Piero De Benedictis is an Argentine singer (though born in Italy) who was fairly popular in the 1970s and 80s. Billed just as Piero, he became a leader in the “protest music” movement, singing against the repressive dictators in Argentina and Chile. He made famous a song (written by Alberto Cortez) called “Los Americanos”; the Wikipedia article about Piero calls it “a good-natured sendup of North Americans.”
Like much humor, it takes things that are true and exaggerates them to ridiculous levels. If you don’t like to laugh at yourself or to have others point out your foibles, stop reading now. If you don’t mind a “good-natured sendup,” then read my translation of “Los Americanos.”
LOS AMERICANOS
They are born elderly and gradually become kids,
Throughout the lifetime of los americanos.
And they are born convinced that there is nobody in the world
More important than los americanos.
Napoleon for them was an Italian gentleman
Who organized everything without los americanos.
And they are more than sure that he wouldn’t have lost
Waterloo with the help of los americanos.
If they know anything about history, it’s not from reading it
but from seeing it in the cine americano.
With massive sets and grandiose music
In the subtle style of los americanos.
They have huge jaws from chewing so much gum.
It’s common to see them, los americanos,
Dressed in a thousand colors, all except black,
Which doesn’t fit the taste of los americanos.
When they get old, they dress up like tourists
And head out for the world, los americanos.
In organized trips with romance included
Paid for eventually by los americanos.
If there’s something to be admired, wherever they go,
it’s the grand elegance of los americanos.
Wearing native dress, they mix in with the people,
And nobody realizes that they are americanos.
And they always buy valuable antiques
Recently antiqued, just for los americanos.
Then they have their friends over to their homes
To praise the fine taste of los americanos.
And in night clubs, after a few drinks,
They feel inspired, los americanos.
It’s very common to find them dancing tirelessly
Overflowing with the grace of los americanos.
So my friends, that’s enough for now.
I told you what I could about los americanos.
And if you see them… if you see them
Give my respectful greeting to los americanos.