to, “Hear how it goes/My rhythm/Good for to celebrate.” One of the founders of Latin rock, Santana dropped Puente’s horn section and substituted a prominent B-3 organ and guitar sound. The lyrics cross cultural boundaries and make this a classic feel-good song, whether you know Spanish or not.
“Lady Marmalade” - Labelle
Even if you never studied French, you probably know this song’s infamous lyrics, “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?” And you might even know the translation of those lyrics: “Will you sleep with me tonight?” The sexy song sashayed up to #1 on the US charts, but Labelle was prohibited from singing the song verbatim on TV in the 1970s. So the lyrics were watered down to “Voulez-vous danser avec moi, ce soir?” meaning “Do you want to dance with me tonight?” Which could be interpreted as the same thing, depending on your mindset!
“Psycho Killer” - Talking Heads
“Psycho Killer” is a definitive Talking Heads’ song, with lyrics that shift back and forth between English and French. Lead singer David Byrne wrote the lyrics as the thoughts of a serial killer while he commits murders. Apparently, this killer paid attention in French class! The signature French lyrics of the chorus, “Psycho killer/Qu’est que c’est?” mean “What is it?” And the lyrics, “Ce que j’ai fais, ce soir la/Ce qu’elle a dit, ce soir la/Realisant mon espoir/Je me lance, vers la gloire” mean “What I did, that evening/What she said, that evening/Fulfilling my hope/Headlong I go for glory.” He’s psycho, remember? It doesn’t make sense in ANY language!
“Michelle” - The Beatles
The Beatles didn’t write this song about anyone specific named Michelle, and they didn’t know French. So what’s the story behind this hit’s French lyrics? Paul McCartney would go to parties and sing a song, making up words while pretending to be French. When John Lennon suggested that McCartney turn them into a real song, The Cute One went to an acquaintance who taught French for help. She came up with the lyrics, “Michelle, ma belle,” because the name sounded good, and helped McCartney translate, “These are words that go together well” into the lyrics, “Sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble.”
Foreign lyrics can give a song a unique twist. And even if you don’t know the translation, you don’t need to, because they’re part of a universal language — music. Voila!