# American songs with foreign lines? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 8, 2005, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333 "2005-04-08T03:25:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Iris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a5b964/32.png) [@Iris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iris)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/41 "2005-04-08T15:10:12Z")
There is a song by Concrete Blonde called **“Mexican Moon”** on their Mexican Moon album. There are two versions of the song - one in English and one in Spanish. The Spanish version is titled \*\*“Bajo la Lune Mexicana.” \*\* Even the English version has a few Spanish words. All I can remember off the top of my head from the Spanish version is: Pensando de ti bajo la lune mexicana… (thinking of you underneath the mexican moon…) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/42 "2005-04-08T15:47:28Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > **HelloKitty** ’s post reminded me of the Spanish coda in Crosby Stills & Nash’s “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” _Que linda me la traiga Cuba, la reina de la Mar Caribe. Cielo sol no tiene sangreahi, y que triste que no puedo vaya, Oh va, oh va, va._ ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/43 "2005-04-08T15:53:53Z")
Madonna’s “Who’s That Girl” has a bit of Spanish in it: Quien es esa nina, who’s that girl Senorita, mas fina, who’s that girl as does “La Isla Bonita” (a spoken bit in the beginning, and, well, La Isla Bonita) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/44 "2005-04-08T16:48:34Z")
> [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#): > > Madonna’s “Who’s That Girl” has a bit of Spanish in it: > > Quien es esa nina, who’s that girl > Senorita, mas fina, who’s that girl > > as does “La Isla Bonita” (a spoken bit in the beginning, and, well, La Isla Bonita) She also did a “Spanglish” version of “Ni Llores por mi Argentina.” ABBA recorded “Voulez-Vous” La question c’est voulez-vous. ---
**Author:** ![emekthian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emekthian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emekthian)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/45 "2005-04-08T21:00:06Z")
Let’s not forget the only American song featuring lines in Koine Greek, Kyrie Eleison by Mr. Mister. ---
**Author:** ![Iacob\_Matthew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Iacob\_Matthew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iacob_Matthew)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/46 "2005-04-09T01:32:09Z")
_The Pixies_’ “Debaser” has an almost nonsense English French/Spanish mixture- “I am un chien Andalusia” ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/47 "2005-04-09T02:56:01Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I’ll also allow _La Bamba_ and _99 Luftballons_, as each was released on American radio, despite being ONLY in Spanish and German, respectively (and yes, I am aware that there was a translated version of \*99 Luftballons. I treat it like _Highlander_ fans treat _Highlander 2_). 99 Luftballons is not an American song. It was recorded by Nena who is German. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/48 "2005-04-09T02:59:47Z")
Blondie’s Call Me has some French verses, also I think Manhatten Transfer are American, they released a song entirely in French in 1977 called Chanson D’Amour. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/49 "2005-04-09T03:57:25Z")
The Showtune Queen steps in… “Wilkommen” from _Cabaret_. The entire first part of the song is set up as a repetition of the lyrics in German, French and English. > [@](#): > > Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome! > Fremder, etranger, stranger > Glücklich zu sehen, > Je suis enchanté, > Happy to see you, > Bleibe, reste, stay. > Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome! > Im Cabaret, Au Cabaret, To Cabaret! > Meine Damen und Herren- > Mes dames et Messieurs- > Ladies and Gentlemen, > Guten Abend! Bon Soir! Good Evening! > Wie geht’s? Comment sa va? > Do you feel good? > Ich bin eur confrencier! > Je suis votre compère, > I am your host! ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/50 "2005-04-09T13:17:09Z")
C’est La Vie – ELP Painful though it may be: Living La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin Michelle - Beatles My ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/51 "2005-04-09T13:27:50Z")
> [@](#): > > Sorry hit the wrong key C’est La Vie – ELP Painful though it may be: Living La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin Michelle - Beatles My Sweet Lord - George Harrison (Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, Rama Krishna. . .) By the same token Hare Krishna shows in a few Beatles’ songs. ---
**Author:** ![Chimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/52 "2005-04-09T13:29:02Z")
They’re british, but **The Clash** have a fair few spanish lines, in _Should I Stay or Should I Go_\* there’s lines like “Esta undecision me molesta”, and _Spanish Bombs_\* has a lot of spanish. Those are just a few examples. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/53 "2005-04-09T13:59:47Z")
