Lo Que Siento

"Lo Que Siento" (which translates to "What I Feel") is a deeply personal and heartfelt expression of youthful love, longing, and vulnerability. The song captures the intoxicating feeling of being completely infatuated with someone, blending daydreams with heartfelt promises. A central theme is the idealization of love and the hope for a shared future, even in the face of temporary separation or uncertainty. Cuco's bilingual lyrics, seamlessly shifting between English and Spanish, are not just a stylistic choice but a reflection of his own bicultural identity as a Mexican-American. This linguistic duality adds a layer of authenticity and relatability for a generation of listeners who navigate similar cultural spaces. The song speaks to the universal experience of young love, characterized by intense emotions, a sense of longing when apart, and the simple, profound desire for companionship. It touches on the sadness that accompanies distance ('Time and time again I can be feeling real sad 'Cause mi sueño no se ha hecho una realidad') but maintains an overarching tone of optimism and unwavering devotion.

The narrator begins by confessing that he is dreaming of his beloved while he is alone. He reassures her not to worry, as he is on his way back home to her. He expresses a simple desire to just spend time with her, regardless of the time of day. He urges her not to cry when he's away, affirming that she is everything he could ever want. He explicitly states that the song he is singing is dedicated to her.

Switching to Spanish, he addresses her as 'cariño' (darling), revealing that his thoughts are consumed by her from the moment he wakes until he goes to sleep. He wishes she was his and thinks of her constantly. This love makes him feel as though he is flying and brings him a profound sense of well-being. He finds himself lost in her words, and imagines that spending time together is the ultimate dream. In these moments, he feels on top of the world and sees her as his perfect girl, someone he wants to make his queen.

Despite this overwhelming love, he admits to moments of sadness because his dream of being with her has not yet fully become a reality. However, he holds onto hope, believing that time will eventually decide their fate and that they will spend their lives together as the world turns. He makes a solemn promise that he wants no one else but her. He emphasizes that no one else's touch or lips can make him feel the way hers do. The imagery becomes more intimate as he describes their hands interlocking and their lips meeting, creating a beautiful, albeit short, night together. He concludes with a final reassurance: they will be okay.

"Lo Que Siento" was self-released by Omar Banos, known as Cuco, in 2017. As a young, self-produced artist from Hawthorne, California, Cuco created the song in his bedroom, a hallmark of the 'bedroom pop' genre. This DIY approach is central to the song's intimate and authentic feel. Born to Mexican immigrant parents, Cuco's upbringing in a bicultural environment heavily influenced the song's bilingual nature. The track was a breakout single for him, gaining massive traction on streaming platforms and significantly boosting his career, ultimately allowing him to drop out of college to pursue music full-time. In an interview with Genius, Cuco explained the meanings behind specific lines, revealing the personal experiences and feelings that fueled the song. He mentioned that he's a very affectionate person who craves that connection, and the song reflects the sadness of not having it and the immense joy of finding it. The song's success was organic, built on its relatability and Cuco's honest songwriting, which resonated deeply with a young, diverse audience.

"Lo Que Siento" generally follows a free verse structure rather than a strict, consistent rhyme scheme. The focus is more on the conversational flow and emotional honesty of the lyrics than on intricate rhyming patterns. However, it does employ simple rhymes and near rhymes to create a sense of cohesion and musicality, such as "alone"/"home" and "gone"/"song".

The song's rhythm is characterized by a slow, steady tempo (around 87 BPM) and a laid-back beat, which contributes to its dreamy and relaxed feel. The rhythmic structure is simple, driven by a lo-fi drum machine pattern that provides a steady pulse without overpowering the melodic elements. The lyrical rhythm is conversational and flows naturally over the musical backing, with phrases often spilling over bar lines. This relaxed interplay between the vocal melody and the instrumental rhythm is a key component of the song's chillwave and bedroom pop aesthetic, enhancing its intimate and contemplative mood.

