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.
Ruta 100
El Tri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
la ciudad esta caliente y la banda esta igual
Por las broncas y las tranzas de la ruta 100
Los choferes piden chamba y el gobierno no les da
los choferes piden chamba y el gobierno no les da
Marchas y manifestaciones arruinan la vialidad
La ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la ciudad
la ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la capital
Ahora muchos 'stan sin chamba y los lideres en el penal
Ya la gente esta espantada, por tanto acto criminal
ya la gente esta espantada por tanto acto criminal
Pues parece que las broncas nunca van a terminar
La ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la ciudad
la ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la capital
Ahora muchos 'stan sin chamba y los lideres en el penal
Se atracaron el billete dos que tres lideres charros
se atracaron el billete dos que tres lideres charos
y dejaron a los choferes tronados y desempleados
La ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la ciudad
la ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la capital
Ahora muchos 'stan sin chamba y los lideres en el penal
La ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la ciudad
la ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la capital
Ahora muchos 'stan sin chamba y los lideres en el penal
Mejor caminale mi rey
The song Ruta 100 by El Tri depicts the corruption and injustice that took place during the 1980s on the Route 100 buses in Mexico City. The lyrics speak about the struggles faced by the drivers who were denied jobs by the government, leading to protests and marches that disrupted the city's traffic. The song also highlights how the leaders in charge of the bus union embezzled funds, leaving the drivers unemployed and destitute.
The chorus "La ciudad está caliente y la banda está igual" meaning "The city is hot, and the band is the same" implies that the situation is intense, and people are agitated. The repeated line "La ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la ciudad" emphasizes the significance of Route 100 in the city, where it was a central means of transportation for many.
The song portrays how the greed and dishonesty of politicians and union leaders caused great distress for the honest workers. The song's concluding advice to "walk" or "caminale" suggests that it is better to face challenges on foot than by bus or any means of transportation.
Line by Line Meaning
La ciudad esta caliente y la banda esta igual
The city is hot and the people are equally heated up
Por las broncas y las tranzas de la ruta 100
Because of the troubles and scams on route 100
Los choferes piden chamba y el gobierno no les da
The drivers are asking for work but the government is not giving them any
Marchas y manifestaciones arruinan la vialidad
Protests and demonstrations are disrupting traffic
La ruta 100, ruta 100 atravesaba la ciudad
Route 100 used to cross the city
Ahora muchos 'stan sin chamba y los lideres en el penal
Now many are without work and the leaders are in prison
Ya la gente esta espantada por tanto acto criminal
People are already frightened by so much criminal activity
Pues parece que las broncas nunca van a terminar
It seems that the troubles will never end
Se atracaron el billete dos que tres lideres charros
Two or three corrupt leaders took all the money
y dejaron a los choferes tronados y desempleados
And left the drivers broke and unemployed
Mejor caminale mi rey
It's better to walk, my friend
Contributed by Stella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.