N'Klabe is a salsa group formed in Puerto Rico in 2003 by Héctor Torres, Fé… Read Full Bio ↴N'Klabe is a salsa group formed in Puerto Rico in 2003 by Héctor Torres, Félix Javier Torres and Ricardo Porrata. Erico "Paco" Pacoňa was later added to liven up the group's stage prescence, but only served for a short period due to his death.

The group has been nominated to several awards during the course of their short career and have been baptized as "the future of Salsa music" by pioneers of the genre like Cheo Feliciano.

On both of their albums, the group has contributed with reggaeton artist Voltio on two of their most well-known songs. They have recently collaborated with R.K.M. & Ken-Y.

La Rueda
N'KLABE Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tu eres la rueda, yo soy el camino
Pasas encima de mi dando vueltas
Tu rodaras porque ese es tu destino
Sin encontrar nadie que te detenga
Quise pararte pero ibas sin frenos
Y tus rodadas me hicieron pedazos
Porque no quieres los caminos buenos
Y agarras todo lo que hay en tus pasos

Yo que soñaba, con ser en tu vida
El terminar de tus vueltas al mundo
Te vi pasar como nave perdida
De aquí pa'lla sin agarrar tu rumbo
Ninguna rueda me había lastimado
Y me pasaron de las mas pesadas
Pero contigo quede destrozado
Porque no hiciste ninguna parada

Yo que te tenia siempre a mi lado
Y el día menos pensado
Tu te me fuiste de mi lado

Yo que soñaba, con ser en tu vida
El terminar de tus vueltas al mundo
Te vi pasar como nave perdida

Pero hay que barbaridad
Y yo sin moverme del mismo lugar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of N'KLABE's "La Rueda" express the singer's pain and frustration with a partner who he compares to a wheel (rueda) and himself to a road (camino). He describes how she continues rolling over him, not stopping for anything or anyone, even if it causes harm or destruction. He expresses a sense of betrayal and disappointment as he reveals that he once dreamed of being a significant part of her life and helping her find her way in the world. However, she has gone off course, and he feels hurt because she has left him behind while she continues to travel the world without a clear direction.

The metaphor of the wheel and the road emphasizes the singer's lack of agency in the relationship. He feels powerless while his partner is in control, causing damage to him and anyone around her. The lyrics reveal his sense of betrayal and sadness as he mourns the loss of his former love. The use of maritime imagery in the bridge reflects the idea of being lost at sea, helplessly adrift without direction.

Interestingly, "La Rueda" became a hit song in Latin America and was part of a resurgence of salsa music in the early 2000s. The song's popularity might be attributed to its catchy melody and relatable lyrics about a troubled relationship that many people can empathize with. Here are some additional facts about the song:

* "La Rueda" was released in 2002 as part of N'KLABE's album "Salsa con Reggaeton."
* N'KLABE is a Puerto Rican salsa band that was formed in 2001 by three friends who wanted to create a modern version of salsa with reggaeton influences.
* The song's music video has over 65 million views on YouTube.
* "La Rueda" has been covered by various artists, including Bachata Heightz and Jerry Rivera.
* The song has been featured in various films and TV shows, including the Colombian telenovela "Pasión de Gavilanes."
* N'KLABE won a Latin Billboard Music Award in 2003 for "Tropical/Salsa Album of the Year" for "Salsa con Reggaeton."
* The band has continued to release music, and their latest album, "De Buenas," was released in 2020.
* "La Rueda" is a popular song to dance salsa to, and its distinctive rhythm has inspired remixes and covers in various genres.
* The song's lyrics have been translated into English, French, and Portuguese, among other languages.
* The song's chord progression is C, G/B, Am, F, E, Am, G, F.

Line by Line Meaning

Tu eres la rueda, yo soy el camino
You are the wheel, I am the path

Pasas encima de mi dando vueltas
You pass over me, spinning around

Tu rodaras porque ese es tu destino
You will roll because that is your destiny

Sin encontrar nadie que te detenga
Without finding anyone to stop you

Quise pararte pero ibas sin frenos
I wanted to stop you but you were without brakes

Y tus rodadas me hicieron pedazos
And your wheels shattered me

Porque no quieres los caminos buenos
Because you don't want the good paths

Y agarras todo lo que hay en tus pasos
And you grab everything that is on your way

Yo que soñaba, con ser en tu vida
I who dreamed, of being in your life

El terminar de tus vueltas al mundo
Ending your rounds around the world

Te vi pasar como nave perdida
I saw you pass like a lost ship