Mi Persona Favorita

"Mi Persona Favorita" is a universal ode to profound, unconditional love and appreciation for a cherished individual. The song's meaning is rooted in genuine affection, celebrating the unique qualities that make a person special. Alejandro Sanz was inspired to write the song for his youngest daughter, Alma, as he had already dedicated songs to his other children. Camila Cabello, in turn, dedicated her part of the song to her younger sister, Sofi. This familial inspiration imbues the song with a sense of pure, innocent, and deep-seated love that goes beyond romantic clichés. The lyrics emphasize an appreciation for the person's inner and outer beauty—their smile, their kind heart, and even the color of their skin—while rejecting superficial judgments of race or color. The song's message is intentionally broad, serving as "an homage to love in all its breadth, diversity and enriching complexity," as Sanz stated. The accompanying music video reinforces this by featuring a diverse array of couples and pairs, celebrating love in all its forms.

The song is a heartfelt ode to a deeply cherished individual, referred to as the singer's "favorite person." It begins by expressing a love that transcends superficial differences like race or color, focusing instead on the unique and endearing qualities of the beloved. The singer is captivated by simple things, such as the beautiful tan of their favorite person's face and the way their eyes reflect the sunset. There's a sense of breathless admiration; the singer's very breath catches just by being near them, and their gaze is enough to cause a feeling of dying from affection. The lyrics paint a picture of an intimate and tender connection, where small gestures hold immense meaning. The simple act of the loved one resting their head on the singer's shoulder is a moment of profound connection, described as the voice of the soul singing out. The chorus is a joyful and repetitive declaration of this person's wonderful attributes. They have a beautiful face, a smile like an angel, and a big heart. The singer offers their own life as a 'toy' for this person to play with, a metaphor for complete trust and devotion, inviting them to play with their heart. This sentiment underscores a vulnerable and all-encompassing love. The song continues to build on this imagery by comparing the favorite person to the sun, a source of light and calmness that appears effortlessly and brightens the world. They are also likened to a unique flower that the singer treasures. Their voice has the power to disarm and soothe. The narrative is one of pure, uncomplicated adoration, celebrating the way this one individual brings joy, peace, and meaning to the singer's life. It's a universal anthem of love, capturing the essence of what it means to hold someone in the highest possible regard, appreciating every small detail that makes them who they are.

"Mi Persona Favorita" was written by Alejandro Sanz and Camila Cabello and released on March 28, 2019, as the third single from Sanz's album, #ELDISCO. The collaboration came about when Sanz invited Cabello to Miami in the summer of 2018 to record the song. Cabello, a lifelong fan of Sanz's music, was ecstatic about the opportunity and immediately flew to Miami to work with him. The song was recorded between March and October 2018 at Art House Studios and Mow Studios in Miami. It was produced by Sanz himself, alongside Julio Reyes Copello and Alfonso Pérez. The track features notable musical contributions, including orchestration by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, flamenco guitar by José Miguel Carmona, and drums by two-time Grammy winner Larnell Lewis.

"Mi Persona Favorita" is a mid-tempo pop song with a gentle, flowing rhythm that creates a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. The song's structure is straightforward, with a consistent and accessible rhyme scheme in its Spanish lyrics, often following an AABB or ABCB pattern in its verses, which makes the lyrics feel natural and song-like. The chorus has a highly memorable and repetitive melodic and lyrical structure, emphasizing the central theme. The rhythm is driven by a soft percussion line and the prominent acoustic guitar, which provides both harmonic and rhythmic support. The vocal melodies are smooth and follow the natural cadence of the Spanish language, making the lyrics feel conversational and sincere. This interplay between the simple, heartfelt lyrical rhythm and the gentle, swaying musical rhythm is key to the song's warm and inviting feel.

Musically, "Mi Persona Favorita" is a flamenco pop ballad characterized by its warm, acoustic arrangement. The foundation is built on gentle acoustic guitar rhythms, prominently featuring a Spanish flamenco guitar played by José Miguel Carmona, which roots the song in Sanz's signature style. The production is enhanced by the lush sound of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, adding a layer of sophistication. Lyrically, the song uses direct and simple language, avoiding complex metaphors in favor of sincere declarations of love. The vocal delivery is key; both Sanz's and Cabello's distinct, slightly raspy voices blend to create a soothing and heartfelt duet. The call-and-response structure in the verses and harmonizing in the chorus create an intimate, conversational feel. The music video's stylistic choice to feature diverse couples speaking about their loved ones complements the song's universal message of love.

"Mi Persona Favorita" achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim, particularly in the Latin music world. The song won two major awards at the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in 2019: Record of the Year and Best Pop Song. It was also nominated for Song of the Year. The song performed well on the charts, reaching number one in several Central American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama. In Spain, it was certified Platinum for selling over 40,000 copies. The music video, celebrated for its inclusive portrayal of diverse couples, further amplified the song's message of universal love and garnered millions of views shortly after its release. The collaboration was a significant moment for Camila Cabello, a long-time fan of Sanz, marking a successful return to her Latin-pop roots and earning her her first Latin Grammy wins.

The song employs simple yet powerful metaphors to convey its message of adoration. The central metaphor compares the beloved person to the sun: "Eres como el sol, sales sin razón, dando luz y calma" ("You are like the sun, you come out without reason, giving light and calm"). This symbolizes the effortless and essential warmth, light, and tranquility the person brings into the singer's life. They are also compared to a "sola flor que me guardo yo" ("a single flower that I keep for myself"), symbolizing their preciousness, beauty, and uniqueness to the singer. The offer to let the loved one "juega con mi corazón" ("play with my heart") is a metaphor for complete vulnerability and trust, handing over one's emotions and life with childlike innocence and devotion.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title, "Mi persona favorita" ("My favorite person"), which serves as the central hook and thematic core. Its repetition in the chorus reinforces the song's dedication and focal point. The chorus itself is a recurring motif, consistently listing the beloved's qualities: "tiene la cara bonita, tiene un ángel su sonrisa, tiene un corazón y yo" ("has a pretty face, their smile has an angel, has a heart and I..."). This repetition makes the song incredibly catchy and drills home the message of adoration. The line "juega con mi corazón" ("play with my heart") also reappears, emphasizing the theme of loving vulnerability and trust. These recurring elements make the song a simple, powerful, and memorable anthem for a loved one.