Con Altura by Rosalía Lyrics Meaning – Soaring High with Cultural Resonance and Rebellious Spirit
Lyrics
El dembow lo canto con hondura
Dicen una estrella, una figura
De Héctor aprendí la sabrosura
Nunca he visto una joya tan pura
Esto es pa’ que quede, lo que yo hago dura (con altura)
Demasia’ noche’ de travesura (con altura)
Vivo rápido y no tengo cura (con altura)
Iré joven pa’ la sepultura (con altura)
Esto es pa’ que quede, lo que yo hago dura (con altura)
Demasia’ noche’ de travesura (con altura)
Vivo rápido y no tengo cura (con altura)
Iré joven pa’ la sepultura (con altura)
Pongo rosas sobre el Panamera (brrum)
Pongo palmas sobre la guantanamera
Llevo a Camarón en la guantera (de la Isla)
Lo hago pa’ mi gente y lo hago a mi manera
Flores azules y quilates
Y si es mentira, que me maten
Flores azules y quilates
Y si es mentira, que me maten
(Con altura)
(Con altura)
Esto es pa’ que quede, lo que yo hago dura (con altura)
Demasia’ noche’ de travesura (con altura)
Vivo rápido y no tengo cura (con altura)
Iré joven pa’ la sepultura (con altura)
Esto es pa’ que quede, lo que yo hago dura (con altura)
Demasia’ noche’ de travesura (con altura)
Vivo rápido y no tengo cura (con altura)
Iré joven pa’ la sepultura (con altura)
Acá en la altura están fuertes los vientos (wu)
Ponte el cinturón y coge asiento
A tu jeva ya la vi por dentro (yes)
El dinero nunca pierde tiempo (no, no)
Contra la pared (tú lo sabe’)
Y le tuve que comprar un trago porque la tenías con sed
Desde acá qué rico se ve
No soy Sky pero rompí el bajo otra vez (mira)
Flores azules y quilates (Rosalía)
Y si es mentira que me maten (J Balvin)
Flores azules y quilates
Y si es mentira, que me maten
(Con altura)
(Con altura)
Esto es pa’ que quede, lo que yo hago dura (con altura)
Demasia’ noche’ de travesura (con altura)
Vivo rápido y no tengo cura (con altura)
Iré joven pa’ la sepultura (con altura)
Esto es pa’ que quede, lo que yo hago dura (siempre dura, dura)
Demasia’ noche’ de travesura (con altura)
Vivo rápido y no tengo cura (con altura, ajá)
Iré joven pa’ la sepultura (con altura)
J Balvin
La Rosalía
Vamo’
Vamo’ a-a, vamo’ a perdenos (pa’ que quede)
Va-va-vamo’ a perdenos pa que no haya duda (pa’, pa’ que quede) (con altura)
Va-va-vamo’, vamo’ a perdenos (pa’, pa’, pa’ que quede) (con altura)
Tengo ese dembow, ten-ten
Vamo’, vamo’, vamo’ (lo que yo hago dura)
Vamo’ a-a, vamo’ a perdenos (pa’ que quede) (con altura)
Va-va-vamo’ a perdenos pa’ que (pa’ que quede) (con altura)
Va-va, vamo’ a perdenos (pa’, pa’, pa’ que quede) (con altura)
Tengo ese dembow, ten-ten
Vamo’, vamo’ a perdenos (lo que yo hago dura)
Grammy award-winning artist Rosalía has sailed to the zenith of the music industry with her transcendent blend of traditional flamenco and urban rhythms. ‘Con Altura,’ a collaboration with reggaeton superstar J Balvin, reverberates with an eclectic mix of sounds that pay homage to her roots while infusing the contemporary reggaeton beats that get the world dancing. Beyond the infectious hooks and beats, the lyrics carry a kaleidoscope of meanings that weave together a narrative of pride, tradition, and youthful defiance.
Packed with vivid symbols and cultural touchstones, ‘Con Altura’ embodies the spirit of a generation unafraid to live at full throttle. The track is not just a musical composition; it’s a cultural phenomenon, intertwining the fabrics of Rosalía’s Spanish heritage with the global resonance of reggaeton. In this article, we decode the meanings and the significance hidden within the sultry beats and the bravado of ‘Con Altura.’
The Rhythmic Tapestry of Heritage and Reggaeton
Rosalía’s ‘Con Altura’ skillfully marries the pulsating bass of reggaeton with the soulful depth of flamenco. The reference to ‘el dembow,’ the rhythmic pattern fundamental to reggaeton, signals her adept fusion of genres. When she sings about her craft resonating ‘con hondura’—a wordplay on ‘altura’ (height) and ‘hondura’ (depth)—she is speaking of the profound cultural richness of her music which rises to new heights while remaining grounded in its depth.
By invoking the memory of Héctor Lavoe, a seminal figure in Salsa music, she marks her territory in the ecosystem of Latin sounds. Rosalía is not just riding the reggaeton wave; she is steering it with a unique finesse that acknowledges the past as it launches into the future.
An Ode to Fearless Youth and Vitality
The chorus thumps with a pulsating declaration of living life to the fullest: ‘Vivo rápido y no tengo cura’ (I live fast and have no cure). It is a rebel yell, embracing the fast-paced, ephemeral nature of youth. ‘Iré joven pa’ la sepultura’ (I will go young to the grave), is not so much morbid as it is a testament to the fervency with which Rosalía and her contemporaries intend to live their lives.
The energy in the lyrics is palpable; they capture the zeitgeist of a generation that wants to make its mark ‘con altura,’ leaving an imprint that stands the test of time, symbolizing not only the physical highs that fame can reach but the lingering impact that one’s actions and art can leave behind.
The Symbolism in ‘Flores Azules y Quilates’
Rosalía’s mention of ‘Blue flowers and carats’ conveys a duality of beauty and value that transcends the literal. Blue flowers are rare and often symbolize the longing for the unattainable, while carats measure the purity and worth of precious stones—an apt metaphor for the rare and pure artistic expression that Rosalía delivers.
The line ‘Y si es mentira, que me maten’ (And if it’s a lie, let them kill me) speaks to the authenticity she stakes her life on. It is a bold statement of artistic integrity—a vow that what she presents to the world is as genuine as it is precious.
The Hidden Meaning Behind ‘Con Altura’
‘Con Altura’ is both a physical and metaphorical space where Rosalía situates herself above the status quo. The repeated phrase serves as a mantra of personal and professional elevation. The ‘heights’ are where the winds are strong, and one has to be strapped in—perhaps a metaphor for the turbulent, high-stakes life of an artist in the public eye.
This elevation is not solely of status but also of spirit. To speak with ‘altura’ implies speaking with respect and integrity. Rosalía is not merely existing in this elevated space; she is creating it, shaping the cultural landscape ‘a su manera’ (her own way).
Memorable Lines that Resonate Across Borders
‘De Héctor aprendí la sabrosura’ (From Hector, I learned the flavor) is a standout line that roots Rosalía’s artistry in the tradition of Latin music legends like Héctor Lavoe. It’s a respectful nod and a bold claim to her rightful place in the legacy of influential Latinx artists.
Likewise, ‘Tengo ese dembow’ (I have that dembow) is a confident affirmation of her command over rhythm, which is fundamentally a connecting thread amongst global audiences. These memorable lines aren’t mere words; they are the invocation of an artist who has, indeed, reached ‘Con Altura,’ and from that vantage, sees a world without boundaries, connected through the universal language of music.
