Un Día (One Day)

"Un Día (One Day)" delves into the intricate emotions following a breakup, focusing on themes of nostalgia, longing, and the hope for reconciliation. The song is a bilingual conversation between former partners, each expressing their perspective on the separation and the possibility of reuniting. Dua Lipa's verses in English convey a sense of hurt and hesitation, questioning the ex-lover's sincerity while also holding onto the belief that they will one day regret their decision and return. J Balvin and Bad Bunny's Spanish verses explore the pain of absence and the deep-seated hope for another chance, painting a picture of a love that was more than just a fleeting romance. The core message is the conviction that their bond was so significant that the person who left will eventually realize their mistake and come back, understanding that what they had was more than love; it was a profound friendship. The song captures that universal feeling of being unable to move on completely, holding onto the memories of a past love with the belief that it's not truly over.

The narrative of the song unfolds as a dialogue and internal monologue between former lovers, exploring the complex emotional landscape left in the wake of a breakup. It captures a poignant sense of nostalgia, regret, and a lingering hope for reconciliation. The story begins with a hesitant reflection on the past relationship. There's a clear acknowledgment of the pain and a desire to avoid repeating past mistakes, a sentiment of not wanting to 'fall again.' The lyrics convey a feeling of being overwhelmed and 'drowning' in the emotional turmoil of the separation, where love was questioned and ultimately felt insufficient. There's a sense of being 'tied up' by the memories and the unresolved feelings.

A significant portion of the song is dedicated to the theme of eventual realization and return. The protagonist confidently predicts that 'one day,' the ex-lover will experience the same depth of feeling and regret. This imagined future involves the ex-lover knocking on their door, finally understanding the profound connection they shared, a love that transcended mere romance to become a deep friendship. This recurring phrase, 'one day you'll love me again,' serves as the song's emotional anchor, a mantra of hope and conviction in the face of current heartache.

The song then shifts perspective, offering an invitation to escape and reconnect. A journey to a beautiful, secluded place like 'Turks and Caicos' is proposed, a symbolic fresh start away from the complications of their past. This section of the narrative is filled with a sense of intimacy and a desire to rekindle the physical and emotional closeness they once shared. The lyrics emphasize the difficulty of being apart, reinforcing the idea that they are meant for each other. It's a plea to not let their bond fade, a promise of eternal connection.

Another voice enters the narrative, adding a layer of raw, unfiltered emotion. This perspective admits to the internal conflict of trying to move on while still being haunted by memories. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a life that has continued but feels incomplete. There's a confession of keeping others at a distance, of a world that keeps spinning, yet the memory of a kiss in a specific place like 'London' remains potent. The imagery of 'sun, beach, and sand' is invoked, a classic romantic trope, but it's tinged with the pain of the ex-partner's absence, which feels like a physical blow. This section culminates in an admission of being in a state of 'depression,' smoking alone in a room, highlighting the profound impact of the separation.

Ultimately, the song circles back to its central theme of hope and the belief in an eventual reunion. The repetition of 'one day' reinforces the certainty of this future. It's a powerful declaration that the love they shared was unique and irreplaceable, a connection that was more than just being lovers but also being true friends. The narrative concludes on this hopeful note, leaving the listener with the feeling that despite the present pain and distance, the story of their love is not truly over.

The concept for "Un Día (One Day)" originated with producer Tainy in January 2019. He and his NEON16 partner Lex Borrero executive produced the track. Tainy first brought the idea to J Balvin, who then reached out to Dua Lipa to be part of the collaboration, an artist he had long dreamed of working with. Bad Bunny was the final artist to join the project, recording his part during the same session where he and Tainy wrote their 2019 hit "Callaíta". The song was recorded in 2019 and written by a team including the four main artists (J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy), along with Alejandro Borrero, Clarence Coffee Jr., Daystar Peterson (Tory Lanez), and Ivanni Rodriguez. There was speculation about the collaboration in May 2020 after a short clip of Lipa singing over a reggaeton beat leaked online. The song was officially released on July 23, 2020, by Universal Music Group. The collaboration was a significant crossover event, bringing together major figures from the Latin and pop music worlds.

