As childhood best friends and band mates growing up in Denver, Colorado, Jo… Read Full Bio ↴As childhood best friends and band mates growing up in Denver, Colorado, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing dreamed of being professional singer-songwriters. Then, one day (poof!) they were all grown up and playing their music on the scene. After years of touring the Midwest with their bluegrass band, Joe and Justin decided to keep their folk roots, but return to where it all began: childhood imagination. That’s when they moved to Minneapolis to start their “kindie” band called The Okee Dokee Brothers.

Inspired by their own backyard adventures, The Okee Dokee Brothers currently perform original music that reminds audiences of their own make-believes and treehouse-pretendings. Listening to their banjo and guitar is like Huck and Tom whitewater rafting with Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger down the Mississippi. The Okee Dokee Brothers believe that music should be an energetic, interactive, and fun experience where kids can enjoy dancing, singing and playing instruments with their families.

As an independently managed band, the young duo has gained a loyal grassroots following that is drawn to their witty lyrics, off-the-wall humor, strong musicianship, and unique folk style. By appealing to the musical needs of the entire family and recognizing that kids deserve quality music, The Okee Dokee Brothers are working full-time to regain the integrity of the children’s music genre.

Somos Amigos
The Okee Dokee Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Doesn't matter if you call it
A Stetson or a sombrero
It's the hat that steers the herd
Doesn't matter if you call ‘em
Cowboys or vaqueros
The best ones keep their word
Doesn't matter if you say
Ma'am or señorita

When you're riding into the setting sun
Doesn't matter if you call it
Life or la vida
It's better when you're with someone
Somos amigos, con una distinta canción
Amigos amigos, nos queremos por esta razón
No importa si se llama
Coffee o café
Te despierta en las mañanas
No importa si se llama
Faith o la fe
Pero puede mover montañas
Doesn't matter if you call it
Flag or bandera
It just tells you where you are
Doesn't matter if you call it
Border or frontera
It disappears by strummin' a guitar
Somos amigos, con una distinta canción
Amigos amigos, nos queremos por esta razón
We're all amigos, each with a different song

Amigos, amigos, that's why we get along
Nos queremos por esta razón

Overall Meaning

The Okee Dokee Brothers' song "Somos Amigos" is a celebration of diversity and the power of friendship. The lyrics acknowledge that there may be differences between people, such as a Stetson or sombrero, cowboys or vaqueros, or different languages, but that these differences don't matter when you have a strong connection with someone. The song emphasizes that it's better to be with someone than to go through life alone, regardless of what you call things or what you believe.

The refrain "Somos amigos, con una distinta canción" translates to "We are friends, with a different song." The lines "No importa si se llama / Coffee o café / Te despierta en las mañanas" suggest that coffee, despite different names in different cultures, serves the same purpose of waking people up in the morning. Similarly, "Faith o la fe" implies that faith, regardless of religious denomination or belief system, has the power to move mountains. The song also touches on social and political issues, such as borders and flags, but suggests that music can break down barriers and bring people together.

Overall, "Somos Amigos" promotes an inclusive, open-minded approach to human connection, showing that despite our differences, we can all find common ground through friendship and mutual respect.

Line by Line Meaning

Doesn't matter if you call it
The name doesn't have any impact

A Stetson or a sombrero
These hats still serve the same purpose

It's the hat that steers the herd
This hat helps the cowboy guide the cattle

Doesn't matter if you call ‘em
The name doesn't make a difference

Cowboys or vaqueros
They both do the same job

The best ones keep their word
Honesty is crucial in this profession

Doesn't matter if you say
The words don't matter much

Ma'am or señorita
These are terms of respect for women

When you're riding into the setting sun
Enjoying the scenic views while traveling

Doesn't matter if you call it
The name doesn't matter much

Life or la vida
Both are the same as long as you're with someone