Issues with "cero" by Dani martín

Question

Hey, guys! I'm an intermediate level self thaught Spanish student with no personal contact with any native Spanish speakers . I have two issues with understanding the exact meaning of this song's lyrics, and they're questions that all of the english translations of the song never seem to answer for me. The first, is when the song uses forms of the verb "Tocar." dani sings " y me toca entender" and " ahora toca aprender." Is it acceptable in speaking Spanish to use the verb "tocar" in the case of it meaning "something's turn" to say "and it's time for me to understand" , as in "and it's the turn for me to understand" as well in the same way as "now it's time to learn" , as I imagine is the case in this song?

My second q with the song (and bear with me guys!) Is in the chorus. It goes "Quiero Que todo vuelva a empezar Que todo vuelva a girar Que todo venga de cero"

From my knowledge of the words in these lines, I can only translate it to mean "I want for everything to begin again, for everything to turn back( begin anew?) , for everything to come from nothing." but is that even a possible use of the words involved, such as the phrasing of "vuelva a empezar" ?

Thanks guys, I know it was a long question!

Answer 1

1. Yes. Absolutely. You've got it perfectly right. "Tocar hacer algo" means 'to be the turn to do something'. For examples: when playing some game with friends and you have to say 'it's your turn' we say 'te toca (a ti)'.
2. "Quiero que todo vuelva a empezar; que todo vuelva a girar; que todo venga de cero". I want for everything to begin again; for everything to turn again (start turning); for everything to come from scratch.

• De/desde cero = from scratch.

But on the other had, I was missing that the use of "girar" here was more literal, in that the singer really is saying that he actually wants things to "begin to turn again." But, I'm glad I understand now, thanks - Anykindofness, Sep 5, 2013

Thanks for the feedback! My biggest issue with the chorus of the song was understanding that "quiero que..." is used as we in English would use "I want for..", so I'm glad that I got that much right! - Anykindofness, Sep 5, 2013

You're right. He is being literal with "girar" but it may also be a metaphor for 'to put things in motion'. - 00483d91, Sep 5, 2013