Learn Spanish With Carlos Rivera with these 17 Song Recommendations (Full Translations Included!)

Carlos Rivera
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning Spanish with Carlos Rivera'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 17 song recommendations by Carlos Rivera 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

Carlos Augusto Rivera Guerra, born March 15, 1986, in Huamantla, Tlaxcala, Mexico, is a celebrated Mexican singer, actor, and songwriter known for his captivating voice and charismatic performances. He first gained widespread recognition after winning the third generation of the popular reality show La Academia in 2004, launching his successful music career.

Since then, Rivera has released multiple studio albums, including El Hubiera No Existe and Yo Creo, both earning gold certifications and showcasing his blend of pop and traditional Latin sounds. Beyond music, he made history as the youngest actor to star as the male lead in Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Mexico, and uniquely starred as Simba in both the Spanish and Mexican productions of The Lion King. His talent extends beyond the stage with numerous collaborations with prominent Latin artists and roles in television and film. Carlos Rivera continues to enchant audiences worldwide with his heartfelt lyrics and powerful performances.

CONTENTS SUMMARY
Te Esperaba (I Was Expecting You)
Te pedí
Con mi fuerza al universo
Te escribí en un par de versos
Que mandé volando al cielo
I asked for you
With my strength to the universe
I wrote you a couple of verses
That I sent flying to the sky

Te Esperaba is a romantic ballad where Carlos Rivera tells the story of loving someone before even meeting them. Through poetic images – writing verses to the sky, calling out with empty hugs, saving an empty spot on the bed – the singer confesses that he asked the universe for this person and carried their silhouette in his dreams. Every day he could almost feel their eyes and their soul shining from afar, so when the long-awaited arrival finally happens, he recognizes them instantly as the love he always pictured.

The song celebrates faith in destiny. Rivera admits that some might call it madness, yet he never doubted the fact that his heart was keeping a special space ready. Meeting the loved one feels like raising a long-lost flag at the end of a personal battle, turning all that hope into living, breathing love. "Te Esperaba" gently reminds us that believing in love can guide us through life’s wars until the moment when imagination and reality happily collide.

Perdiendo La Cabeza (Losing My Head)
Sigo recordando
La noche entera en la que yo te vi bailando
Lo que sentí cuando tú estabas cerquita
Y esa boquita fue mi boquita
I keep remembering
The whole night that I saw you dancing
What I felt when you were close
And that little mouth was my little mouth

Perdiendo la Cabeza is a feel good pop whirlwind that unites three Latin powerhouses: Mexico’s Carlos Rivera, U.S. chart-topper Becky G, and Puerto Rico’s Pedro Capó. From the very first line, the song rewinds to an unforgettable night on the dance floor, when a single kiss sparks a rush of chemistry that refuses to fade. Driven by bright guitars, tropical beats, and a chorus you will hum for days, the track captures that electrifying moment when attraction turns into sweet obsession.

Lyrically, the trio paints a vivid picture of “losing your head” for love. The singers can still feel their partner’s breath, taste that “boquita,” and hear their own hearts shouting for a reunion. Every verse blends longing, playful flirtation, and a touch of desperation: “Mira cómo está gritando mi corazón.” It is a celebration of passion so intense that everything else—sleep, pride, even sanity—takes a back seat until the lovers find their way back to each other.

Regrésame Mi Corazón (Give Me Back My Heart)
Qué bonito cuando me mirabas
Cuando me hablabas y decías te quiero
Qué bonito cuando despertabas
Por la madrugada, sólo con un beso
How beautiful when you looked at me
When you talked to me and said I love you
How beautiful when you woke up
In the early morning, with just a kiss

“Regrésame Mi Corazón” is a heartfelt pop ballad in which Mexican singer Carlos Rivera turns a breakup into a poetic plea. He reminisces about the sweet beginnings—loving gazes, whispered “te quiero,” and dawn-breaking kisses—then contrasts those memories with the sudden coldness of being left behind. Rather than lashing out, he simply asks for one thing: “Give me my heart back.” Rivera admits that life will continue and he will survive, yet he needs his heart returned so he can truly live again.

