Song Meaning
Song Breakdown
Intro - Luis Fonsi
Luis Fonsi’s opening lines, “Sé que te gusto a ti todavía,” set the stage for a story tinged with longing. In a confident yet wistful tone, he acknowledges a lingering attraction, hinting at an unresolved connection. The countdown — “Tres, dos, uno” — feels like a prelude to a final moment shared, a brief journey into the past that’s about to unfold.Verse 1 - MARINA
MARINA’s verse begins in an “empty room,” a space that feels as cold as the memories it holds. She encounters her former lover in her mind, and her blood “runs cold” with the weight of lost possibilities. Through her evocative words, MARINA conveys the sting of regret, recalling a September in the past when things were simpler, even reckless. She confesses how she “gave [her] heart to another lover,” unable to understand how she let this person slip away. The emotional weight lingers, casting a shadow on her present, where she’s haunted by what might have been.Pre-Chorus - MARINA
The pre-chorus is a poignant expression of yearning, as MARINA imagines a “place and time” where they could have been together. The repeated “if only” speaks to the bittersweet fantasy of rekindling a love that exists only in her heart. Yet, she is painfully aware that this can never be, as she’s already “someone else’s baby,” underscoring the inner conflict between past desires and present realities.Chorus - MARINA & Luis Fonsi
In the chorus, both MARINA and Luis Fonsi mournfully acknowledge the finality of their situation. MARINA sings of a “last chance” and “last dance,” emphasizing how their love slipped through her fingers. The sadness is palpable, particularly when they recognize the shame of having to let go. Their voices entwine with both resignation and a sense of loss, giving life to the pain of accepting that their paths have diverged. Each “Baby, ah” echoes this finality, as if acknowledging their resigned goodbye.Verse 2 - MARINA
MARINA’s second verse delves deeper into memory, as she feels the closeness of her former lover. She remembers the “way we were,” though she tries to keep her distance. It’s a tense and delicate moment, where she battles between nostalgia and restraint. The way she closes her eyes and describes the love as a “lullaby” evokes a sense of comfort and warmth, making it clear that these feelings still linger, even as she chooses to keep them at bay.Verse 3 - Luis Fonsi
Luis Fonsi’s verse brings in a different perspective, as he openly acknowledges that he knows she still feels something for him, despite her denials. His words, “Tienes mi corazón, eres mi obsesión,” reveal his intense attachment, showing that he, too, is bound by an obsession he can’t quite release. He hints that their bond is more than friendship, asserting a love that endures regardless of time or distance. His lines are layered with a powerful sense of devotion and hope, even as he grapples with the impossibility of their situation.Chorus - MARINA, Luis Fonsi
The chorus returns with a renewed intensity, and this time MARINA and Luis Fonsi sing together, weaving their voices into a complex, sorrowful duet. The lyrics reflect the tension of wanting to be stronger while accepting the reality of separation. MARINA’s heart is like a “rubber band,” straining against the weight of her emotions, while Fonsi acknowledges the “shame” of their fate. Despite trying to move on, the admission of shared feelings lingers, leaving the listener with the impression of a love that will always feel unresolved.Bridge - MARINA
The bridge is a final, wistful farewell from MARINA, who imagines an alternate world where their story could have unfolded differently. “If only you were mine” encapsulates the heartache of unfulfilled potential, as she lets go of the love that could have been. The line “This love story ends for you and I” feels like a self-imposed closure, an attempt to put an end to the lingering longing and move forward.Chorus - MARINA & Luis Fonsi
In the final chorus, MARINA and Luis Fonsi express the same deep sadness, yet the tone now has an air of finality. The repetition of “Baby, ah” becomes a mantra of acceptance, as if each utterance solidifies the end. Luis Fonsi’s lines in Spanish bring out an added layer of intimacy and passion, lamenting that what she has with her current lover “no es amor.” Each phrase carries a poignant weight, revealing that, despite their attempts to move on, their hearts remain intertwined.Album : What Is Love? (2017)