La Paga feels like a fiery diary entry set to an infectious Latin-rock groove. Juanes tells the story of someone who has poured heart and soul into a relationship only to discover it was built on empty promises. From the very first “Ayer me dijiste que tú me querías” we hear shock, pain, and frustration collide. The repetition of “mentira” hammers home just how many false hopes the singer has swallowed, while the vibrant guitars and percussion keep the song defiantly upbeat. It is the musical equivalent of shouting “¡Basta ya!” and then dancing the hurt away.
The title literally means “the payment.” Throughout the chorus Juanes warns, “Si tú me pagas con eso, yo ya no te doy más de esto amor”—if you compensate my love with lies, you will get no more of it. In Colombia that phrase captures the idea of emotional payback: what you give is what you get. Juanes flips the script by valuing honesty over romance, teaching listeners that self-respect can be as catchy as any pop hook. When the song ends, the beat lingers, and so does the lesson: true love must be paid for in truth, not in “mentiras.”
Juanes, born Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez on August 9, 1972, in Medellín, Colombia, is a celebrated Colombian musician and singer known for blending rock with Latin pop and traditional Colombian rhythms. Beginning his career in 1988 with the rock band Ekhymosis, Juanes launched a highly successful solo career in 2000 with his debut album Fíjate Bien, which earned him three Latin Grammy Awards.
Over the years, Juanes has sold over 15 million records worldwide and won 26 Latin Grammy Awards along with three Grammy Awards, establishing him as one of the best-selling Latin music artists. His international hit "La Camisa Negra" from the album Mi Sangre is widely recognized. Beyond music, Juanes is also noted for his humanitarian efforts, especially aiding Colombian victims of anti-personnel mines through his foundation, Fundación Mi Sangre.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Juanes continues to create impactful music that resonates with audiences around the world while promoting peace and social change.