This article discusses the use of pop songs in translations by Spanish stud
ents. The students had to translate songs from Spanish into English. Certai
n characteristics typical of poetry translated well, but the translated lyr
ics did not match the original tune. The study indicates that pop songs can
be used in translation classes, and that pop songs may be a preparation fo
r translation of poetry proper and opera. In their translation students foc
used on lexis. Accordingly, the majority of mistakes were grammatical. Most
errors involved students' individual interlanguage, which indicates that t
ranslation teachers need to emphasize grammar in translation into non-mothe
r tongue languages.