“Ay mamá” is Rigoberta Bandini’s entry for Benidorm Fest. It’s a feminist anthem which honours motherhood and breastfeeding. Rigoberta sings to her mother — and, in fact, all mothers — as she questions the stigma of female bodies.
Scroll down for the “Ay mamá” lyrics
Benidorm Fest: Rigoberta Bandini “Ay mamá”
Paula Ribó González – known as Rigoberta Bandini – is one of the hottest names in the Spanish music industry. “Ay mamá” is a feminist hymn with which Rigoberta vindicates the beauty of the female body, motherhood and women at large. She composed her competing song herself, alongside Esteban Navarro Dordal and Stefano Maccarroney. “Ay mamá” keeps the essence that has helped Rigoberta captivate the Spanish audience all year.
Rigoberta was our pick for this year’s Wednesday Wishlist and she is among the most talked about acts from the Benidorm line up. “Ay mamá” is an electro pop experiment, which builds, builds and builds into an anthem. Choir-like verses are blended with the catchy “mamamamamamamá” line. Rigoberta has received massive attention in Spain during 2021 thanks to songs like “In Spain we call it soledad” and “Perra”.
What do the “Ay mamá” lyrics mean?
“Ay mamá” starts with Rigoberta asking her mother to excuse her for being conceited, and also thanking her for sustaining and protecting her. “To you, who always have some broth in your fridge”, “you, who bled for so many months through your life.”
Apart from an ode to mothers and motherhood, Rigoberta also delves into the stigma related to the female body. “I don’t know why so many people are scared of our tits,” she yells almost at the end of the song. The censorship of female breasts and menstruation are some of the topics that this song tackles.
“Let’s stop the city by taking a breast out in the style of Delacroix,” Rigoberta sings, referring to Eugène Delacroix’s painting of Liberty Leading the People.
“Ay mamá” lyrics – Rigoberta Bandini (Benidorm Fest 2022)
Written and composed by: Paula Ribó, Esteban Navarro, Stefano Maccarrone
Spanish textTú que has sangrado tantos meses de tu vida Perdóname antes de empezar, Soy engreída y lo sabes bien A ti que tienes siempre caldo en la nevera Tú que podrías acabar con tantas guerras Escúchame Mamá, mamá, mamá Paremos la ciudad Sacando un pecho fuera al puro estilo Delacroix Mamá, mamá, mamá Por tantas mamamamamá Todas las mamamamamá Tú que amarraste bien tu cuerpo a mi cabeza Con ganas de llorar pero con fortaleza Escúchame Mamá, mamá, mamá Paremos la ciudad Sacando un pecho fuera al puro estilo Delacroix Mamá, mamá, mamá Por tantas mamamamamá Todas las mamamamamá Mamamamamá Vivan las mamamamamá No sé por qué dan tanto miedo nuestras tetas Sin ellas no habría humanidad ni habría belleza y lo sabes bien Lololololololo Lololololololo Escúchame Mamá, mamá, mamá |
English translationYou, who bled for so many months through your life Excuse me before beginning, I am conceited and you know it well To you, who always has broth in your fridge You, who could stop so many wars Listen to me Mom, mom, mom Let’s stop the city by taking a breast out in the style of Delacroix Mom, mom, mom For so many mamamamama All the mamamamama You, who tied well your body to my head Wanting to cry but with strenght Listen to me Mom, mom, mom Let’s stop the city by taking a breast out in the style of Delacroix Mom, mom, mom For so many mamamamama All the mamamamama Mamamamama Long life to the mamamamama I don’t know why people are so scared of our tits Without them, there wouldn’t be humanity nor beauty and you know it well Lololololololo Lololololololo Listen to me Mom, mom, mom |
Is “Ay mamá” your favourite Benidorm Fest entry? Should Rigoberta Bandini sing at Eurovision 2022? Tell us in the comment section below!
Okay, this song is awesome! It’s good that Rigoberta is highlighting an important issue here, but I’m not sure whether this will win… I like it, but that ‘mama mama mama’ hook gives it a novelty feel for some reason (according to me) If it does win, hope people will not forget the topic of the song.
My hot favs are Rigo and Tanxugueiras, but Ay mama now has a place in my heart. It’s an anthem.
Anyway, Rayden and Javiera have amazing entries!
Yessss!!!! it is the best proposal by my point of view ?
