Celia Cruz is so popular around the world, that you’ve probably heard one of her songs in a movie, a commercial or at a restaurant even if you haven’t realized it.
Although she passed away in 2003, she’s still alive in the hearts of millions of Spanish speakers who continue to dance inspired by her music. She had a joyful heart and loved smiling wherever she went. She was a tornado of positive energy who enjoyed inspiring others.
Today, we will go over one of her most famous songs.
On this page, you’ll find a video you can use to listen to the song. Here’s the process I suggest you follow:
Step 1:
Play the song and listen to it WITHOUT reading the lyrics. Try to understand as much as possible.
Step 2:
Play the song again, and read the lyrics in Spanish only.
Step 3:
Play the song again, and pause it when needed in order to read the lyrics in Spanish and English when it’s required.
Step 4:
Play the song one more time, try to understand as much as possible and compare it with your first try.
Step 5:
Continue listening to the same song at least 1 time per day for a week so you can continue to practice your Spanish comprehension skills (and your dance moves!)
Here’s Celia:
And here are the lyrics in Spanish and English:
La Vida es un Carnaval (Life is a Carnival)
Todo aquel
Anyone who
Que piense que la vida es desigual
Who thinks that life is unequal
Tiene que saber que no es así
Has to know it’s not like that
Que la vida es una hermosura
That life is a beauty
Hay que vivirla
It must be lived
Todo aquel
Anyone who
Que piense que está solo y que está mal
Who thinks they’re alone and not well
Tiene que saber que no es así
Has to know it’s not like that
Que en la vida no hay nadie solo
That in life no one is alone
Siempre hay alguien
There is always someone
Ay, no hay que llorar (No hay que llorar)
Oh, no crying (no crying)
Que la vida es un carnaval
That life is a carnival
Que es más bello vivir cantando
That it is more beautiful to live singing
Oh oh oh ay, no hay que llorar (No hay que llorar)
Oh oh oh ay, no crying (no crying)
Que la vida es una carnaval
That life is a carnival
Y las penas se van cantando
And the sorrows go away by singing
Oh oh oh ay, no hay que llorar (No hay que llorar)
Oh oh oh ay, no crying (no crying)
Que la vida es un carnaval
That life is a carnival
Que es más bello vivir cantando
That it is more beautiful to live singing
Oh oh oh ay, no hay que llorar (No hay que llorar)
Oh oh oh ay, no crying (no crying)
Que la vida es un carnaval
That life is a carnival
Y las penas se van cantado
And the sorrows go away by singing
Todo aquel
Everyone who
Que piense que la vida siempre es cruel
Who things that life is always cruel
Tiene que saber que no es así
Must know it’s not like that
Que tan solo hay momentos malos
That there are only bad times
Y todo pasa
And everything goes away
Todo aquel
Everyone who
Que piense que esto nunca va cambiar
Who thinks this will never change
Tiene que saber que no es así
You have to know it’s not like that
Que al mal tiempo, buena cara
That in bad times, you keep a good face
Y todo cambia
And everything changes
Ay, no hay que llorar (No hay que llorar)
Oh, no crying (no crying)
Que la vida es un carnaval
That life is a carnival
Que es más bello vivir cantando
That it is more beautiful to live singing
Oh oh oh ay, no hay que llorar (No hay que llorar)
Oh oh oh ay, no crying (no crying)
Que la vida es una carnaval
That life is a carnival
Y las penas se van cantando
And the sorrows go away by singing
Oh oh oh ay, no hay que llorar (No hay que llorar)
Oh oh oh ay, no crying (no crying)
Que la vida es un carnaval
That life is a carnival
Que es más bello vivir cantando
That it is more beautiful to live singing
Oh oh oh ay, no hay que llorar (No hay que llorar)
Oh oh oh ay, no crying (no crying)
Que la vida es un carnaval
That life is a carnival
And the sorrows are sung
And the sorrows go away by singing
es para reír
it’s something to laugh about
(No hay que llorar) para gozar
(You don’t have to cry) to enjoy
(Carnaval) para disfrutar
(Carnival) to enjoy
(Hay que vivir cantando)
(You have to live singing)
(Carnaval) la vida es un carnaval
(Carnival) life is a carnival
(No hay que llorar) todos podemos cantar
(No need to cry) we can all sing
(Carnaval) ay señores
(Carnival) oh gentlemen
(Hay que vivir cantando)
(You have to live singing)
(Carnaval) todo aquel que piense
(Carnival) everyone who thinks
(No hay que llorar) que la vida es cruel
(There is no need to cry) that life is cruel
(Carnaval) nunca estará solo
(Carnival) will never be alone
(Hay que vivir cantando) Dios está con él
(You have to live singing) God is with him
Para aquellos que se quejan tanto (bua)
For those who complain so much (bua)
Para aquellos que solo critican (bua)
For those who only criticize (bua)
Para aquellos que usan las armas (bua)
For those who use weapons (bua)
Para aquellos que nos contaminen (bua)
For those who contaminate us (bua)
Para aquellos que hacen la guerra (bua)
For those who make war (bua)
Para aquellos que viven pecando (bua)
For those who live sinning (bua)
Para aquellos que nos maltratan (bua)
For those who mistreat us (bua)
Para aquellos que nos contagian (bua)
For those who infect us (bua)
I hope you had fun with this song. Please share this article with your friends on social media so they can also practice their Spanish.
…and as Celia would say:
¡¡¡AZÚCAR!!!
Today we will use a couple of great commercials by Coca-Cola as tools to practice the Spanish. Are you ready to get started? This is how the activity works: 
There are many ways to practice Spanish, and when it comes to finding entertaining ways to do it.
