"The Ketchup Song" is the English title of the song "Aserejé" (pronounced [aseɾeˈxe]) recorded by the Spanish pop group Las Ketchup, which was an international hit in 2002. It was released in July 2002 as the lead single from their debut album, Hijas del Tomate. The song exists in three versions, Spanish, a version in a mixture of English and Spanish, described as "Spanglish," and a version in Portuguese. The chorus is identical in the three versions. This song reached number-one in the United Kingdom, as well as 26 other countries worldwide. As of 2006, the song has sold over 7 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Las Ketchup was first introduced to Columbia Records through Shaketown Music, a small record label in Córdoba, Andalusia, who sent out the group's demo to a number of different record companies. The demo featured the songs “Asereje” and “Kusha Las Payas.” When A&R Javier Portugués and Columbia director Raúl López listened to the demo, they stared at each other in delight exclaiming, "Wow, this is fantastic!" At first the intention was to arrange a distribution deal with ShakeTown Music but upon hearing the song they realised its international potential and so negotiated for Las Ketchup to sign with Sony.
Mira lo que se avecina
a la vuelta de la esquina
viene Diego rumbeando
Con la luna en las pupilas
y su traje agua marina
va despues de contrabando
Y donde mas no cabe un alma
y se mete a darse caa
poseido por el ritmo ragatanga
Y el D.J que lo conoce
toca el himno de las doce
para Diego la cancion mas deseada
Y la baila, y la goza, y la cantaaaa...
Aserej, ja deje dejebe tudejebe de
sebiunouva majabi an de bugui an de buididip (3 times)
No es cosa de brujeria
que lo encuentre to los dias
por donde voy caminando
Diego tiene chuleria
y ese punto de alegria
rastafari afrogitano
Y donde mas no cabe un alma
alli se mete a darse caa
poseido por el ritmo ragatanga
Y el dijey que lo conoce
toca el himno de las doce
para Diego la cancion mas deseada
Y la baila, y la goza y, la cantaaaa
Aserej, ja deje dejebe tudejebe de
sebiunouva majabi an de bugui an de buididip (3 times)
A nanananananana...
Aserej, ja deje dejebe tudejebe
sebiunouva majabi an de bugui an de buididip (9 times)