coplas

Coplas are a traditional form of Spanish lyric poetry and song. A copla is typically a short stanza of four lines (cuarteta) written in octosyllables, with rhyme schemes such as ABAB or AABB, though variations exist. Coplas usually present direct, economical language and often carry a moral, humorous, or observational tone. Many coplas culminate with a memorable final line that functions as a punchline or moral.

The form has medieval roots but gained wide popularity in folk culture and popular music, especially in Spain’s Iberian and Andalusian regions. As a performative genre, coplas are closely tied to oral transmission, street singing, cafés, and later radio and cinema. They have influenced and been adapted by various musical styles across the Spanish-speaking world.

Performance and repertoire have been shaped by notable performers who popularized the form in the 20th century. Singers such as Concha Piquer, Lola Flores, Antonio Molina, and Isabel Pantoja helped elevate the copla from traditional verse into a contemporary stage and recording repertoire, blending classic copla meters with various musical arrangements.

In addition to its musical function, the term copla can refer more broadly to a compact, proverb-like verse that conveys wit, a moral, or social commentary. Scholars study coplas as a distinctive element of Iberian folk poetry and as an influence on later Spanish-language popular music in both Spain and Latin America.