The kids had no clue what they were shaking it to.
For party people of the 1990s, the hip-swinging beat of the “Macarena” still rings as the sultry soundtrack of the decade, which came complete with its own club-worthy choreography.
But now, the nostalgic bubble associated with the Spanish-language hit is bursting — much to the chagrin of millennials and older — thanks to meddling TikTokers who’ve the analyzed the lyrics to reveal their not-so-bouncy translation.
“What do you know about the ‘Macarena’ in English?,” content creator Maddie Jackson asked her nearly 720,000 followers.
“Give your body joy, Macarena. Your body is for giving good things. Give your body joy, Macarena. Hey, Macarena!,” she sang of the 1993 song’s chorus, converting the words, originally performed by Latin pop duo Los Del Río, to English.
Jackson went on to explain that the track’s verses describe a young woman named Macarena, who may have cheated on her military boyfriend with two of his pals.
“This is not right,” lamented the blond while cutting a disappointed frown.
And crestfallen folks worldwide agree.
The once-inescapable chart-topper, which spent a staggering 60 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 list during the mid ‘90s, has taken a virtual beating in recent years.
Know-it-all Gen Z spent this past summer attempting to improve upon the ditty’s iconic dance moves, adding new, albeit clumsy steps to the multipart routine.
Hilary Clinton hasn’t helped preserve the number’s cool legacy either. The former U.S. Secretary of State, 76, made onlookers “cringe” in January, when she awkwardly tried nailing the “Macarena” while partying in Spain.
And now, to go with the black eye it’s getting from Zoomers and the shower of embarrassment it’s under thanks to Boomers, the tune’s questionable lyrics are enduring a viral thrashing.
“Yes,” said influencer Elizabeth Devasto in an eye-popping post, unveiling the ugly truth of the “Macarena.”
“Throughout all of our childhoods we were dancing to a song about a woman who was cheating on her man,” she added. “Twelve-years-old getting lit to some adultery.”
Jake Randall, a UK-based content creator, too, shared his shock at the raunchy lyrics in a clip. Flabbergasted by the song’s naughty nature, he even begged teachers to quit playing the chant at kiddie dances and school dances.
Randall’s commenters agreed.
“One of many songs we had no business singing at 9-years-old,” wrote a backer.
“It’s the cheaters theme song,” chimed another, before an equally outraged naysayer deemed the song, “Wholly inappropriate.”
