Me gustas tu

It's a beautiful feeling—cultural diversity, I mean. Music is a connecting instrument that links different cultures and languages together. It's amazing how a song recently made me fall in love with Spanish and French at the same time.

The song is none other than "Me Gustas Tú" by Manu Chao. In this song, he combines both Spanish and French, a brilliant concept by an artist.

Watch the song here:

I came across this song while watching my routine YouTube Shorts. In the short, a boy—for whatever reason—got trapped by a bull in what seemed to be a display field for public entertainment. In the video, the boy tried escaping from the horns of this majestic beast, but unfortunately, he couldn't. This music played in the background, and even though I had no understanding of what it said, I could somehow read its meaning in my heart. I reflected on the fragility of life and the universal diversity between individuals.

I immediately searched for the song and found it. I checked its translation, and wow! It was so poetic I couldn't help but replay it over and over and over again.

I included a video that incorporates its lyrical translation—perhaps you might feel what I feel: 👇👇

Watch the translated version here.

I got to see how simple French is—quite straightforward and pleasant to the ears.

"Me gustas tú" translates to "I like you." I guess I've found a beautiful description of what love feels like in this musical piece. For a moment, poetry seemed perfect only in English, but it feels even better in French and Spanish.

The song says:

"What time is it, my love? I love you.
I like the rain, I like you.
I like the motorcycle, I like you.
What am I going to do? I don't know.
What am I going to do? I don't know anymore."

It's a love song that touches my heart and talks about life. If you're feeling down, heartbroken, weary, or fed up, listen to this song—for it is life to our souls.

French, English, Spanish, or whatever language can be combined into a universal language—something only music can give us. Music is the only thing that'll make an Asian give ears to a Spanish song or a Nigerian like me pick up interest in Spanish and French at the same time.

Music brings people from different continents together. It gives us an idea of the tribe behind the language and triggers the honest desire to look up a certain language, dive into its depths, and understand the people, their culture, and their customs.

Music is life. Music is love. Music is… unity in diversity!

Here's some of the lyrics and translation:

intro

¿Qué horas son, mi corazón?
What time is it my heart?
Te lo dije bien clarito
I told you very clear
Permanece a la escucha
Stay tuned
Permanece a la escucha
Stay tuned

intro

Doce de la noche en La Habana, Cuba
Twelve o'clock at night in Havana, Cuba
Once de la noche en San Salvador, El Salvador
Eleven at night in San Salvador, El Salvador
Once de la noche en Managua, Nicaragua
Eleven o'clock at night in Managua, Nicaragua

verse

Me gustan los aviones, me gustas tú
I like airplanes, I like you
Me gusta viajar, me gustas tú
I like to travel, I like you
Me gusta la mañana, me gustas tú
I like the morning, I like you
Me gusta el viento, me gustas tú
I like the wind, I like you
Me gusta soñar, me gustas tú
I like to dream, I like you
Me gusta la mar, me gustas tú
I like the sea, I like you

chorus

¿Qué voy a hacer?, je ne sais pas
What I'm gonna do? I don't know
¿Qué voy a hacer?, je ne sais plus
What I'm gonna do? Don't know any more
¿Qué voy a hacer?, je suis perdu
What am I going to do? I'm lost
¿Qué horas son, mi corazón?
What time is it my heart?

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