La Moto – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Los Bravos

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the vibrant spirit of youth and the universal dream of freedom with "La Moto" by Los Bravos. This iconic 1966 track not only offers a catchy pop-rock sound but also a narrative that resonates with the desire for independence and adventure, making it a great song to explore the Spanish language and culture.

[English]

I want a motorcycle

that can help me run fast

and I want a T-shirt

that has the number 100.

And go uh uh

to reach any place,

to arrive, look around, and go back.

I don't want a bicycle,

I don't like pedaling,

nor a cart

because it's so slow.

I want uh uh

...

a big motorcycle that runs just

like a spaceship rocket.

What I lack is a card

to ride around,

so I’ll get a ticket,

I’ll have to take a test.

I’ll do uh uh,

and they’ll be speechless

and they'll congratulate me.

...

But how am I going to buy

the motorcycle,

if I don’t have a penny

and I don’t know how to save.

I want uh uh

...

a big motorcycle that runs just

like a spaceship rocket.

I’ll do uh uh, uh uh...

...

[Spanish]

Quiero una motocicleta

que me sirva pa correr

y quiero una camiseta

que tenga el número 100.

Y hacer uh uh

poder llegar a cualquier lugar,

llegar, mirar y regresar.

Yo no quiero bicicleta,

no me gusta pedalear,

ni tampoco una carreta

por lo despacio que va.

Quiero uh uh

una gran moto que corra igual

que un cohete espacial.

Yo lo que no tengo es tarjeta

para poder circular,

pues vaya una papeleta,

me tendré que examinar.

Haré uh uh,

se quedará sin poder hablar

y me felicitará.

Pero la motocicleta

cómo la voy a comprar,

si no tengo una peseta

y no sé cómo ahorrar.

Quiero uh uh

una gran moto que corra igual

que un cohete espacial.

Haré uh uh, uh uh...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
motocicleta /motoθiˈkleta/ A2	noun - motorcycle
correr /koˈreɾ/ A2	verb - to run
camiseta /kamiˈseta/ A1	noun - t-shirt
número /ˈnu.meɾo/ A1	noun - number
hacer /aˈθeɾ/ A2	verb - to do, to make
llegar /ʝeˈɣaɾ/ A2	verb - to arrive
mirar /miˈɾaɾ/ A2	verb - to look at, to watch
regresar /reɣɾeˈsaɾ/ B1	verb - to return
bicicleta /biθiˈkleta/ A2	noun - bicycle
pedalear /pedoˈle.aɾ/ B1	verb - to pedal
carreta /kaˈreta/ A2	noun - cart, wagon
papeleta /papɛˈleta/ B2	noun - ticket, ballot
examen /eksaˈmen/ B1	noun - exam, test
felicitar /feliθiˈtaɾ/ B2	verb - to congratulate
peseta /peˈseta/ B1	noun - former Spanish currency
ahorrar /aˈɔɾaɾ/ B2	verb - to save (money)

Key Grammar Structures

• yo no quiero bicicleta

  ➔ Use of 'no' for negation + verb in present tense

  ➔ 'No' before the verb negates the action

• quiero una motocicleta

  ➔ Use of 'quiero' (I want) + noun to express desire

  ➔ 'Quiero' is the first person singular of 'querer', meaning 'I want'

• que tenga el número 100

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive 'tenga' after 'que' to express desire or wish

  ➔ 'Tenga' is in the subjunctive mood, used here to express wishes or desires

• haré uh uh

  ➔ Futur simple tense 'haré' (I will do)

  ➔ 'Hare' is the first person singular of the verb 'hacer' in future tense, meaning 'I will do'

• me tendré que examinar

  ➔ Use of reflexive 'me tendré que' + infinitive to express obligation or necessity

  ➔ 'Me tendré que' is the future tense form of 'tener que', meaning 'I will have to', indicating obligation

• que no tengo una peseta

  ➔ Use of 'que' + present tense 'tengo' (I have) to state possession or condition

  ➔ 'Tengo' is the first person singular present tense of 'tener', meaning 'I have'