It has been the talk of the las 48 hours. Yesterday it was all over: social networks, TV, newspapers… even if you went for a walk there was a big chance that this subject was being discuss near by. At least that was my experience from sunny Spain.
Is it that big of a deal? I don’t think so but the positive thing is you can take this heated debate to the classroom in order to learn and practice some Spanish. The lyrics offer some nice expressions such as: “dárselas de + adjective” or interesting vocabulary like gato which it could be one of the first words kids learn in this language although in this particular genre of music has a completely different meaning (boy or boyfriend) that teenage students may appreciate.
Moreover, it is constantly using the colloquial variant for para: pa’, there are many puns and also a variety of tenses that can be useful for different levels. From the basic present to negative constructions with ni etc. As a teacher, you will see what grammar is more suitable for your students. The point is that there is plenty to choose from and for that reason, I did not focus on preparing a specific resource but decided instead to share the lyrics for those who want to compose their own activities.
Lyrics:
Perdón, ya cogí otro avión
Aquí no vuelvo
No quiero otra decepción.
Tanto que te las dabas de campeón
Y cuando te necesitaba,
Diste tu peor versión
Sorry, baby, hace rato
Que yo debí votar ese gato.
Una loba como yo,
No está pa’ novatos.
Una loba como yo
No está pa’ tipos como tú
Pa’ tipos como tú.
A ti te quedé grande,
Y por eso estás
Con una igualita que tú.
Esto es pa’ que te mortifiques
Mastique y tragues,
tragues y mastiques
Yo contigo ya no regreso
Ni que me llores ni me supliques
Yo entendí que no es culpa mía
que te critiquen
Yo solo hago música
Perdón que te sal-pique.
Me dejaste de vecina a la suegra
Con la prensa en la puerta
y la deuda en Hacienda
Te creíste que me heriste y
me volviste más dura
Las mujeres ya no lloran
Las mujeres facturan.
Tiene nombre de persona buena
Clara-mente no es como suena
Tiene nombre de persona buena
Clara-mente es igualita que tú
Pa’ tipos como tú.
A ti te quedé grande,
Y por eso estás
Con una igualita que tú.
Del amor al odio hay un paso,
Por acá no vuelvas, hazme caso
Cero rencor bebé.
Yo te deseo que: te vaya bien con mi
supuesto reemplazo
No sé ni qué es lo que te pasó
Estás tan raro que ni te distingo.
Yo valgo por dos de 22
Cambiaste un Ferrari por un Twingo
Cambiaste un Rolex por un Casio.
Vas acelerado, dale despacio
Mucho gimnasio, pero
trabaja el cerebro
un poquito también
Fotos por donde me ven,
Aquí me siento un rehén.
Por mi todo bien,
Yo te desocupo mañana
Y si quieres tráetela a ella
que venga también.
Tiene nombre de persona buena
Clara-mente no es como suena
Tiene nombre de persona buena
Y una loba como yo no está
pa’ tipos como tú.
Pa’ tipos como tú.
A ti te quedé grande,
Y por eso estás
Con una igualita que tú.
A ti te quedé grande,
Y por eso estás
Con una igualita que tú.
On the other hand, this video could be also used not only to work on language but also on subjects like relationships. From the top of my head I can think of the AS Spanish exam (AQA) includes the topics of:
- Los cambios en la familia
- Actitudes hacia el matrimonio/el divorcio
- Equal rights (La igualdad de los sexos)
- El machismo y el feminismo
This sentence for example could be great for a debate:
Las mujeres ya no lloran Las mujeres facturan.
Shakira
You can talk about how other artists wrote breaking-up songs; If they know other artists that did the same thing; If it was men mostly going for this genre or it has been a common thing for all artists; If women are nowadays more aware of the mental but also the economical benefit they can get with these songs; If it is always a bad idea to diss someone or you can do it elegantly somehow…
Lastly, I would like to recommend a great illustration created by the talented people from Pictoline:
3 ways to get over your ex that seem pretty sensible and from a reliable source that can be beneficial for the students as a closing activity for the lesson.
I’ve been seeing Shakira used as a celeb in Spanish language materials since I started as a teacher. At least, I think she is the gift that keeps on giving to our lessons. Wishing her and her familly all the best!
MFL & BEYOND 