I often find that when I attempt to convey my thoughts, feelings, and emotions in Spanish, the expressions appear to be more heartfelt. I really appreciate listening to music in Spanish because I believe that the feelings the songs attempt to convey are by far more profound than what any song in English could ever come up with. The love songs are invoked with passion, but not every love song has a positive message behind it.
      When I first heard “Malo” by Bebe, I was taken aback by the powerful emotions the performer conveys. The song is about a woman who has been a victim of domestic violence and now feels empowered to overpower her abuser. The tone of the performer first reflects lament, but the bridge of the song reveals a change in tone in which the performer begins to echo courage and strength. My favorite part of the song is the chorus because the woman realizes that she no longer has to be a victim, that she does not deserve to be mistreated, and that she can rise against her oppressor. Take a listen:

      The narrator of the song begins by describing the kind of relationship she shares with her partner. She lives in fear, desperate for relief from the abuse she continues to withstand. She pleads to him, asking him to keep his voice down so that it will not wake the children from their sleep. She begs to him, asking him to stop hurting her. She is left alone for a moment, so she begins to reflect on their relationship: She is anxious when he is home, and she is relieved when he is not. She has become worn-out with time, and she recognizes that it is because of how he has treated her.
      The narrator then allows us to peer into her thoughts. She has become resentful, and she vows that she will find the courage to one day finally stand up to her partner. She wonders if he finds empowerment in his actions. Does it make him feel more like a man? She challenges him, and she feels empowered enough to raise her own voice against his.

            Voy a volverme cómo el fuego, voy a quemar tus puños de acero
            y del morado de mis mejillas saldrá el valor para cobrarme las heridas.
            Malo, malo, malo eres, no se daña a quien se quiere, no!
            Tonto, tonto, tonto eres, no te pienses mejor que las mujeres!

      The narrator shares a lot of the same experiences as the mother from Las Hijas de Juan: Daughters Betrayed by Josie Mendez-Negrete. The mother puts up with the father’s abuse for several years before finally deciding to take a stand for her daughters. Mendez-Negrete’s story is one in which oppression, abuse, and shame are blanketed by a system of patriarchy that has devalued the experiences of the female characters. Much like this song, Mendez-Negrete’s novel has become a means through which the female characters can come to terms with their abuser’s legacy.
      The complete lyrics to “Malo” by Bebe from her debut album Pafuera Telarañas (2004) can be found here .