The song’s beauty lies in its blend of vulnerability and generosity. Even while suffering, the narrator wishes his former partner happiness, singing, “Quiero que seas feliz.” This bittersweet mix of pain, acceptance, and lingering love makes the track both relatable and uplifting, capturing that universal moment when we realize that moving on is possible—but only after we reclaim the pieces of ourselves we gave away.

Sería Más Fácil (It Would Be Easier)
Tal vez fue mi falta de tiempo
O fueron los tantos silencios
Que nunca dejamos hablar
Tal vez se cansó la paciencia
Maybe it was my lack of time
Or it was all those silences
that we never let speak
Maybe patience wore out

“Sería Más Fácil” is Carlos Rivera’s heartfelt confession about a love that slipped away while no one was looking. The Mexican crooner looks back on a relationship that was slowly eroded by silence, impatience and fear. Instead of pointing fingers, he admits that sometimes life simply runs out of time. He realizes it would be easier to blame each other or even grow to hate one another, yet the real pain lies in accepting that their carefully built dreams have come to an end.

Rivera’s lyrics capture that bittersweet moment when you see the finish line of a relationship approaching and you know you cannot stop it. The song turns the spotlight on the raw honesty of acknowledging “it wasn’t enough” and the courage it takes to say goodbye with love rather than resentment. It is a reminder that letting go can hurt more than anger ever will, but it also opens the door to healing and growth.

100 Años (100 Years)
Mírame a los ojos que te siento diferente
Tengo miedo de nosotros
Que este amor se haya gastado de repente
Vuelve a recordarme cuando todo era nuevo
Look into my eyes because I feel you're different
I'm afraid of us
That this love has suddenly worn out
Remind me again when everything was new

100 Años pairs the warm vocals of Mexican crooner Carlos Rivera with the urban charisma of Colombian star Maluma, creating a heartfelt Regional Mexican ballad that feels part mariachi serenade, part modern pop confession. The lyrics open with Rivera staring into his lover’s eyes and sensing a chilling change: “Mírame a los ojos que te siento diferente.” From that moment, the song becomes a desperate plea to rescue a love that once felt eterno but now hangs by a thread. Rivera begs for forgiveness, promises to change, and fears becoming “the first idiot” to prove that heartbreak can, in fact, last longer than a century.

Beneath the catchy guitarras and playful shout-outs to Mexico and Colombia hides a universal message: true love is rare and worth fighting for. The singers remind us that everyone makes mistakes, yet a sincere apology and willingness to grow can reignite the spark. Un amor como el nuestro vale la pena salvarlo—a love like ours is worth saving—becomes the anthem of anyone determined not to let a once-in-a-lifetime romance slip away.

Recuérdame (Remember Me)
Recuérdame, hoy me tengo que ir mi amor
Recuérdame, no llores por favor
Te llevo en mi corazón
Y cerca me tendrás
Remember me, today I have to go my love
Remember me, don't cry please
I carry you in my heart
And you will have me close

Recuérdame is a tender farewell wrapped in Mexican warmth and guitar strings. Carlos Rivera steps into the role of a loving traveler who must leave, yet he refuses to let distance dim the flame. Each line is a gentle request: “Keep me in your heart, and I’ll always be near.” The song turns absence into something magical—every strum of the guitar becomes his voice, every memory a secret bridge between two souls.

Under its lilting melody, the track teaches us that goodbyes are not endings. Rivera’s promise to sing “a solas” (in private) while dreaming of return shows that love can migrate and still stay rooted. The chorus invites listeners to replace tears with hope, to see separation as a temporary stage before the long-awaited embrace. In short, “Recuérdame” is a musical postcard: sentimental yet uplifting, reminding us that remembrance can shorten any journey.

