Curtis – English Lyrics

• By: Babasónicos
• Album: Infame

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the evocative world of Babasónicos with "Curtis," a powerful Argentine rock track perfect for language learners. Its rich, introspective lyrics offer a unique opportunity to explore Spanish vocabulary related to desire, independence, and the complexities of modern relationships. The song’s poetic defiance and emotional depth make it a special piece for understanding cultural nuances and everyday expressions in Spanish, especially those pertaining to romantic encounters and personal freedom.

[English]

No me des permiso

No me adviertas no poder

Con tus compromisos

Y tu ayer

No nos conocemos tanto

No hemos compartido todo

Ni siquiera tenemos

Amigos en común

Para enamorarme

No necesito tu consentimiento

Dame un solo beso

Que dure más que una mentira

Nena, algo me intriga mucho

De eso presumo saber

Y si acaso curtimos

Sé que nos vamos a entender

Para enamorarme

No necesito tu consentimiento

Dame un solo beso

Que dure más que una mentira

Quizás esto se me pase mañana (obvio sé que es estar enamorado)

Porque así no es el amor (no es el amor)

Ya lo sé

Para enamorarme

No necesito tu consentimiento

Dame un solo beso

Que dure más que una mentira

Para enamorarme

No necesito tu consentimiento

Dame un solo beso

Que dure más que una mentira dicha

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
permiso /peɾˈmiso/ B1	noun - permission, authorization
advertir /adˈbeɾtiɾ/ B2	verb - to warn, to notice
compromiso /kompɾoˈmiso/ B1	noun - commitment, obligation, engagement
ayer /aˈʝeɾ/ A2	noun - yesterday
conocer /konoˈseɾ/ A2	verb - to know (someone), to meet
compartir /kompaɾˈtiɾ/ B1	verb - to share
amigo /aˈmiɣo/ A1	noun - friend
enamorar /enamoˈɾaɾ/ B2	verb - to fall in love, to make someone fall in love
necesitar /neseˈsitaɾ/ A2	verb - to need
consentimiento /konsentiˈmjento/ C1	noun - consent, approval
durar /duˈɾaɾ/ B1	verb - to last, to endure
mentira /menˈtiɾa/ B1	noun - lie, falsehood
intrigar /intɾiˈɣaɾ/ C1	verb - to intrigue, to arouse curiosity
presumir /pɾesumiɾ/ B2	verb - to presume, to boast
entender /entɛnˈdeɾ/ A2	verb - to understand
pasar /paˈsaɾ/ A2	verb - to pass, to happen
amor /aˈmoɾ/ A1	noun - love

Key Grammar Structures

• No me des permiso

  ➔ Negative imperative with object pronoun

  ➔ "No me des" means “don’t give me.” Negative commands use the subjunctive form of the verb.

• Ni siquiera tenemos amigos en común

  ➔ Double negation with 'ni siquiera'

  ➔ 'Ni siquiera' intensifies the negation, meaning “not even.”

• Para enamorarme no necesito tu consentimiento

  ➔ Infinitive clause expressing purpose with 'para'

  ➔ 'Para enamorarme' means “in order to fall in love.” The infinitive shows purpose.

• Dame un solo beso

  ➔ Affirmative imperative with pronoun attached

  ➔ 'Dame' is 'da' (give) + 'me' (to me). In affirmative imperatives, pronouns attach to the verb.

• Que dure más que una mentira

  ➔ Subjunctive subordinate clause of desire or possibility

  ➔ 'Que dure' uses subjunctive because it expresses hope or uncertainty (“may it last”).

• Nena, algo me intriga mucho

  ➔ Indirect object pronoun with emotion verb

  ➔ 'Me intriga' = “It intrigues me.” The subject is implicit (“algo”), and the pronoun marks who feels the emotion.

• Sé que nos vamos a entender

  ➔ Periphrastic future with 'ir a' + infinitive

  ➔ 'Nos vamos a entender' = “We are going to understand each other.” 'Ir a' expresses near future intention.

• Quizás esto se me pase mañana

  ➔ Reflexive and dative pronouns for emotional change

  ➔ 'Se me pase' literally “it passes itself to me,” meaning “I might get over it.” Combined pronouns show emotional perspective.