The song's rhythmic structure is a gentle, mid-tempo dembow beat characteristic of reggaeton, but softened and infused with the four-on-the-floor pulse of house music. This creates a feeling of melancholic introspection that one can still move to. The tempo is steady, providing a consistent foundation for the emotional ebb and flow of the vocals. The lyrical rhythm varies between the artists. Dua Lipa's English verses have a smooth, pop-oriented flow, while J Balvin and Bad Bunny employ a more rhythmic, syncopated delivery typical of Spanish-language rap and reggaeton. The rhyme scheme is not strictly formal, leaning more towards a free verse structure with occasional end rhymes to punctuate phrases and create memorable hooks, such as in the chorus sung by Lipa. The interplay between the English and Spanish lyrical rhythms contributes to the song's unique bilingual texture and cross-cultural appeal.

"Un Día (One Day)" is a masterful blend of musical and lyrical styles, showcasing a unique fusion of genres and vocal approaches. Musically, it combines elements of house music, Latin pop, and reggaeton, layered with dream pop melodies and dancehall influences. This creates a midtempo, melancholic yet danceable track built around a somber piano riff. A key literary technique is the call and response between Dua Lipa and J Balvin, who voice the two sides of the broken relationship, one in English and the other in Spanish, enhancing the conversational and dual-perspective nature of the lyrics. Bad Bunny's verse acts as a narrative bridge, offering a more hopeful and forward-looking perspective. His verse also includes an interpolation of Tito El Bambino and Jadiel's 2007 reggaeton song "Sol, Playa y Arena," a stylistic choice that grounds the track in Latin music history while adding a layer of nostalgic reference.

"Un Día (One Day)" was a significant global collaboration, bringing together major stars from the English-language pop world and the Latin music scene. The song achieved considerable commercial success and critical acclaim, noted for its seamless fusion of genres. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. The track also received nominations at the Premios Juventud and the MTV Video Music Awards. It was featured on year-end "best of" lists by prominent publications like Billboard and Rolling Stone. The music video, starring Úrsula Corberó from the popular Netflix series 'Money Heist', also garnered significant attention and was nominated for awards. The song appeared on J Balvin's album 'Jose' and the reissue of Dua Lipa's 'Future Nostalgia: The Moonlight Edition', cementing its place in the discographies of these major artists.

The music video for "Un Día (One Day)," directed by Stillz and starring Spanish actress Úrsula Corberó, is rich with symbolism that complements the song's lyrical themes. The black-and-white cinematography evokes a sense of nostalgia and the stark emotional landscape of heartbreak. Corberó's character, isolated and going through a range of emotions alone in her home, represents the internal struggle and loneliness that follows a breakup. The video uses symbolic imagery like eternal flames and the contrast of light and darkness to represent enduring passion and the hope for a brighter future amidst the pain. The entire visual narrative, which doesn't feature the artists themselves, focuses on the universal experience of longing and the emotional journey from despair to finding a glimmer of happiness, thus symbolizing the song's central message of hope for reconciliation 'one day'.

The most significant recurring motif in "Un Día (One Day)" is the titular phrase itself, which acts as the song's central lyrical and emotional hook. Repeated by Dua Lipa in the chorus, the lines "One day you'll love me again / One day you'll love me for sure / One day you'll wake up feelin' how I've been feelin'" encapsulate the song's core theme of hopeful longing. This repetition drills home the narrator's unwavering belief in an eventual reconciliation. It's a powerful and memorable refrain that conveys both vulnerability and a strange kind of certainty. Another recurring idea is the concept that the relationship was "more than your lover, I'm your friend," which also appears in the chorus. This phrase elevates the past connection beyond simple romance, suggesting a deeper, more meaningful bond that the narrator believes is worth salvaging and is the reason their ex will ultimately return.