Para Ti (For You)
Cuando no hubo nadie que escuchara mi dolor
Cuando vino el frío congelando mi valor
Cuando ya era tarde hasta para rendirme
Llegó tu mirada
When there was nobody that listened to my pain
When the cold came freezing my courage
When it was already late even to give up
Your gaze arrived

Para Ti by Mexican singer Carlos Rivera is a radiant love letter of gratitude and devotion. The lyrics paint a before-and-after picture: the narrator was trapped in loneliness and self-doubt, “cuando no hubo nadie que escuchara mi dolor,” until the simple power of a caring gaze thawed his frozen courage. From that moment on, every heartbeat, dream and song belongs to the person who rescued him. The chorus is a joyful pledge that everything he achieves—his emotions, music and successes—will be dedicated para ti.

The second half flips the script: now that he has been saved, he promises to return the favor in full. Rivera dreams of showering his partner with everyday wonders, from “the best breakfasts” to trips around the world, and protecting them from doubt and sadness. In essence, the song says: you gave me back my will to live, so my life is now yours to celebrate. Warm, uplifting and deeply romantic, Para Ti reminds us how transformative genuine love and appreciation can be.

Me Muero (I'm Dying)
Me muero por robarte un beso
Y porque pierda la razón
Tal vez así me atrevería
Y pierda miedo el corazón
I'm dying to steal a kiss from you
And so that I lose my mind
Maybe that way I'd dare
And may the heart lose its fear

"Me Muero" is a heartfelt declaration of love that treats passion like the ultimate adventure. Carlos Rivera sings about craving a single kiss so much he could “die,” yet he also wants to savor every moment without rushing. The lyrics paint love as a journey where losing your mind is welcome, fear melts away, and the goal is simple: enjoy life side by side while soaking up each instant.

The song then turns dreamy and almost timeless. Rivera imagines crossing the limits of time, stuffing every memory with the sight of his partner’s eyes under a full moon, and even asking God to stretch the clock into eternity. Repeating that if he must die, let it be from loving you, he turns mortality into the sweetest pledge. It is a romantic Mexican ballad that invites listeners to live slowly, love boldly, and make every heartbeat count.

Otras Vidas (Other Lives)
No sé qué es lo que hice en otras vidas
A quién tuve que salvar para que me salvaras tú?
Tal vez curé en la guerra mil heridas
Para que hoy en tus brazos encontrara la quietud
I don't know what I did in other lives
Who did I have to save so that you would save me?
Maybe I healed a thousand wounds in the war
So that today in your arms I'd find peace

Imagine feeling so lucky in love that you start wondering if the universe has been planning it for centuries. That’s exactly the vibe of “Otras Vidas” by Mexican singer-songwriter Carlos Rivera. Through heartfelt questions—“What did I do in other lives? Who did I save so you could save me?”—Rivera paints a picture of a love so profound it must be a reward earned long ago. He peppers the song with vivid symbols:

battlefield wounds healed → finding calm in a partner’s arms • water in the desert → a lover who brings you back to life

In every line he marvels at destiny, crediting a higher power for crossing their paths and showering the chorus with gratitude.

Ultimately, “Otras Vidas” is an ode to the mystery of soulmates. It captures that dizzying moment when you look at someone and think, “Whatever I did to deserve you, thank heaven I did it.” Rivera’s soaring vocals and poetic Spanish lyrics turn this simple thank-you into a cosmic love letter, reminding us that the greatest miracles can feel both predestined and brand-new.

Grito De Guerra (War Cry)
Las palabras amargadas, los silencios olvidados
Las mentiras que dijeron, por robarse unos pedazos
Cuanta tierra levantaron, por mostrarnos su grandeza
Lo que de verdad lograron, fue que nos dieran tristeza
The bitter words, the forgotten silences
The lies they told, to steal some pieces
How much land they raised, to show us their greatness
What they truly achieved, was to make us sad

Grito De Guerra (War Cry) is Carlos Rivera’s rousing shout-out against injustice. Over stomping rhythms and fiery vocals, he calls out the “cobardes” who rule with lies, steal “pedazos” of people’s lives, and pretend to be eternal. Rivera lists their offenses—bitter words, forgotten silences, raised dust meant to show off their “greatness”—then flips the script: they only managed to spread sadness. Yet even after “they’ve taken everything,” one treasure remains untouchable: hope that things will change.

