Learn Spanish With Cali Y El Dandee with these 11 Song Recommendations (Full Translations Included!)

Cali Y El Dandee
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning Spanish with Cali Y El Dandee's music is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. It is also great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning Spanish!
Below are 11 song recommendations by Cali Y El Dandee to get you started! Alongside each recommendation, you will find a snippet of the lyric translations with links to the full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs!
ARTIST BIO

Cali & El Dandee is a dynamic Colombian Latin pop and urbano duo formed by brothers Alejandro Rengifo (Cali) and Mauricio Rengifo (Dandee). Originating from Cali, Colombia, they began their musical journey in 2008 and quickly rose to prominence with hits like "Yo Te Esperaré" and "Por Fin Te Encontré," collectively amassing over a billion views on YouTube.

Apart from his role as a singer, Dandee has also made a name for himself as a producer, notably co-producing Luis Fonsi's global hit "Despacito." Signed to Universal Music Spain, the brothers have released multiple albums including their debut 3 A.M. and their latest, Malibu. Known for their infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Cali & El Dandee continue to be influential figures in Latin music, collaborating with top artists and earning numerous awards and certifications.

CONTENTS SUMMARY
Locura (Craziness)
A veces no lo entiendes, pero el tiempo vuela
Te conocí cuando estábamos en la escuela
Pasaron tantos años y aún te pienso
Besitos a escondidas a la luz de la vela
Sometimes you don't understand it, but time flies
I met you when we were in school
Many years passed and I still think of you
Hidden kisses by the candlelight

Locura invites us on a bittersweet trip down memory lane. Cali y El Dandee team up with fellow Colombian star Sebastián Yatra to tell the story of two childhood sweethearts who drift apart as the years fly by. Classrooms turn into dance floors, secret candlelit kisses become distant memories, and the lovers now find themselves separated by tiempo and orgullo (time and pride). The chorus repeats a raw confession: losing her would drive him crazy because her embrace was the only “cure” for every hurt.

Beyond its catchy pop beat, the song captures the universal ache of realizing what you had only after it is gone. Regret weighs as heavily as nostalgia, and playful metaphors—like a mirror with no reflection or Dalmatian without Ñejo—show how incomplete life feels without that missing piece. “Locura” is both a danceable anthem and a heart-tugging reminder to treasure love before it slips away.

Nada (Nothing)
Si yo te di todo y me diste nada
¿Por qué de la nada vuelves a aparecer?
Haciendo como si nada ha pasado
Devuelves el pasado y me vuelve a doler
If I gave you everything and you gave me nothing
Why out of nowhere do you reappear?
Acting like nothing has happened
You bring back the past and it hurts me again

In Nada ("Nothing"), Colombian duo Cali y El Dandee team up with Mexican star Danna Paola to turn heartbreak into a catchy pop-reggaetón showdown. The song opens with a wounded lover asking why an ex who once gave nothing has suddenly reappeared, and it quickly flips into a back-and-forth duel where both singers trade accusations, confessions, and razor-sharp one-liners. Behind the infectious beat, you’ll hear cries of "tú vas a extrañarme" (you’re going to miss me) and "fue tu culpa" (it was your fault), setting the stage for a story of betrayal, silent tears, and the triumphant decision to move on.

At its core, the track is an anthem of self-respect and empowerment. Each narrator realizes that love cannot be shared, refuses to accept half-hearted affection, and learns to let go of someone who looked for love "en otra parte". While the verses admit lingering pain and late-night temptations to call, the chorus celebrates freedom: the once-abandoned partner is now stronger, wiser, and ready to live without the weight of the past. Nada reminds listeners that sometimes giving “everything” to the wrong person still teaches the priceless lesson of valuing yourself above all.

Por Fin Te Encontré (Finally I Found You)
Si tú supieras que por ti me muero
Que yo te quiero, te quiero, te quiero, te quiero
Si tú supieras lo que te he esperado
Que yo te amo, te amo, te amo, te amo
If you knew that I die for you
That I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you
If you knew what I have waited for you
That I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you

Por Fin Te Encontré is a feel-good Latin pop anthem where three charismatic voices celebrate that magical, long-awaited moment of finding the one. Picture a lively dance floor: the narrator spots a woman who’s unexpectedly alone and thinks, “Why so sola?” From the first glance he feels a game over rush, meaning his search is finished. He confesses he has been waiting forever—“te quiero, te quiero…”—and promises melodies, sunrises, and unwavering devotion if she lets him replace her past heartbreak with new beginnings.

The song’s energy bounces between romantic sincerity and party-ready optimism. Cali y El Dandee, Juan Magán, and Sebastián Yatra weave playful flirtation with heartfelt vows, urging her to drop her guard, join the dance, and discover a love that’s loyal, uplifting, and inmortal. In short, it’s a joyful declaration that once you finally meet the right person, loneliness fades, the music turns up, and life feels like an endless sunrise together.

