La sopa En Botella
Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco Lyrics

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Oye mi socio
No esperes que yo te lleve esa sopita en botella
Ni que te compre ese fardo
Ni que te dé esa mesada
Acurrala de abutín
Si quieres sentir la vida bella
(Laralalalalalalalalalalaralalala)
Ah lala

(Laralalalalalalalalalalalalalala)
Oye

Mira muchacho
Tienes los cables cambiaos
Tiene el cerebro tostao'
Tú lo que estás es tururato
Si quieres un consejo
Acurrala de abutín
Si quieres poder llegar a viejo

Eh, pero no esperes mi socio
Esa sopita en botella
(No esperes mi socio)
(Esa sopita en botella)

Yo no te doy la mesada
Ya tú no sirves pa' nada
Vive bien

(No esperes mi socio)
(Esa sopita en botella)
Eh, se te fue la cocinera
Ya tú no puede con ella, tú ves
(No esperes mi socio)
(Esa sopita en botella)

(No esperes mi socio)
(Esa sopita en botella)
Eh tienes los cables cambiaos
Y tu cerebro tostao', óyelo
(No esperes mi socio)
(Esa sopita en botella)
Eh, yo no te compro ese fardo
Yo no te doy la mesada
Vive bien

(No esperes mi socio)
(Esa sopita en botella)

Overall Meaning

The song "La Sopa" by Celia Cruz is a satirical critique of the dependency culture in which some people rely on others to provide them with basic needs such as food and money. In the first verse, Celia Cruz tells her "socio" (partner) not to expect her to provide him with a bottle of soup or to buy him a bundle of food or give him a monthly allowance. Instead, if he wants to experience the good life, he should work hard and earn it himself. She then encourages him to "acurrucala de abutin" which has a double meaning in Cuban slang meaning either to have a cozy embrace with a loved one or to work hard and hustle.

In the second verse, Cruz addresses a younger person who she believes has lost his way and is suffering from a lack of motivation. She describes him as having his "cables cambiaos" (switched cables) and a "cerebro tostao'" (burnt brain). Cruz advises the young man to work hard and "acurrucala de abutin" in order to be successful and live a long and fulfilling life. The repeated refrain "No esperes mi socio, esa sopita en botella" (Don't expect me, partner, to give you that bottle of soup) emphasizes the theme of self-reliance and the importance of hard work and independence.

Overall, "La Sopa" is a humorous and upbeat song that encourages listeners to work hard and take responsibility for their own lives. It is a commentary on the culture of dependence, classism, and inequality that persists in many societies, and highlights the value of personal agency, resilience, and self-determination.

Line by Line Meaning

Oye mi socio
Listen to me, my friend.

No esperes que yo te lleve esa sopita en botella
Don't expect me to bring you that bottled soup.

Ni que te compre ese fardo
I won't buy that set for you.

Ni que te dé esa mesada
I won't give you that allowance.

Acurrala de abutín
Save up every penny you have.

Si quieres sentir la vida bella
If you want to experience the beautiful life.

(Laralalalalalalalalalalaralalala)
N/A

Ah lala
N/A

(Laralalalalalalalalalalalalalala)
N/A

Oye
Listen up.

Mira muchacho
Look here, boy.

Tienes los cables cambiaos
You have your wires crossed.

Tiene el cerebro tostao'
You have a fried brain.

Tú lo que estás es tururato
You're a scatterbrained.

Si quieres un consejo
If you want a piece of advice.

Acurrala de abutín
Save up every penny you have.

Si quieres poder llegar a viejo
If you want to live long.

Eh, pero no esperes mi socio
Hey, but don't expect me to.

Esa sopita en botella
To bring you that bottled soup.