Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Quiet Em

(2,650 posts)
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 10:39 AM Monday

In 1973 I was just a little kid and I didn't know a single word in Spanish

but that didn't stop me from joyfully singing along with Eres Tu whenever it came on the radio. I don't remember a single adult telling me, "why are you singing that, that isn't in English."

The Con and the MAGA people are weird, backwards and ridiculous.

I didn't know much about Bad Bunny and I wasn't familar with his music, but I watched his performance last night and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Oh, and there was another hit back in the late 50s before I was born that would play on the radio as an oldie. I loved singing that one too.

Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba se necesita
Una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia y otra cosita
Ay, arriba y arriba

30 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
In 1973 I was just a little kid and I didn't know a single word in Spanish (Original Post) Quiet Em Monday OP
Of course, and remember the Macarena from the 90s - TBF Monday #1
Yeah, how do you say enchilada in English? Walleye Monday #18
I used to love sing "Besame Mucho" Walleye Monday #2
Here's a lovely version. Ping Tung Monday #20
Thank you, just beautiful. Walleye Monday #24
I remember the song " Sukiyaki" Title is weird, but the song was entirely in Japanese. Hot on the chart. Walleye Monday #3
Yes. That was a great song too. Quiet Em Monday #5
Most of those complaining about foreign languages don't use English correctly Walleye Monday #17
And why is it so wrong to learn Spanish, when Ilsa Monday #4
Eres Tu was the highlight of my mother's teaching career. Baitball Blogger Monday #6
And Guantanamera, which my friends actually thought was One Ton Tomato. surfered Monday #7
Thanks for the laugh! Now I'm going to have an livetohike Monday #8
75 Cubans from around the world loved it. Performed by Playing for Change. Ping Tung Monday #16
I loved that song. It was number one for a while I think. Walleye Monday #25
I heard from somebody saying that they thought the line in "Hound Dog" Walleye Monday #27
Or Credence Clearwater's "There's a bathroom on the right." surfered Monday #30
I remember Eres Tu! Danmel Monday #9
I started first grade in 1951. I lived in a small agricultural town MineralMan Monday #10
I remember "Volare" being a big hit Coventina Monday #11
Loved it 1958 and whenever I heard it. cksmithy Monday #23
It was used in a car ad in the 1970s yardwork Monday #26
La Bamba Performed by Playing for Change Note: Try not to sing along or dance. Ping Tung Monday #12
That was great! Quiet Em Monday #13
I agree. It's my favorite version of that irresistable song. Ping Tung Monday #14
I'll guarantee you every single MAGA probably haele Monday #15
And they have no problem with Taco Tuesday or Mexican Restaurants. nt TBF Monday #22
Back in the early '90s... regnaD kciN Monday #28
I new a little Italian once - but he died! Wonder Why Monday #19
Feliz Navidad Song by Jos Feliciano ‧ 1970 Emile Monday #21
I love the Bossa Nova beat. It is beyond words/language. Zackzzzz Monday #29

TBF

(36,038 posts)
1. Of course, and remember the Macarena from the 90s -
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 10:42 AM
Monday

a lot of these fools going off about the super bowl show were lined up dancing to the Macarena song back then! And they have no problem with lunch at a Mexican restaurant. They are being ridiculous.

Walleye

(44,090 posts)
24. Thank you, just beautiful.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:41 PM
Monday

I was able to translate those words back in the day from my high school Spanish. But I realize now that I’m older, some lyrics don’t have to be translated because she expresses a universal feeling here. also a beautiful melody

Quiet Em

(2,650 posts)
5. Yes. That was a great song too.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 10:49 AM
Monday

Also, I don't remember anyone complaining about the Beatles singing in French on Michelle.

Ilsa

(64,044 posts)
4. And why is it so wrong to learn Spanish, when
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 10:46 AM
Monday

more people in the US speak it, versus French, which is taught in the northeast (especially New England states, due to proximity to Quebec) and southern Lousiana (due to Cajun French)? I never hear anyone freaking out about hearing French if it's spoken.

Baitball Blogger

(51,909 posts)
6. Eres Tu was the highlight of my mother's teaching career.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 10:55 AM
Monday

Teaching the same lessons to the children on a military base overseas she found a way to spark an interest in the English speakers by teaching them the words to Eres Tu. It was probably the happiest I ever saw her because she connected with her kids.

Maybe there is a lesson here for the Spanish singers who are keeping up with the rapper music which is sometimes too hard to understand even for us Spanish speakers.

Walleye

(44,090 posts)
25. I loved that song. It was number one for a while I think.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:47 PM
Monday

Wonderful performance, there are some amazing musicians in Cuba. Thanks for posting.

Walleye

(44,090 posts)
27. I heard from somebody saying that they thought the line in "Hound Dog"
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:58 PM
Monday

“I thought you were high class“ was actually “I sent you a tie clasp” cracks me up every time I think of it.

MineralMan

(150,898 posts)
10. I started first grade in 1951. I lived in a small agricultural town
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 11:33 AM
Monday

in California. Mine was the first class that integrated what was the "Mexican" elementary school in my town. I had no idea what that meant, but most of the kids I met spoke both Spanish and English. I started learning Spanish right away. Then, when I'd visit the homes of my new 6 year old friends, the parents and grandparents spoke no English, so I learned Spanish better so I could talk to them.

Seemed like a normal process at the time. Later, in high school, I could have taken Spanish or French. Well, already spoke Spanish pretty well, so I took French for four years. Languages are fun to learn.

Then, when I was in the USAF ('65-9), they sent me to a total immersion accelerated Russian language school for 9 months. I used that for the rest of my enlistment.

Learning languages is a bonus. It's a really good idea to give kids a chance to learn a second or third language. Easiest way is to put young kids together who speak different languages. The learning is automatic and fast. We need more people who speak multiple languages, not fewer.

Coventina

(29,477 posts)
11. I remember "Volare" being a big hit
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 11:34 AM
Monday

No one seemed to mind that it was in Italian.



ETA: OK, I see it was a big hit in 1958 - I was not born yet!

I guess it had a resurgence in the late 70s?

cksmithy

(476 posts)
23. Loved it 1958 and whenever I heard it.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:57 PM
Monday

I think I have a cd/cassette of Pavarotti singing it. There was also a song by The Singing Nun, from Belgium, singing in french. I believe she was on The Ed Sullivan Show. If you listened to the radio and sung along, you were singing french, which didn't seem to be a problem.

yardwork

(69,113 posts)
26. It was used in a car ad in the 1970s
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:57 PM
Monday

The company didn't seem to think using a "foreign language" song in their ads was a bad idea.

haele

(15,212 posts)
15. I'll guarantee you every single MAGA probably
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:23 PM
Monday

Sang La Bamba or the Macarena at some time or another at the top of their lungs - at least the chorus.
That, or Cielito Lindo in Kindergarten.

regnaD kciN

(27,548 posts)
28. Back in the early '90s...
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 03:22 PM
Monday

…we were at a Mexican restaurant for Cinco de Mayo when some future MAGAt was denied (over-)service, when he was clearly already too well-lubricated. He proceeded to go out and drive laps in their parking lot while screaming anti-Mexican slurs the whole time. I was like “Dude, if you hate Mexicans so much, why were you celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the first place?”

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»In 1973 I was just a litt...