Camaleon
Maldita Vecindad y Los Hijos del Quinto Patio Lyrics
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Que no te licaba.
En la chamba tu jurabas
Que carnales para siempre
Y ahora vato na'más verte,
El destino es decisión.
Y ahora vato, mala suerte,
Tú elegiste camaleón.
Y digo
Cama, cama, cama, camaleón
Guácha, se te va a quemar
Esa fusca con que buscas
De tragar.
Trucha, se te va a quemar
Esa fusca con que buscas de tragar.
Trucha, se te va a quemar
Esa placa con que quieres
Farolear.
Buzo, no se va a olvidar
Que volteaste bandera ¡nada más!
Lica, te vas a quemar,
Esa chamba es pura lumbre
Camará.
Una,
Una tarde al acabar la marcha
Cayó la razzia:
Provocadores pasándose de
Lanza.
Con rabia en la mirada
Yo miré a quién me pegaba
Y detrás de la jugada
Te vi a ti camarada, te vi a ti
Camaleón.
Policía soy, dijiste,
El que no transa no avanza.
Aspirante a judicial,
Golpeador a contratar,
Te olvidaste del barrio,
El dinero es tu verdad.
Cama, cama, cama, camaleón
Trucha camaleón.
The lyrics of Maldita Vecindad y Los Hijos del Quinto Patio's song Camaleón speak about a person who has changed their beliefs, preferences, and personality to fit into a new environment. The first stanza talks about how the person used to be loyal to their friends and work, but now they've become a chameleon, changing their colors to blend in wherever they go. The chorus uses the repetition of "cama, cama, cama, camaleón" as a reference to the deceptive nature of a chameleon.
The second stanza speaks about the consequences of being a chameleon. The person is warned that their attempts to impress others and fit in will result in their downfall. Their actions will lead them to a "burnt-out" car, an exposed fake license plate, and a compromised job. The singer also warns the person that they will never be able to hide their true identity, as they will always be remembered for turning against their roots and friends.
The third and final stanza talks about an incident of police brutality. The singer is a part of a protest that is disrupted by the police. As they defend themselves, they recognize one of their own friends from their hood, who has become a police officer. The person tries to justify their actions by saying that they need to "transa" or cheat to advance in their career. The song ultimately acts as a cautionary tale about staying true to oneself without compromising our integrity for personal gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Hace un buen año vato
It's been a long time, dude.
Que no te licaba.
Since you were last seen.
En la chamba tu jurabas
You used to swear at work.
Que carnales para siempre
That brothers are forever.
Y ahora vato na'más verte,
But now, just seeing you,
El destino es decisión.
Destiny is a choice.
Y ahora vato, mala suerte,
And now, dude, bad luck,
Tú elegiste camaleón.
You chose to be a chameleon.
Y digo
And I say
Cama, cama, cama, camaleón
Bed, bed, bed, chameleon
Guácha, se te va a quemar
Watch out, it's going to burn
Esa fusca con que buscas
That ride you're using
De tragar.
To pull off a hustle.
Trucha, se te va a quemar
Careful, it's going to burn
Esa placa con que quieres
That badge you want to use
Farolear.
To bluff.
Buzo, no se va a olvidar
Neighbor, I won't forget
Que volteaste bandera ¡nada más!
That you betrayed only for money!
Lica, te vas a quemar,
Be careful, you'll burn
Esa chamba es pura lumbre
That job is pure fire.
Camará.
Dude.
Una,
One day,
Una tarde al acabar la marcha
One afternoon at the end of the march,
Cayó la razzia:
The raid came:
Provocadores pasándose de lanza.
Provocateurs being aggressive.
Con rabia en la mirada
With anger in my eyes
Yo miré a quién me pegaba
I looked at who was hitting me
Y detrás de la jugada
And behind the move
Te vi a ti camarada, te vi a ti
I saw you, comrade, I saw you
Camaleón.
Chameleon.
Policía soy, dijiste,
You said, 'I'm a police officer,'
El que no transa no avanza.
'The one who doesn't cut a deal doesn't get ahead.'
Aspirante a judicial,
Aspiring to become a judge,
Golpeador a contratar,
Hired as a thug
Te olvidaste del barrio,
You forgot about the neighborhood,
El dinero es tu verdad.
Money is your truth.
Cama, cama, cama, camaleón
Bed, bed, bed, chameleon
Trucha camaleón.
Be careful, chameleon.
Writer(s): maldita vecindad y los hijos del quinto patio
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.