Masculino y Femenino

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico's song 'Masculino y Femenino' delves into the concept of gender duality and the inherent pairing of masculine and feminine elements in language and life. The lyrics playfully explore the idea that every masculine noun has a corresponding feminine counterpart, a concept deeply rooted in the Spanish language's grammatical structure. The song's repetitive questioning and answering format not only highlights this linguistic feature but also adds a humorous twist by occasionally presenting unexpected or incorrect answers, which are then corrected in a light-hearted manner.

The song begins by establishing the premise that every masculine entity has a feminine counterpart, inviting the listener to engage in a mental exercise of identifying these pairs. This is evident in lines like 'La del chivo cual es: A pues la chiva' and 'Y la del Buey, a pues la vaca,' where the masculine nouns 'chivo' (goat) and 'buey' (ox) are paired with their feminine forms 'chiva' and 'vaca' (cow). The playful nature of the song is further emphasized when the singer intentionally provides incorrect answers, such as 'Y la del muerto, chico la muerta,' only to be corrected with 'Esa es la viuda' (widow), adding a layer of humor and wit.

The song also extends this concept beyond animals to inanimate objects and abstract ideas, as seen in the lines 'Si soy tenedor, yo soy cuchara' (If I am a fork, I am a spoon) and 'Si soy zapato, yo soy chancleta' (If I am a shoe, I am a sandal). This broadens the scope of the song's exploration of gender duality, making it a playful commentary on the pervasive nature of gendered language. The closing lines, 'Abran paso, abran paso, que me da la punzada,' suggest a sense of urgency and excitement, as if the singer is eager to continue this entertaining linguistic journey.

'El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico,' known for their vibrant salsa music, uses this song to blend cultural commentary with humor, making 'Masculino y Femenino' a delightful and thought-provoking piece. The band's ability to infuse their music with social and linguistic observations while maintaining a lively and engaging rhythm is a testament to their enduring popularity and influence in Latin music.