The song salutes everyday heroes who wake up early, kiss loved ones goodbye, make wishes over a candle, and head to work—all things the powerful can’t understand because they’ve forgotten how to smile. With the promise that “what goes up must come down,” Rivera invites listeners to stand firm, eyes wide open, ready to witness the downfall of corrupt rulers. It’s both a protest anthem and an uplifting reminder that collective resilience can topple any false empire—one united war cry at a time.

¿Cómo Pagarte? (How To Pay You?)
¿Quién eres?
Tanto busqué
Cuanto encontré
Tanto perdí
Who are you?
I searched so much
How much I found
I lost so much

¿Cómo Pagarte? is Carlos Rivera’s heartfelt thank-you note set to music. After wandering through a maze of amores y desamores, the singer finally meets someone who heals the emptiness in his soul and replaces fear with joy. Over sweeping melodies, he marvels at this partner’s kindness—“Llegas a mí para sanarme… quitás mis miedos”—and feels overwhelmed by the urge to give something equally magnificent in return, even dreaming of plucking a star from the sky as a gift.

At its core, the song is a celebration of transformative love and deep gratitude. Rivera asks again and again, “¿Cómo he de pagarte por tanto amarme?”, admitting that no earthly gesture seems large enough. His repeated “Perdón” is not an apology for wrongdoing, but a humble acknowledgment that a lifetime may be too short to repay such boundless affection. The track invites listeners to reflect on their own cherished relationships and the beautiful impossibility of fully repaying true love.

Sincerándome (Being Honest)
Puede que no sea el romántico que te imaginas
Y a veces no ser feliz aunque sonría
Puede que me cueste aceptar
Que a veces tengo miedo a enfrentar
It may be that I'm not the romantic you imagine
And sometimes I'm not happy even though I smile
It may be that it's hard for me to accept
That sometimes I'm afraid to face

Sincerándome is a candid self-confession, almost like reading Carlos Rivera’s diary out loud. The Mexican singer admits he is not always the picture-perfect romantic hero people expect. Behind the polite smiles live doubt, fear, and the heavy backpack of “always having to be the best.” Throughout the lyrics he peels away those masks, confessing that sometimes he wants to run, sometimes he wants to shout back at the world’s hypocrisy, and—most importantly—he wants to be honest with himself.

Rather than a traditional love song, this track is a liberating anthem about embracing your own imperfections. Rivera reminds us that showing vulnerability is not weakness, it is courage. By repeating “Voy sincerándome,” he invites listeners to drop their own façades, face the past without shame, and discover the relief that comes with authenticity.

Gracias A Ti (Thank You)
Todo lo intenté, hasta el alma me jugué
Y casi perdía, casi perdía
Y me acostumbré a esa forma de querer
Pero no sentía, no sentía
I tried everything, I even gambled my soul
And I almost lost, almost lost
And I got used to that way of loving
But I felt nothing, felt nothing

Gracias A Ti is Carlos Rivera’s heartfelt love letter to the person who rescued him from emotional numbness. The lyrics paint a before-and-after picture: once he was gambling with his very soul and growing used to an empty kind of love; then, almost like fate crossing the street, he met someone who reignited his ilusión. Suddenly he can dream wide-awake, feel life’s thrill again, and even believe he can touch the sky as long as that special someone is near.

More than a romantic ballad, the song is an anthem of gratitude and renewal. Rivera thanks his partner for giving him the courage to believe in something he cannot yet see and for proving that every struggle was worth it. It reminds listeners that the right person—or even the right moment—can restore hope, inspire bravery, and make all the past doubts “vale la pena,” totally worth the ride.