Yo Te Esperaré (I'll Wait For You)
Yo te esperaré
Nos sentaremos juntos frente al mar
Y de tu mano podré caminar
Y aunque se pase toda mi vida, yo te esperaré
I'll wait for you
We'll sit together in front of the sea
And hand in hand I'll be able to walk
And even if all my life passes, I'll wait for you

Imagine a twilight beach in Colombia, waves whispering secrets while a devoted lover vows: “Yo te esperar锓I will wait for you.” This pop anthem by Cali Y El Dandee paints the story of someone who let anger push love away, then spends every heartbeat hoping for a second chance. Dates like 4 de septiembre and 7 de septiembre tick by like painful calendar reminders, yet the promise never fades: the singer will sit by the sea, hand in hand, whenever their partner decides to return.

The lyrics swing between regretful flashbacks and fierce hope. We hear tears, slammed doors, and even references to war that “stole your gaze,” all wrapped in catchy melodies that make the heartbreak feel cinematic. Despite the darkness – singing “with the lights turned off” and feeling “a lifeless heart” – the chorus keeps shining: “Aunque se pase toda mi vida, yo te esperaré.” It is a pop ballad of unconditional love that refuses to surrender, reminding us that real devotion can outlast anger, distance, and even time itself.

BYL (Borracha Y Loca) (BYL (drunk And Crazy))
Sábado en la noche, mi amor
Ese cuento ya me lo sé
Sé que te pusiste a beber
Por eso estás llamando otra ve
Saturday night, babe
I already know that story
I know that you started drinking
That's why you're calling again

“BYL (Borracha Y Loca)” turns a typical Saturday night into a roller-coaster of mixed signals and late-night phone calls. The narrator knows the routine all too well: his love interest heads out, downs whiskey on the rocks, and inevitably dials his number while she’s borracha y loca—drunk and wild. He likes her, but he’s exhausted by the cycle of false hope, disappearing acts at sunrise, and apologies that never stick.

The song blends upbeat rhythms with a relatable story about toxic habits and emotional whiplash. Cali Y El Dandee capture that push-and-pull feeling of caring for someone who turns into a different person after a few drinks. With catchy hooks and playful wordplay, they warn against overindulging while highlighting the heartache of being the go-to call when the bottle is empty and the party is over.

Sirena (Mermaid)
Te apareciste esa noche
Con una rosa en el pelo
Yo lo sentí en un segundo
Me enamoré de primero
You appeared that night
With a rose in your hair
I felt it in a second
I fell in love at first

Cali y El Dandee transform heartbreak into a sea-soaked fairy-tale. In “Sirena,” the Colombian pop duo paints the moment you fall in love at first sight: a mysterious girl with a rose in her hair, silence heavy in the air, and a confession of “te quiero” that arrives too soon. The twist? She quietly admits there is “un tercero,” shattering the dream in an instant. From that second on, the singer dives into an ocean of longing, vowing to look for her in every wave, every kiss, and every melody—even if he has to imagine her lips on someone else’s mouth.

The “sirena” (mermaid) becomes his bittersweet refuge. Just like mythical sirens who lure sailors with their song, the memory of this woman keeps pulling him back, no matter how many rooms he wakes up in or how many roses wither on the pier. He convinces himself that the sea will eventually return her to him, yet he also admits he might look for her in “otra boca.” The track blends vibrant pop beats with poetic despair, creating a dance-ready anthem about trying to drown sorrow, chasing illusions, and refusing to let go of first love—even when it hurts.

19 De Abril (April 19)
Tuve mil noches de fiesta, vacié tantas copas
Tuve mil amaneceres, besos en mi boca
Tuve lo que yo quería, y aunque no lo merecía
Un 19 de abril llegaste tú
I had a thousand party nights, I emptied so many glasses
I had a thousand sunrises, kisses on my lips
I had what I wanted, and although I didn't deserve it
On April 19 you arrived

“19 De Abril” is a love-at-first-sight story dressed in pop beats and Colombian charm. The singer looks back on a wild past filled with parties, empty glasses, and fleeting kisses until one specific date flips his world: 19 April. That day, someone walks in, sings the “perfect chorus,” and suddenly night turns into dawn. The lyrics compare this new love to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation – a lifesaving breath that wakes him up and makes him want to stay rather than keep drifting through endless fiestas.

Beyond the catchy melody, the song celebrates second chances and destiny. Surviving a tough year (a fever in 2020), the narrator discovers that real purpose is not another sunrise after a party but the person who inspires him to get out of bed. 19 April becomes a personal New Year’s Day where life splits into before and after, proving that even if you think you have everything, love can still surprise you and reveal “the other half” you did not know was missing.

