Three Souls was part of a burgeoning Mexican rock movement that had ties to rock's African American roots, the U.S. counterculture, and the then-globalizing recording industry. As rock in Mexico was originally seen as "inauthentic" when sung in Spanish, Three Souls mostly sang covers of American rock and blues songs in English. However, at the Festival de Avándaro, often called "Mexico's Woodstock", they crossed over, singing first in English, then in Spanish. From then on they recorded primarily in Spanish, writing most of their own songs. When asked why they switched to Spanish, Lora replied that it was important for the audience to understand the messages of the songs. While Three Souls had a popular following among the younger generation while singing in English, changing attitudes toward rock pushed the band to perform in the "hoyos fonquis", where the lower classes held semi-chaotic rock shows. Singing in his original language and for a new, energetic, young, and discontented audience, Lora's songs began reflecting more of the reality of the daily lives of average Mexicans, while simultaneously allowing concertgoers to forget those same troubles. Lora gave his own identity to Mexican rock & roll, becoming its emblem.
No Le Hagas Caso a Tus Papas
Three Souls in My Mind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No le hagas caso a tus papas
No le hagas caso nena,
No le hagas caso a tus papas
Pues ellos lo unico que quieren es
Lavarte el coco nada mas
El dia que te vieron conmigo,
Me mandaron avisar
La tira me iban a aventar
Por eso nena yo te digo
No le hagas a tus papas
El dia que te vieron conmigo,
Me mandaron avisar
Que si otra vez volvia a verte,
La tira me Iban a aventar
Por eso nena yo te digo
No le hagas a tus papas
Tienes que seguir mi consejo
Si a vieja tu quieres llegar
Mas sabe el diablo por viejo
Y el sabe mas que tus papas
Por eso no les hagas caso nena
Y vente conmigo a bailar
The song, "No Le Hagas Caso a Tus Papas" by Three Souls in My Mind, is about a rebellious love affair between the singer and the girl he is addressing. The title translates to "Don't Listen to Your Parents," and the lyrics encourage the girl to disobey her parents' wishes and come be with the singer instead. In the first verse, the singer tells the girl that her parents only want to brainwash her and that she should ignore their advice. He goes on to say that when her parents saw her with him, they threatened to call the police on him, which is why he warns her not to listen to them.
The second verse continues with the same theme of the parents threatening the singer and encouraging the girl to disobey their wishes. The singer claims to know what is best for her and persuades her to take his advice over her parents'. He even says that the devil knows more than her parents and suggests that she come with him to dance.
This song can be interpreted in a few different ways, but it likely resonated with young people in Mexico City in the 1970s who were seeking to rebel against their more traditional parents' values. It could be seen as a protest against social norms or a celebration of youth and rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
No le hagas caso nena,
Don't pay attention to them, babe,
No le hagas caso a tus papas
Don't listen to your parents,
Pues ellos lo unico que quieren es Lavarte el coco nada mas
Because all they want is to brainwash you,
El dia que te vieron conmigo, Me mandaron avisar
The day they saw you with me, they sent me a warning,
Que si otra vez volvia a verte, La tira me iban a aventar
That if they saw us together again, they would come after me,
Por eso nena yo te digo No le hagas a tus papas
That's why I'm telling you not to listen to your parents,
Tienes que seguir mi consejo Si a vieja tu quieres llegar
You have to follow my advice if you want to be with me,
Mas sabe el diablo por viejo Y el sabe mas que tus papas
The devil knows more because he's old and he knows more than your parents,
Por eso no les hagas caso nena Y vente conmigo a bailar
That's why you shouldn't pay attention to them, babe, and come dance with me.
Writer(s): Lora Alejandro Serna
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.