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.
Nadie Sabe Para Quien Trabaja
El Tri Lyrics
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queria trabajar en esta gran ciudad
busco jale en dos que tres chambas
pero en ninguna de ellas se hayo
y para no morirse de hambre
mejor se metio al talon
Se metio a talonear porque es una chamba segura
y porque la verdad la sabe hacer muy bien
ella al cliente le da lo que pide
garantiza su satisfaccion
y hasta ha habido muchos que regresan
a que les de pilon
Miles de clientes ha tenido ya
y muchos mas le van a llegar
porque ellla nunca le afloja al talon
mientras algun lenon se agasaja
pues nadie sabe para quien trabaja
Es la profesion mas vieja del mundo
y es jale machin la prostitucion
The lyrics to El Tri’s song “Nadie Sabe Para Quien Trabaja” tell the story of a woman who comes from the province to work in the big city but cannot find employment. To prevent herself from starving, she turns to prostitution. She is good at her job and guarantees satisfaction to her clients. The lyrics talk about the large number of satisfied clients she has had and will continue to have, as well as the fact that despite the societal stigma attached to her profession, it is the oldest profession in the world.
The song is essentially a commentary on the realities of the world and the fact that people often have to resort to situations that they would not necessarily choose in order to survive. It also speaks to the disconnection between the wealthy people who demand the services of sex workers and the prostitutes themselves who are often looked down upon by society. The line “mientras algun lenon se agasaja pues nadie sabe para quien trabaja” translates to “while some pimp is living it up, nobody knows who they’re really working for.”
El Tri is a Mexican rock band that has been active since the late 1960s, and the lyrics to “Nadie Sabe Para Quien Trabaja” were first penned in 1986 as part of the album “Hecho en México.” The song is a classic of the band’s repertoire and is considered an anthem of sorts for the working-class in Mexico.
Line by Line Meaning
Una bella mujer que vino de la provincia
A beautiful woman arrived from the countryside
queria trabajar en esta gran ciudad
She wanted to work in this big city
busco jale en dos que tres chambas
She searched for work in a few places
pero en ninguna de ellas se hayo
But she didn't find any
y para no morirse de hambre
And to not die of hunger
mejor se metio al talon
She went into the trade
Se metio a talonear porque es una chamba segura
She joined prostitution because it's a reliable job
y porque la verdad la sabe hacer muy bien
And because she's good at it
ella al cliente le da lo que pide
She gives the client what they ask for
garantiza su satisfaccion
She guarantees their satisfaction
y hasta ha habido muchos que regresan
Many clients come back
a que les de pilon
For a little extra
Miles de clientes ha tenido ya
She's had thousands of clients
y muchos mas le van a llegar
Many more will come
porque ellla nunca le afloja al talon
Because she never gives up on her work
mientras algun lenon se agasaja
While some pimp enjoys himself
pues nadie sabe para quien trabaja
Nobody knows who she works for
Es la profesion mas vieja del mundo
It's the world's oldest profession
y es jale machin la prostitucion
And prostitution is a serious job
Contributed by Claire W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.