Una Vez

"Una Vez" delves into the complex and emotionally charged theme of a clandestine relationship. The song's narrative centers on a plea for one last night together with a lover who is already committed to someone else. It's a story of forbidden desire, acknowledging that the relationship is wrong ('Lo nuestro no te conviene') but simultaneously irresistible. The core message revolves around the intoxicating and painful nature of wanting someone you cannot have. The protagonist suggests a final, memorable encounter, after which they will both return to their separate realities—he to his life, and she to her partner. This reflects a deep sense of resignation and a longing to capture a fleeting moment of connection, even if it's temporary and ultimately leads back to separation. The song captures the duality of pleasure and pain, the thrill of the illicit, and the quiet sorrow of an unfulfilled connection.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of a man entangled in a clandestine affair with a woman who is already in a relationship. He acknowledges from the outset that their connection is ill-advised and not beneficial for her ('Lo nuestro no te conviene'). Despite this, he observes that her current partner no longer brings her happiness or excitement ('Pero él ya no te entretiene'). The singer is fully aware that he is a source of temptation for her, leading her into what he describes as sin ('Sé que te incito a pecar'). He sees her struggle to maintain control over her feelings and the situation, but recognizes that the attraction between them is an unstoppable force ('lo tratas de controlar, pero no se detiene').

The central plea of the song is a request for one final, intimate encounter—'una vez,' or 'one time.' This request is framed with a sense of finality and desperation, as if it might be their last opportunity ever to be together ('Por si no te vuelvo a ver'). He proposes a seemingly simple, yet emotionally complex, arrangement: after this one night, they will both return to their separate lives as if nothing happened. He will go on with his life, and she will return to hers with her partner ('Luego yo sigo normal con mi vida y tú la tuya con él'). This proposition highlights a deep-seated longing and a resignation to the temporary nature of their bond.

The lyrics delve deeper into the dynamics of their secret meetings. He encourages her to escape and meet him, to be discreet and prepare herself for their tryst. There's a confidence, almost a cockiness, in his tone as he describes her attraction to him. He knows that when her boyfriend is not around, she seeks him out. He sees her as having an innocent façade ('Carita de nena buena') but knows that with him, she feels a thrilling sense of rebellion and excitement, viewing her official partner as merely a placeholder or a 'resolv'—someone who solves a temporary need but lacks true connection. The physical and passionate aspects of their affair are explicitly mentioned, with lines about pulling her hair and making her scream his name, reinforcing the raw, physical nature of their desire. The repeated proposal of 'one more time' serves as the song's emotional and narrative core, capturing a moment of intense, bittersweet, and forbidden passion.

"Una Vez" is a track from Bad Bunny's critically acclaimed second studio album, YHLQMDLG, which was released on February 29, 2020. The song is a collaboration with fellow Puerto Rican artist Mora. Interestingly, the song was originally Mora's. He sent a demo to Bad Bunny for feedback, and Bad Bunny liked it so much that he recorded his own verse and surprised Mora with the collaboration, ultimately including it on the album. This collaboration significantly boosted Mora's visibility in the Latin music scene. The album YHLQMDLG, an acronym for "Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana" (I Do Whatever I Want), was recorded in 2019 and 2020 and was heavily influenced by "old-school" reggaeton. The production for "Una Vez" was handled by Chilean producer Taiko, among others who contributed to the album like Tainy, Súbelo NEO, and Bad Bunny himself. A music video for the song, directed by Stillz, was released on September 20, 2020, following a high-profile performance of the song during Bad Bunny's live-streamed concert from New York City.

"Una Vez" is built on a mid-tempo, moody trap beat that gives it a slow, hypnotic rhythm. This pacing allows the emotional weight of the lyrics to sink in, creating a contemplative and melancholic atmosphere. The song's structure follows a typical verse-chorus pattern found in pop and urban music. The rhyme scheme is generally fluid and characteristic of Spanish-language trap, using a combination of assonant and consonant rhymes to create a smooth lyrical flow. For example, in the intro, 'conviene' rhymes with 'entretiene' and 'detiene'. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is crucial; the vocal delivery often floats over the beat, sometimes falling slightly behind or pushing ahead, which enhances the song's conversational and emotionally candid feel. The steady, pulsating bass provides a constant heartbeat to the track, grounding the more ethereal synth pads and atmospheric effects.

Musically, "Una Vez" blends the atmospheric, moody production of Latin trap with the rhythmic underpinnings of reggaeton and the smooth vocal delivery of R&B. The production, helmed by Taiko, features a hypnotic, reverb-heavy beat, creating a spacious and immersive soundscape that feels both intimate and lonely. Bad Bunny's and Mora's vocal performances are key; they employ a relaxed, almost conversational flow that transitions into melodic singing, conveying a sense of vulnerability and raw emotion. Lyrically, the song uses a direct narrative voice, addressing the lover with a mix of confession and persuasion. The structure is built around a powerful and memorable chorus (estribillo) that encapsulates the song's central plea. The repetition of 'Y tú la tuya con él' (And you yours with him) at the end of verses serves as a stark, rhythmic reminder of the reality of their situation, creating a powerful contrast between their desired escape and their inevitable return to separate lives.

"Una Vez" was released as part of Bad Bunny's monumental album YHLQMDLG, which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, becoming the highest-charting all-Spanish album in the chart's history at the time. The album's massive success solidified Bad Bunny's status as a global superstar and a leading figure in the movement to bring Spanish-language music to the forefront of global pop culture. While "Una Vez" was not one of the album's lead singles, it became a fan favorite, praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric production. The song's collaboration with Mora also served as a significant platform for the rising artist. The music video, released months after the album, reignited interest in the track and the album. Culturally, the song is a prime example of the genre-blurring innovation happening within Latin urban music, seamlessly blending trap, reggaeton, and R&B to create a sound that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in Latin musical traditions.

The primary symbol in "Una Vez" is the concept of 'one time' itself. It represents a fleeting, final moment of passion that is consciously separated from the continuity of everyday life. This 'one time' is a microcosm of their entire relationship—intense, contained, and destined to end. The act of returning to their separate lives symbolizes the compartmentalization of their feelings and the societal rules they are breaking. The music video adds another layer of symbolism. It features a lone astronaut wandering desolate, post-apocalyptic landscapes. This astronaut can be interpreted as a metaphor for the emotional isolation and alienation felt by the protagonist. He is adrift in a world that feels foreign and empty without his lover, clutching a Polaroid picture, presumably of her, as the only remnant of their connection. This imagery elevates the song's theme of longing and loss to a cosmic, existential level, suggesting that the end of this affair feels like the end of a world.

The most significant recurring phrase and central motif is 'déjame sentirte una vez' (let me feel you one time). This line is the core of the song's plea, repeated in the chorus to emphasize the desperation and finality of the request. Its repetition makes it a powerful hook that encapsulates the song's entire narrative. Another crucial recurring phrase is the somber acknowledgment, 'Luego yo sigo normal con mi vida, y tú la tuya con él' (Then I'll go on normally with my life, and you yours with him). This line, which follows the passionate plea, acts as a recurring reality check. It highlights the bittersweet agreement and the acceptance of their temporary connection. The contrast between these two recurring motifs—one of passionate desire and the other of somber reality—creates the song's central emotional tension.