Among their greatest hits -after their Three Souls era- "Triste Cancion" (based on Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane"), "Metro Balderas" (originally by Rodrigo Gonzalez), and "Piedras Rodantes" are probably the most known and have the quality of Anthems. Favorite bluesy songs such as "Oye Cantinero" and "ADO" belong to their Three Souls era, but are included in compilations and newer versions (from live concert recordings) abound.
El Rey
El Tri Lyrics
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Pero el día en que yo me muera
Sé que tendrás que llorar
(llorar why llorar, llorar why llorar)
Dirás que no me quisiste
Pero vas a estar muy triste
why así te vas a quedar
Hago siempre lo que quiero
why mi palabra es la ley
No tengo trono ni reina
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Pero sigo siendo el rey
¡Échale!
Una piedra en el camino
Me enseño que mi destino era rodar why rodar
(Rodar why rodar, rodar why rodar)
Después me dijo un arrielo
Que no hay que llegar primero
Sino hay que saber llegar
Con dinero why sin dinero
Hago siempre lo que quiero
why mi palabra es la ley
No tengo trono ni reina
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Pero sigo siendo el rey
The song "El Rey" by El Tri is a catchy tune with a number of interesting lyrics that express deep sentiments about life and death. The singer begins by acknowledging that he is aware that he may be outside or apart from a certain situation or relationship. However, he insists that when he dies, whoever loved him will be the one to cry over his passing. They will then accuse him of not truly loving him, even though they will actually end up feeling very sad and lonely without him. This kind of sadness is natural and expected, and it only shows the depth of love he has inspired in those around him.
The next stanza talks about how even without being King or having a queen, he still has power over his own life. The emphasis here is on the fact that he makes his own rules and is not beholden to anyone else's authority. He has no control over other people, but he is still the king, the one in charge of his own destiny. The last stanza, which is arguably the most famous part of the song, uses the metaphor of a stone in the road to suggest that sometimes what seems like a hindrance can actually be the key to a brighter future. He learned that it's not always about coming first or winning, it's more important to know how to navigate the journey of life. Despite the trials and tribulations he has faced, he insists that he is still the king.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo sé bien que estoy afuera
I know well that I am on the outside
Pero el día en que yo me muera
But the day that I die
Sé que tendrás que llorar (llorar why llorar, llorar why llorar)
I know you will have to cry (cry and cry)
Dirás que no me quisiste
You will say that you did not love me
Pero vas a estar muy triste
But you will be very sad
why así te vas a quedar
and that is how you will remain
Con dinero why sin dinero
With or without money
Hago siempre lo que quiero
I always do what I want
why mi palabra es la ley
and my word is law
No tengo trono ni reina
I have no throne or queen
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Nor does anyone understand me
Pero sigo siendo el rey
But I continue to be the king
¡Échale!
Hit it!
Una piedra en el camino
A stone in the road
Me enseño que mi destino era rodar why rodar
Taught me that my destiny was to roll and roll
(Rodar why rodar, rodar why rodar)
(roll and roll)
Después me dijo un arrielo
Later a messenger told me
Que no hay que llegar primero
That it is not about arriving first
Sino hay que saber llegar
But rather about knowing how to arrive
Con dinero why sin dinero
With or without money
Hago siempre lo que quiero
I always do what I want
why mi palabra es la ley
and my word is law
No tengo trono ni reina
I have no throne or queen
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Nor does anyone understand me
Pero sigo siendo el rey
But I continue to be the king
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALEJANDRO LORA SERNA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind