While we’ve already given the English lyrics to the Macarena and the song’s meaning, we haven’t fully broken down the song line by line. Doing so reveals how the translations of the song may be complex and not tell the full story behind the, somewhat shocking, true meaning of the song.
What we’re going to do is go stanza by stanza, first giving the original Spanish lyric of the song, followed immediately by the English language translation:
Chorus to the Macarena
First the song begins with the iconic chorus which goes as follows:
“Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena”
Give your body joy, Macarena
“Que tu cuerpo es pa’ darle alegría y cosa buena”
That your body is for giving joy and good things
“Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena”
Give your body joy, Macarena
“Eh, Macarena, ¡Ay!”
Eh, Macarena, oh!
Notes on the chorus: “Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena” – This phrase could be interpreted as a call to let loose, enjoy life, and express oneself through dance. It can also be seen as a general appeal to enjoy life’s pleasures and be happy. The use of “Macarena,” can suggest this is directed towards a particular individual, but in a broader sense, it might represent any song listener.
Verse 1
The song then begins the first verse:
“Macarena tiene un novio que se llama”
Macarena has a boyfriend named
“Que se llama de apellido Vitorino”
Whose last name is Vitorino
“Y en la jura de bandera el muchacho”
And during the flag ceremony, the boy
“Se la vio con dos amigos”
Saw her with two friends
Notes on the first verse: “Macarena tiene un novio que se llama…” – The line suggests that Macarena has a boyfriend, but the fact that she’s seen with two friends during the boyfriend’s flag ceremony hints at potential infidelity. This opens an interpretation of Macarena’s character and the song’s perspective on relationships. Some might view Macarena as a free-spirited individual, while others may see her actions in a more negative light.
Bridge
The song repeats the same chorus that the song opened with and then goes into this bridge:
“Macarena, Macarena, Macarena”
Macarena, Macarena, Macarena
“Que tributo a los veranos de Marbella”
Paying tribute to the summers of Marbella
“Macarena, Macarena, Macarena”
Macarena, Macarena, Macarena
“Que te gusta la movida guerrillera ¡Ay!”
That you like the guerrilla movement, oh!
Notes on the bridge: “Que tributo a los veranos de Marbella” – This tribute to Marbella’s summers may represent an appreciation for the relaxed, vacation-like atmosphere of the city or perhaps hint at the memories or events that occurred there. However, its interpretation can vary based on an individual’s familiarity and association with Marbella.
“Que te gusta la movida guerrillera ¡Ay!” – This line has significant cultural context, as “movida” can refer to a countercultural movement in Spain post-Franco era. The line might suggest that Macarena is rebellious or non-conformist, enjoying an alternative lifestyle or having a progressive mindset.
Macarena Verse 2
After another trip to the chorus, the song returns to a second verse describing how she dresses.
“Macarena sueña con El Corte Inglés”
Macarena dreams of El Corte Inglés (a famous Spanish department store)
“Y se compra los modelos más modernos”
And she buys the most modern models (fashions)
“Le gustaría vivir en Nueva York”
She would like to live in New York
“Y ligar un novio nuevo, ¡Ay!”
And hook up with a new boyfriend, oh!
Notes on the second verse: “Macarena sueña con El Corte Inglés…” – Macarena’s dream about shopping at El Corte Inglés and living in New York can suggest aspiration for a modern, glamorous lifestyle, possibly hinting at the materialism. It can also indicate a desire for change, to break free from her current circumstances.
However, it’s important to remember that lyrics’ interpretations can vary greatly depending on the listener’s experiences, cultural background, and personal beliefs. These layers of meaning and the potential for varied understanding contribute to the song’s enduring popularity across cultures.