La Cucaracha
A.B. Quintanilla III Y Los Kumbia Kings Lyrics

¡La cucaracha!
The song La Cucaracha begins by calling out the title and subject of the song, which is 'the cockroach.'

(Uh, uh) la cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
The cockroach is introduced with sounds typical to the cumbia genre, with an upbeat, high-energy beat and vocals.

Ya no puede caminar Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah) Marihuana que fumar
The cockroach is portrayed as being unable to walk, hobbled by the lack of marijuana to smoke. The line can be seen as a critique of drug use or a commentary on its effects on one's ability to function or be productive in society.

Ya estoy harto de que me digan De que yo dije, algo que dicen Mira que yo digo la verdad Y no me voy a callar
The artist expresses frustration with being misquoted or misrepresented in the press, and vows to speak the truth regardless of the consequences.

Las cucarachas como la prensa Que se me acercan y me atormentan Y mil historias (uh, uh) que se me inventan Y digo basta ya
The artist likens the press to cockroaches that pester and hound him, creating false stories and causing frustration. He has had enough and demands they stop.

Pero ese muchacho El cumbia loco No sabe que de la calle Se aprende poco Y ante todos te juro Me está enloqueciendo Ya no aguanto esas mentiras Por favor basta ya
The singer reiterates his frustration with the lies and misinformation spread by the press, specifically calling out a person named 'Cumbia Loco' who doesn't understand that life on the streets doesn't necessarily teach one truth. The singer is driven to the brink of insanity and begs for the lies to stop.

Ahora si que no entiendo que me decías Si no estaba haciendo nada malo Tú no me entiendes y hasta basta ya Pero no sabes
The singer is confused as to why he is being targeted or criticized when he has done nothing wrong. He feels that others don't understand him and demands that it stop.

Por mi salario trabajo duro Por mi familia siempre procuro Y te digo que basta ya Pero que mira que no sé que tanto
The artist notes that he works hard for his money and takes care of his family, and is tired of being attacked or criticized for no reason. He doesn't know what else he could do to get people to stop talking about him.

A raíz de todo eso que dicen Las malas lenguas Yo les dedico la cucaracha Y les digo que las voy a pisar
The artist recognizes that people are talking badly about him and decides to 'dedicate' the song to those who spread lies and rumors. He threatens to step on them like the cockroach mentioned in the song.

Yo yo listen up Me hiciste enojar y lo vas apagar Una coladera es donde debes de estar Te vas a callar, te voy a enseñar Que de mí no te debes de burlar Ya te lo dije en la canción, te dije shh shh Calladita, ay cucarachita Ya no seas tontita Date cuenta que te puedo lastimar y mira el DJ aquí está
The artist addresses someone who has angered him and threatens to silence them. He tells them to realize he is not to be messed with and threatens violence. The DJ is present and plays music that complements the threatening tone.

Me dicen que nosotros somos más de allá que de acá Pero qué idiota eres si no puedes ver tu raza Cumbia, Rap y Pop son de la misma casa (uh huh) Y si te importa tantito, te dedico este corrido
The singer notes that he and others like him are often dismissed as not belonging or fitting in, but argues that all types of music (cumbia, rap, and pop) come from the same cultural roots. He dedicates the song to anyone who cares to listen and understand this message.

Marihuana que fumar Marihuana que fumar Marihuana que fumar (¡La Cucaracha!)
The song ends with a repetition of the line about the cockroach's need for marijuana to walk, emphasizing this storyline and drawing attention to drug use. The repetition of 'La Cucaracha!' at the end is a call back to the beginning of the song and serves as a conclusion to the piece.