Literary Techniques:

• Direct Address: The song is written as a direct address to a lover, using words like "you," "baby," and "cariño," creating an intimate and personal conversational tone.
• Bilingualism: The code-switching between English and Spanish is a defining feature, used to express cultural identity and add emotional nuance.
• Simple Diction: The lyrics are intentionally simple and direct, avoiding elaborate poetry to convey raw, honest emotion, which is a key characteristic of the bedroom pop genre.

Musical Techniques:

• Instrumentation: The song is built on a foundation of "damp synthesizers" that create a dreamy, psychedelic atmosphere, combined with "chirpy rap drums" that provide a modern, lo-fi beat. The use of a soft trumpet melody adds a touch of classic, romantic flair, a nod to influences like Chet Baker.
• Vocal Delivery: Cuco's vocal style is relaxed, almost deadpan, yet emotionally sincere. This understated delivery enhances the song's intimacy and authenticity, making it feel like a personal confession rather than a polished performance.
• Production: As a self-produced track, it has a characteristic 'bedroom pop' sound—lo-fi, intimate, and warm. This production style makes the listener feel like they are in the room with the artist. The arrangement layers simple melodic lines from the synths and vocals over a steady, uncomplicated rhythm, creating a hypnotic and immersive soundscape.

"Lo Que Siento" was a viral sensation that catapulted Cuco from a local bedroom producer to a prominent figure in the indie and bedroom pop scenes. With millions of streams, it became his breakout hit, leading to a record deal with Interscope Records. The song's success was a testament to the power of independent, internet-driven music promotion. Its bicultural appeal and seamless blend of English and Spanish resonated deeply with a young, diverse, and particularly Latinx audience, making Cuco a 'Chicano Heartthrob' and an important voice for his generation. The song has been praised for its authentic representation of bicultural identity and has been featured in various media, solidifying its place in contemporary pop culture. Its influence is seen in the continued rise of bilingual artists and the popularization of the dreamy, lo-fi aesthetic in indie pop. The track remains a fan favorite and a cornerstone of Cuco's discography, celebrated for its raw emotion and cultural significance.

The song employs straightforward, heartfelt language over complex metaphors, but it contains significant symbolic elements:

• Bilingualism as Identity: The most prominent symbolic element is the effortless switching between English and Spanish. This isn't just a gimmick but a representation of Cuco's Chicano identity and the reality for many young people in bicultural communities. It symbolizes a world where emotions and identity transcend linguistic borders.
• 'Sueño' (Dream): The word 'sueño' is used literally as 'dream' but also metaphorically. The line "'Cause mi sueño no se ha hecho una realidad" (Because my dream hasn't become a reality) refers to the dream of being with his loved one, but also connects to the dream-like state of his career and the surreal feeling of falling in love. Cuco himself notes this dual meaning, linking the dream of the relationship to the dream of his musical journey.
• Flying: The lyric "I always feel like I'm flying, baby, you make me feel fine" is a common but effective metaphor for the euphoria and weightlessness of love. It conveys a sense of liberation and pure joy that his love interest brings him.
• The World Turning ('lo que el mundo gira'): This phrase suggests that their love is a constant, a certainty in a world that is always in motion. It grounds their personal, intimate feelings in a larger, universal context, implying their love is a natural and enduring force.

The most significant recurring motif in "Lo Que Siento" is the theme of dreaming and idealized love. This is explicitly mentioned in the opening line, "Dreamin' of you when I'm alone," and echoed in the Spanish line, "'Cause mi sueño no se ha hecho una realidad" (Because my dream hasn't become a reality). This motif establishes the song's romantic and somewhat wistful tone, highlighting the gap between the narrator's internal world of love and his external reality.

The phrase "Baby don't trip" and "Baby don't cry" acts as a recurring reassurance to his lover, emphasizing his commitment and creating a comforting, intimate dialogue within the song. The direct address 'Oye cariño, solo pienso en ti' ('Hey darling, I only think of you') is a central, tender phrase that encapsulates the song's devotion. Musically, the song is built around a recurring chord progression and a simple, memorable synth melody that creates a hypnotic, continuous loop, mirroring the persistent nature of the narrator's feelings.