Ay Vamos

"Ay Vamos" by J Balvin explores the theme of a cyclical and passionate romantic relationship. The core meaning revolves around a couple that constantly goes through a pattern of arguing and reconciling. The lyrics, "Peleamos, nos arreglamos, nos mantenemos en esa, pero nos amamos" ("We fight, we make up, we stay in that state, but we love each other"), serve as the song's thesis. It's a candid admission that their love is not peaceful or perfect, but it is strong and enduring. The song suggests that this dynamic, while chaotic, is their unique way of loving each other. It moves beyond a simple love song to portray a more realistic, if volatile, connection where passion manifests as both conflict and intense affection. The overall message is one of acceptance and perseverance; despite the daily drama, the fundamental love they share compels them to continue, to say, "Ay vamos" or "Here we go."

The narrative of the song unfolds from the perspective of a man in a passionate, albeit tumultuous, relationship. It begins with him acknowledging a recurring point of contention: his girlfriend gets upset and complains whenever he doesn't call her. This often leads to arguments and fights, setting the stage for their volatile dynamic. However, this tension is consistently resolved. He describes coming home at night, and through playful pestering and affection, they always make up. This cycle is the core of their relationship, a pattern they are both aware of and participate in. The central hook, "Peleamos, nos arreglamos, nos mantenemos en esa pero nos amamos, ay vamos," which translates to "We fight, we make up, we stay in that state but we love each other, here we go," perfectly encapsulates this endless loop. It's a declaration of their unconventional love story.

He then reflects on the depth of his feelings, expressing how devastating it would be to not have her in his life. He reassures her about his fidelity and commitment, even when they are apart. He explains that his time away, spent solving problems "on the street," is for the benefit of their shared future, and he doesn't understand her jealousy. He admits he's not a saint but clarifies he isn't involved in anything bad; when he's not with her, he's simply with his friends ("panas"). He attributes their magnetic pull to their opposing personalities, suggesting that this very contrast is what made them fall in love. It's a situation they've accepted, summed up by the sentiment, "What more can we do if this is how we fell in love?"

In the latter part of the song, he directly addresses her insecurities. He pleads with her not to be so jealous, telling her to calm down because his tears of distress always move him. He makes a promise of loyalty, singing, "Nena, nena, tranquilícese, que en la calle a nadie besé, yo solo tengo ojos pa' usted," which means, "Baby, baby, calm down, I didn't kiss anyone on the street, I only have eyes for you." He urges her to relax and not to worry. The song reinforces that despite the daily drama—the fights and the reconciliations—their love is the constant that keeps them going. The phrase "Ay vamos" acts as a cheerful, forward-looking mantra, a commitment to continue navigating their chaotic love together because the connection they share is ultimately worth it.

"Ay Vamos" was written by J Balvin (José Álvaro Osorio Balvin), René Cano (Bull Nene), Alejandro "Mosty" Patiño, and Alejandro "Sky" Ramírez. It was produced by Sky and Mosty. The song was released on July 22, 2014, as the lead single for the reissue of his second studio album, titled "La Familia B Sides". This track was a pivotal moment in J Balvin's career, solidifying his position in the Latin urban market following the success of his previous single "6 AM". It became his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Song in 2015, significantly boosting his international profile. A popular remix featuring Nicky Jam and French Montana was later included on the soundtrack for the film "Furious 7".

The rhythmic foundation of "Ay Vamos" is the classic dembow beat, a syncopated 4/4 rhythm that is central to reggaeton and drives the song's danceable quality. The tempo is upbeat, around 87 BPM (or 174 in double time), encouraging movement. The song's rhyme scheme is straightforward and effective, often using simple AABB patterns and assonant rhymes common in urban pop music, which contributes to its catchy nature. For example, in the lines "Cuando no la llamo / Siempre me hace reclamo" ("When I don't call her / She always complains"), the -amo rhyme is established and carried through the chorus ("arreglamos," "amamos," "vamos"). The lyrical rhythm is tightly woven with the musical beat; Balvin's vocal phrasing often follows the dembow pattern, making the lyrics flow naturally and rhythmically over the instrumentation.

Musically, "Ay Vamos" is built on a foundational dembow rhythm, characteristic of reggaeton, but with a polished, pop-oriented production that made it accessible to a wider audience. The melody is catchy and more sung than rapped, a stylistic choice that J Balvin helped popularize, moving reggaeton towards a more melodic and romantic sound. J Balvin's vocal delivery is laid-back, conversational, and smooth, which contrasts with the song's theme of conflict, creating a relaxed, danceable feel. Lyrically, the song employs direct, colloquial language and heavy repetition, particularly in the chorus. This makes the song highly memorable and anthemic. The use of rhetorical questions like "¿qué más le vamos a hacer si así nos enamoramos?" ("what else are we going to do if this is how we fell in love?") serves to underscore the theme of acceptance of their relationship's nature.

"Ay Vamos" was a landmark song that had a significant cultural impact, cementing J Balvin's status as a global superstar and helping to lead a "second-generation reggaeton revolution". It became his first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and won the 2015 Latin Grammy for Best Urban Song. The music video was a viral sensation, becoming one of the most-watched Latin music videos of all time and the first by a reggaeton artist to surpass one billion views on YouTube. This massive success helped push reggaeton further into the global mainstream, demonstrating the commercial power of a more melodic, pop-infused style of the genre. The song also received a Diamond (Latin) certification from the RIAA. Its inclusion on the "Furious 7" soundtrack further expanded its reach to a non-Spanish-speaking audience.

The primary symbolism in "Ay Vamos" is the cyclical nature of the relationship, which acts as a metaphor for a passionate but imperfect love. The recurring phrase "Peleamos, nos arreglamos" ("We fight, we make up") is not just a description but a symbol of their entire dynamic. It represents a love that thrives on a certain level of intensity and drama, where the make-up is as significant as the fight itself. The title phrase, "Ay vamos" ("Here we go"), functions as a mantra of resilience and acceptance. It symbolizes the couple's conscious decision to push forward together, embracing their chaotic pattern rather than trying to change it. Furthermore, the line "Somos polos opuestos y por eso nos gustamos" ("We are polar opposites and that's why we like each other") uses the classic metaphor of opposite poles attracting to explain their chemistry, suggesting their conflicts are an inherent and essential part of their connection.

The most significant recurring motif in "Ay Vamos" is the chorus: "Peleamos, nos arreglamos, nos mantenemos en esa pero nos amamos, ay vamos." This line is the heart of the song, repeated multiple times to drill home the central theme of a love-hate, cyclical relationship. Its repetition acts as both a narrative summary and an incredibly effective musical hook. Another recurring phrase is "Qué pena me daría, no tenerte en mi vida, vida mía" ("What a shame it would be, not to have you in my life, my life"), which follows the main hook. This recurring sentiment provides emotional context, clarifying that despite the constant fighting, the thought of losing the person is unbearable, thus justifying why they continue the cycle. The phrase "Nena, nena, tranquilícese" ("Baby, baby, calm down") also reappears, highlighting the reassuring part of their reconciliation phase.