**Bob Dylan, Black Diamond Bay** But the dealer says, "Attendez-vous, s’il vous plait,’’ … While she’s out on the balcony, where a stranger tells her, “My darling, je vous aime beaucoup.” **Bob Dylan, Romance in Durango** “No llores, mi querida Dios nos vigila Soon the horse will take us to Durango. Agarrame, mi vida Soon the desert will be gone Soon you will be dancing the fandango.” **Neil Diamond, Canta Libre** Canta libre, Canta vida, de mi madre, y mi padre, Canta mi corazon, Para los ninos, y sus ninos, canta libre. ---
**Author:** ![Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stark_Raven_Mad)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/54 "2005-04-09T15:47:42Z")
**Dean Martin, An Evening in Roma** Como e bella ce la luna brille e strette Strette como e tutta bella a passeggiare Sotto il cielo di roma **Dean Martin, Return to Me** Ritorna me, cara mia ti amo. Solo tu, solo tu, solo tu, mi amo. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/55 "2005-04-09T16:29:13Z")
> [@Imasquare](#): > > 99 Luftballons is not an American song. It was recorded by Nena who is German. I was aware of that. I thought that me saying that I would allow it because it was released on American radio explained that. Sorry for the confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/56 "2005-04-09T17:44:49Z")
> [@AwSnappity](#): > > “One Week” by the Barenaked Ladies contains the line: > _We’re dans la maison_ So close, but they’re Canuckis, I believe. ‘Weird’ Al, however was born in CA and has the song ‘Taco Grande’ with many words in Spanish included. Plus, there’s Michigan’s own Madonna w/ ‘Isla Bonita’; there’s a line that goes ‘girl with eyes like Barbados’ that my friends and I always sung ‘potatos’ instead of Barbados. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/57 "2005-04-09T19:43:57Z")
Again, I don’t think the nationality rule matters that much, since **Superdude** has specified that Nena counts. He’s allowing anything on American radio. And, since I feel like flaunting the “nationality doesn’t matter anymore really” principle, I’m going to cite the Beatles’ “Across the Universe”: _Jai guru deva, om_ ---
**Author:** ![EmeraldGrue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dc4da7/32.png) [@EmeraldGrue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmeraldGrue)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/58 "2005-04-09T20:45:06Z")
> [@Iacob\_Matthew](#): > > _The Pixies_’ “Debaser” has an almost nonsense English French/Spanish mixture- > “I am un chien Andalusia” …which is, of course (if you look at the full lyrics) a reference to [Un chien andalou](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020530/). What about that swing hit “Bei Mir Bistu Schoen”, originally all Yiddish? All that remains in the Andrews Sisters’ cover is the title line. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/59 "2005-04-09T20:51:40Z")
> [@Portia](#): > > Plus, there’s Michigan’s own Madonna w/ ‘Isla Bonita’; there’s a line that goes ‘girl with eyes like Barbados’ that my friends and I always sung ‘potatos’ instead of Barbados. If you’re thinking of the line I’m thinking of, it’s _young girl with eyes like the desert_. The only thing in the song that sounds like “potatoes” is “San Pedro”. It is found in the first line: _Last night I dreamt of San Pedro_, and later _I fell in love with San Pedro_. Madonna has also recorded Spanish versions of her songs “You’ll See” (_Veras_), and “What It Feels Like For A Girl” (_Lo Que Siente La Mujer_). “Lo Que Siente” got some airplay on the radio and Madonna sang the Spanish version on her Drowned World Tour. In “Paradise (Not For Me),” she sings one verse in French: _Au tour de moi, je ne voit pas Qui sont les anges, ce n’est pas moi Encore un fois, je suis casee, encore un fois, je ne crois pas._ All around me, I cannot see Who are the angels, they are not me Once again, I am broken, once again, I can’t believe. She also sang _Ray Of Light_’s “Shanti/Ashtangi” Sanskrit track on MTV. It was a chant from her yoga classes that she set to electropop. After she was criticized by some Hindu groups for her lazy (Americanized) pronunciation on the album, she cleaned up her act and twisted her mouth around the more unfamiliar vowel sounds on MTV and while some monks watching overseas were scandalized by Madonna co-opting their chants, there were reports of others nodding their heads and saying she was a “true seeker”. No doubt when her next album is released, I can resurrect this thread with a critique of her version of “Hava Nagila” (which her husband seemed to have an obsession with even _before_ the Special K rotted his brain). ~ kfl, [sub]Purveyors of Fine Madonna Fanaticism since 1984.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333/60 "2005-04-09T21:19:36Z")
> [@Iacob\_Matthew](#): > > _The Pixies_’ “Debaser” has an almost nonsense English French/Spanish mixture- > “I am un chien Andalusia” It makes sense as a film reference; [Un chien andalou](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020530/) was the name of a film collaboration between Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali. Any number of Tex-Mex, Salsa and Cajun songs could qualify. Maybe the OP needs to tighten up the parameters of the definition of “American song”? I would add that Pearl Jam song from the _Dead Man Walking_ soundtrack, the one with vocals by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-songs-with-foreign-lines/298333.md?page=4)