Un Tiempo (A Time)
Te juro que siento que ya se están acabando las opciones
Y para romper contigo hoy me sobran las razones
Pero déjame que me vaya un tiempo
Y yo sé que quizás es la rutina que nos pone en jaque mate
I swear that I feel that the options are already running out
And to break up with you today I have plenty of reasons
But let me that I leave for a while
And I know that maybe it's the routine that puts us in checkmate

Un Tiempo invites us into the heartfelt conversation of a couple who feel their relationship slipping into routine. With emotions running high, the singer suggests hitting the pause button before love turns into resentment. It is not a dramatic breakup, but rather a strategic timeout: “No es un ‘Hasta nunca’, es un ‘Hasta luego’.” By asking for a break, they hope distance will either reignite the spark or gently confirm that moving on is best.

At its core, the song explores the courage it takes to protect love from ego and monotony. Instead of clinging to a romance on autopilot, Cali y El Dandee champion an honest reset—because “nothing is lost” by trying. Listeners are reminded that sometimes stepping back is the bravest way to move forward, whether it leads to falling madly in love again or saying goodbye for good.

Como Ayer (Like Yesterday)
Quiero volver a ese día, regresar un año
Todo era alegría, no te había hecho daño
Cuanto no daría por volverte a ver, uoh
Yo a ti te conozco de antes, bebé
I want to go back to that day, go back a year
Everything was joy, I hadn't hurt you
How much I'd give to see you again, uoh
I've known you from before, babe

“Como Ayer” is a heartfelt, dance-ready plea to rewind time and revive a love that used to feel effortless. Over an infectious reggaeton-pop beat, Cali y El Dandee paint vivid memories of laughter, late-night dancing, and playful kisses, then contrast them with the ache of today’s distance. The narrator admits past mistakes, confesses he still imagines his ex’s touch every night, and offers “todo en el mundo” for just one more chance to hold her.

The song’s energy swings between nostalgia and hope: each catchy chorus invites the listener to picture a crowded dance floor where two ex-lovers lock eyes and decide to start over “como ayer.” It’s a relatable reminder that sometimes the best way to move forward is to rediscover the magic you once shared—music up, regrets down, hearts open.

La Estrategia (The Strategy)
Yo sé que nunca es bueno aparecer
Que no debo llamarla
Que debe parecer que así estoy bien
Que ya pude olvidarla
I know it's never good to show up
That I shouldn't call her
That it should seem like I'm okay like that
That I could already forget her

La Estrategia plunges us into the bittersweet mind-game of heartbreak. The Colombian duo Cali y El Dandee sing from the perspective of someone who is desperately in love yet forced to act indifferent. He crafts a “strategy”: stay silent, look happy, wait for her curiosity to spark. Underneath that cool façade, though, he is drowning in memories, replaying the night they swore to be “eternos,” and begging for any sign that she still thinks of him.

The song captures the tug-of-war between pride and longing: wanting her to miss him but, above all, wanting to hear her voice. Each verse swings between hope and sorrow, revealing how pretending not to care can hurt more than rejection itself. In short, La Estrategia is a heartfelt anthem for anyone who has ever tried to hide their love behind a clever plan, only to realize that sincerity is the only winning move.

Ay Corazón (Ay Heart)
¿Cómo le explico a mi corazón que ya tienes dueño?
¿Cómo se olvida cada recuerdo que hace llorar?
¿Cómo le digo que en el amor no valen los sueños?
¿Cómo mentirle y que no se muera si tú no estás?
How do I explain to my heart that you already have an owner?
How do you forget every memory that makes you cry?
How do I tell it that in love dreams are not worth it?
How to lie to it so it doesn't die if you're not there?

Ay Corazón taps straight into the bittersweet veins of Latin pop. In this track, Colombian duo Cali y El Dandee have a very personal chat with their own heart, almost like a best-friend pep talk after a breakup. The singer pleads, “¿Cómo le explico a mi corazón que ya tienes dueño?” showing the shock of realizing that the person he loves now belongs to someone else. Throughout the lyrics he tries every trick imaginable—logic, denial, even a catchy melody—to convince his heart to let go. Yet memories sneak back in: her dancing, her “ojos caramelo,” and the promise that never arrived.

At its core the song is a tug-of-war between reason and emotion. There is pain (“me duele verte llorar”), nostalgia (“extrañaré la forma como baila”), and a stubborn hope that music itself might bring her back. Although the heart is “prisoner” of lost love, the chorus also reminds us that “after the storm comes the calm.” So while Ay Corazón is soaked in romantic sorrow, it ultimately celebrates resilience—turning every tear into lyrics we can all sing along to, heal with, and maybe dance to under the night sky.

We have more songs with translations on our website and mobile app. You can find the links to the website and our mobile app below. We hope you enjoy learning Spanish with music!