La Bamba lyrics by Ritchie Valens, 31 meanings. La Bamba explained, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
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Ritchie Valens – La Bamba lyrics

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Ritchie Valens – La Bamba lyrics
Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba
Ay, arriba arriba
Por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere

Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan
Soy capitan, soy capitan
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bam

Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba

(Guitar solo - Richie & instrumental)

Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba
Ay, arriba arriba
Por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere

Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
FADES-
Bamba, bamba.

English translation:

In order to dance The Bamba
In order to dance the Bamba
You need a little bit of grace
A little bit of grace
For me, for you, ah up, ah up(or higher and higher)
Ah, up, up (literally "faster, faster")
By you I will be, by you I will be, by you I will be
(Por can also mean by and not just for)

I am not a sailor,
I am not a sailor, I am a captain
I am a captain, I am a captain
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bam

In order To dance The Bamba
In order To dance The Bamba
You need a little bit of grace
A little bit of grace
For me, for you, ah up, ah up (higher and higher)

(Guitar only - Richie and set of instruments)

In order to dance The Bamba
In order to dance The Bamba
You need a little bit of grace
A little bit of grace
For me, for you, ah up, ah up
Ah, up, up.
For you I will be, for you I will be, for you I will be
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
FADES-
Bamba, bamba.

(Repeats)
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Lyrics taken from /lyrics/r/ritchie_valens/la_bamba.html

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Songwriters: Ritchie Valens
La Bamba lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Corrected by Valmed

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La Bamba meanings Post my meaning

  • a
    + 34
    alr 2010-04-28 04:58:12
    It's been years that I've been translating this song. It is an old country dance native to the outlying areas of Mexico. I have surveyed a few native Spanish speakers to get the following:.
    Gracia is a cognate and translates directly to grace. You obviously require grace for any kind of dancing. It makes it appear effortless and pleasing to watch. This is accomplished with practice rather than natural ability.
    Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan: I'm the alpha dog, I make the decisions. Ok, that's more than a mere translation.
    Por ti sere: I will be (there) for you. The word "there" is omitted because the Spanish "alli" or "con eso" implies a physical location. This is an abstraction implying "I will provide you emotional support" and is not a love commitment as would be "I am yours." This is just a dance and you are a dance partner!
    Ay arriba: this short phrase is highly idiomatic and does not translate literally at all, especially with the word "ay." This closest you can come to is something like "Yippee" or "Hooray" as an simple cry of joy. An equivalent phrase "ay caramba" means pretty much the opposite.
    Sorry to have taken this beautiful song and tear it apart. It was a good exercise.
    Add your reply
  • d
    + 10
    duhpuck 2010-02-24 00:39:43
    @james williams.
    Your translation of "gracia" as "natural ability" would be incorrect even based on the definitions you provided.
    In English, "natural ability" describes an ability which comes naturally, or is innate, as opposed to learned. Gracia, or grace, is the ability to perform an action with beauty and ease, in a manner that feels natural. With much practice, I may learn to dance gracefully, or elegantly, even if I have little "natural ability" to do so.
    Also, translating gracia as "natural ability" entirely loses the connotation of beauty and elegance, as I may have a "natural ability" at math, which has nothing to do with grace.
    Just wanted to clarify on that point since you opted to be technical and seem to be interested in accuracy of the translation.
    1 reply
  • U
    + 9
    Unregistered 2021-10-30 13:16:07
    A bit clunky. Try:
    To dance the Bamba
    To dance the bamba requires a little grace,
    A little grace for you and for me.
    Arms up! Arms up!***
    For you I'll be For you I'll be For you I'll be.
    The verse that starts I am not a sailor is correct.
    The rest of the words are repeated.
    ***Arriba can also be used as arms up (in a Spanish dance pose). It is a very common lyric in Spanish dance songs.
    This rock and roll song is believed to be based on a traditional folk song in which the sailor tries to woo women by convincing them that he is a captain.
    Add your reply
  • r
    + 4
    ravu 2017-01-01 03:54:08
    Labamba can be interpreted at various level. It's a wonderful song. Sorry guys I love the music though I do not speak the language however knowing the literal meaning of the said lyrics can allow the readers to interpret Labamba at various levels especially talking into account the place & time of when the song was written and by whom also adds another dimension to the whole new meaning of this beautiful song. Certainly songwriters do subtly talk about the state of economy, culture, and even the political stance of the era they live in. Just though of sharing this.
    Add your reply
  • l
    + 1
    LizzyMacbeth 2011-04-26 11:01:07
    Hi everybody who did a literal translation,.
    I don't agree. Sure, that may be exactly what it means in spanish, but my guess is that most songs aren't completely literal. This guy is talking about a dance, not taking the National Spanish Exam.
    Because he is talking about a dance, my guess is "Se necesita una poca de gracia" was intended to be "One needs a bit of grace," not "One needs a bit of natural talent." Grace and talent may be *similar* in dancing, but you don't always have natural talent to have grace, and vice versa.
    I would also say that "ay arriba ay arriba" means "faster and faster."
    Add your reply
  • l
    0
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    0
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  • U
    0
    Unregistered 2021-05-11 05:02:32
    shut the fuck up, la bamba has always has recognition for Mexicans because of Richie valens because his music brought everyone to dance even if the song was in spanish. let the mexicans have something, were already treated badly by having our family deported and in cages, yea black lives matter but yall always tryna take something from mexicans to have spotlight
    Add your reply
  • U
    0
    Unregistered 2021-02-09 21:24:50
    La Bamba has musical origins in Africa and was originated by enslaved people in Mexico, influenced by the mixing of cultures there - enslaved Africans, Spanish colonizers, and indigenous peoples. The folksong and dance have been around for hundreds of years. The original song contains hundreds of verses, and performers sometimes improvise new ones. Black lives matter <3
    Add your reply
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  • U
    - 11
    Unregistered 2012-04-09 13:53:15
    Put simply, this song is about being skilled at getting laid. The reference to the ocean (ocean=wet, get it?) and being a "captain" is pretty obvious. The use of the term "marinero" references a person that goes out on the ocean, this is a metaphor for a woman's genitalia using moisture to tie the to together. Calling himself a captain means he's skill at navigating his way to and around said item ;)
    Add your reply
  • U
    - 12
    Unregistered 2012-08-09 03:44:39
    The original words were " la.. Jump the border la la la jump the border" but the record execs made it radio friendly. Ritchie actually didn't die that day with the big bopper and buddy holly. In fact ritchie is alive and well and playingg in los lobos and of course buddy goes by a new name elvis costello. That whole thing was a plot against the bopper the govt was tired of his bopping a similar plot was tried when they killd stevie ray vaughn trying to really take downn eric clapton its all a rock & roll conspiracy.
    Add your reply
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    • a
      + 34
      alr
      It's been years that I've been translating this song. It is an old country dance native to the... Read more →
    • d
      + 10
      duhpuck
      @james williams.
      Your translation of "gracia" as "natural ability" would be incorrect even based on... Read more →
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    [Intro][Verse][Pre-Chorus][Chorus][Hook][Bridge][Outro]