La Luna Del Cielo (The Moon Of Heaven)
Preguntas porqué, te doy tanto amor
Y me sonríes con gesto de emoción
Verte feliz es todo para mi
Eres tan buena, quiero aprender de ti
You ask why I give you so much love
And you smile at me with an emotional gesture
Seeing you happy is everything for me
You are so good, I want to learn from you

“La Luna Del Cielo” is a tender pledge of eternal closeness. Carlos Rivera sings from the heart of someone who loves so much that even distance cannot dim the bond. He tells his beloved: “When you leave, promise me you will become the moon in the sky.” The moon becomes a dazzling symbol of presence, a nightly reminder that love can travel far beyond sight. Whenever the wind brushes past, he imagines it as her hug, and he promises to stay strong, live by her teachings, and repeat her prayers.

In just a few verses the song mixes warmth, gratitude, and a quiet courage to face separation. It encourages listeners to believe that real affection never disappears, it simply finds new ways to shine. With its soothing melody and poetic imagery, the track turns saying goodbye into a beautiful, hopeful ritual of looking up at the night sky and feeling love glow back.

Voy A Amarte (I'm Going To Love You.)
Cada día que pasa lloro tu nombre
Cada noche soy oscuridad
Dime como hago para respirar
Dime como hago para hablar
Every day that passes I cry your name
Every night I'm darkness
Tell me how I can breathe
Tell me how I can speak

“Voy A Amarte” is Carlos Rivera’s heartfelt pledge of unwavering devotion. Sung from the perspective of someone separated from the person he loves, the lyrics overflow with longing: every day he cries her name, every night he is darkness itself. Simple questions like “How do I breathe?” and “How do I speak?” paint a vivid picture of how incomplete life feels without her. These lines make the listener feel the weight of distance and the urgency of his desire to reunite.

Yet the song is also a promise of renewal and transformation. Rivera vows that when he returns, the flowers in her garden will bloom again, symbolizing a fresh start for their love. He is ready to give up everything he once was and stay by her side until the end. “Voy A Amarte” (I’m going to love you) becomes a declaration that love can outlast loneliness, distance, and time—turning separation into hope and commitment into action.

Solo Tú (Only You)
Sé que a veces soy difícil de entender
Que puedo lastimarte sin querer
Sabes bien, sin querer
Yo que tanto te he intentado proteger
I know that sometimes I'm hard to understand
That I can hurt you unintentionally
You know well, unintentionally
I, who have tried so hard to protect you

“Solo Tú” is Carlos Rivera’s tender love letter to the person who brightens his world. Over a warm, romantic melody, the Mexican singer admits he can be “difícil de entender” and might hurt his partner without meaning to. Still, every line pulses with his determination to protect, cherish, and repay the boundless affection he has received. Rivera paints himself as both flawed and devoted, a would-be hero who finds real strength only when guided by his lover’s light.

The chorus glows with gratitude: —and only you—illuminate his heart, inspire his dreams, and return the very “fuerza” that lets him love so deeply. By the end of the song, we feel the simple yet powerful truth Rivera celebrates: genuine love is not about perfection, it is about two people uplifting each other through tenderness, patience, and the everyday magic of waking up side by side.

Quedarme Aquí (Staying Here)
Sabes no resisto, mi paciencia acabará
Tengo que estar contigo
Tienes que dejarme entrar
Sólo debo soñar, sólo puedo pensar
You know I can't resist, my patience will end
I have to be with you
You have to let me in
I just have to dream, I can only think

In "Quedarme Aquí," Mexican artist Carlos Rivera wears his heart on his sleeve, turning raw desire into a romantic tornado. The singer can’t stop day-dreaming about his loved one’s lips, and his patience is running out. Every line pulses with urgency: he wants to slip past all doubts, steal their heart, and become the only presence "living among their kisses."

The chorus paints three vivid wishes that feel like a love manifesto. He longs to be 1) the exclusive keeper of their kisses, 2) the hurricane that travels across their body, and 3) the long-sought other half completing their soul. All he asks in return is a single word: “Sí.” Say yes, and he’ll stay forever; hesitate, and destiny might pull them apart. The song’s energy is equal parts passionate plea and confident promise, making it an irresistible ode to love that refuses to be quiet.

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!