I am not yet sure what to think of this; I like the song, it’s fresh, it’s fun, it’s interesting in a way that we haven’t seen from Spain in years, the lyrics are great. However, most people will not understand the lyrics, and even though the song is good this might, if it gets to Eurovision, be understood as a joke entry, or a novelty entry at least. I don’t know yet what to think of this…
I don’t know how well will she do in Eurovision if she win, but she is definitely my winner
I am not ashamed to say that I cried while listening for the first time.There is just something about her songs… they are full of meaning, and sometimes even, although sad, the melodies are uplifting enough to make you smile and think about lots of things.
I don’t know if she will win or not, but I am glad she stayed true to herself with this one.
she’s a feminist; so without ‘power’ of cigs in her mouth she is not gonna able 2 feel like a real man 😉
what
It’s all in the name. He’s a troll. Best to downvote and not react.
Independtly from the lyrics, as all the people who doesn’t speak Spanish wouldn’t understand it, the beat is great and I think it has potential to do well in ESC
Yeah we hope they dont have internet access and cant search what the lyrics mean in English and read this article
Most people won’t search what it means if they only watch the show
you can just say cigarette
This song is addictive and rigoberta is wonderful artist. I hope the live performance will be good
As Spaniard I dont matter if this song could win Eurovision or not beacuse as we know are many factors involved, but this song is really really good, very emotional, catchy and unique! This shoulb be the winner in Benidorm will be very proud to send Rigoberta and all what this song resepresent
I think that we mustnt think what would do well in Europe, but send something Spaniards think is us and authentic. I believe authenticity is the key to have a good result.
I agree. Which is why I kinda don’t like when countries include international voting and international juries in their voting process. I think each country should choose the song that represent them best.
Yes queen!
A good example of what Rigoberta is talking about would be Victoria De Angelis always covering her nipples, while Damiano, Ethan, and Thomas never do. I’m not blaming Victoria, only society – it makes no sense.
Damiano and Ethan have taped up their nipples before, but for some reason no one cares about that. Yet when Victoria doesn’t cover her nipples, entire articles get written.
It’s incredible how nipples can be dull as dirt on an old man at the beach, but evidence of the downfall of society on any woman ever. I’m not a huge fan of this song sonically, but good on Rigoberta for bringing something bold to Benidorm.
Because everything was set up by men. No need to control your beastly urges when you can simply blame it on others. Most people care more about not stimulating maniacs that get turned on by the most natural act of feeding your baby (not saying anything against formulas) than educating them in the first place and not oppressing women.
What I think it’s interesting about Rigoberta’s music is how it has a combative nature but carrying some sweetness with it. In this sense, “Ay Mamá” is very representative of her work.
I personally think the “mama mama mama” is a little excessive, but there are some great moments on the lyrics, like the clever reference to Delacroix and a very direct “I don’t know why our tits scare so much”. Probably too divisive to win, definitely thought-provoking enough to start a discussion.
To be honest, I don’t understand all the hype surrounding Rigoberta and her songs. I’m not saying her songs are bad by any means, they just say nothing all to me. I find she is overrated by some Spaniards just because what she sings about and how she does it.
I repeat: I don’t mean her songs are bad. Actually her lyrics are wise and she is an accomplished artist. I just don’t think she deserves all that hype.
Anyway, this is how social media generation works deifying some and demonizing the others. She’s been lucky I guess.
We like her sound, her lyrics, her style and artistry, get a grip boo
I saw Rigoberts in live and is so amazing! Hope yo have the oppirtunity to see her in a concert ?
No no, I mean I know she’s good. Just not that good in my opinion. Might be I’m not a fan of that sound. I’ve seen videos of her concerts and people is enthusiastic but we’ve seen other artists bringing the whole arena down to then fall down to the bottom 5 of the table because it is lived different at home.
I really dislike these fake stances where people try to act like they are standing up for something that the vast majority of people don’t care about, especially in Europe.
People not caring is the problem.
Code red: A white man is crying over here. Call the ambulance, there’s a high risk of testicle explosion due to hate to stances he doesn’t share, so he hides his opinion behind “the vast majority” to reassure his dumb comment.
‘Code red: A white man’
well hello, racist bigot! 😛
I’,m not racist, I’m just particulary sensitive to other’s stupidity.
cry about it troll
really good song 🙂 my nr 1 is Rayden 🙂 but loved this song too
so toxic femininity? NEXT!
toxic femininity is putting down masculinity and other forms of expression that are not feminine and presenting femininity as the only correct, or best option. literally where is this song doing that
‘Without them, there wouldn’t be humanity nor beauty’
so progressive, so feminist XD
do you know basic biology or are you just a bigot
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammal
Just FYI
De nada
No female tits, no life
PS : your comment denotes how necessary feminism is
feminism is ideology, not some special cure. my comment simply denotes the hypocrisy of modern world.
is that all you got really? lol