LALA

"LALA" by Myke Towers is a song steeped in themes of seduction, desire, and carnal attraction, all set against the backdrop of a vibrant nightlife scene. On the surface, the lyrics describe an encounter with a woman on the dance floor, detailing the initial infatuation and the magnetic pull between them. However, the song's true meaning lies in its explicit undertones. The titular phrase, "Lala," is not just a catchy, repetitive hook; it's a direct and widely understood onomatopoeia for cunnilingus. Myke Towers himself has acknowledged the sensual nature of the lyrics, stating that while he can't be too explicit, listeners understand the meaning behind it. The song examines the dynamics of a flirtatious encounter, touching on feelings of affection and jealousy.

The narrative progresses from a public dance to a private, intimate act. The chorus, with lines like "Se le viran los ojo'" (Her eyes roll back) and "si yo bajo sabe qué le haré" (if I go down, she knows what I'll do), leaves little to the imagination. The song is a celebration of confident female sexuality and mutual desire, portraying the woman as an active participant who is "calling my attention because she wants me to do it." This straightforward and hedonistic approach is a hallmark of the modern reggaeton genre.

The song narrates an immediate and intense attraction that begins on the dance floor. The singer is captivated by a woman from the moment he sees her and falls for her completely as they dance. She is portrayed as confident and equally interested, pressing herself against him and signaling her desire. The narrative is one of mutual seduction, where actions speak louder than words. He admires everything about her, from her red lipstick to the way her waist moves, and expresses a desire to elevate their connection, offering to pick her up and take their encounter to the next level.

Throughout the track, the artist asserts his own confidence and status, noting that his presence is always felt when he enters a room. He reminisces about his long-standing success and how the woman he's with looks even better in person than in pictures. The story unfolds in a club-like setting, fueled by red wine and a sense of spontaneity. The woman is depicted as independent and in control, someone who handles her own affairs but is intentionally capturing his attention because she wants him to make a move. This dynamic creates a playful tension, a game of cat and mouse where both participants are willing players.

The central theme becomes more explicit as the song progresses. The lyrics move from the public space of the dance floor to a more private and intimate fantasy. The artist describes a palpable connection, suggesting they should escape the prying eyes of others. There's a sense of inevitability to their union, a chemistry that cannot be ignored. A key metaphor is introduced, referencing basketball player Carmelo Anthony and his ex-wife La La Anthony, casting himself as the devoted partner to her star power. This reference is intertwined with the most direct and sensual part of the song, where the recurring "La-la-la-la-la-la" chorus is heavily implied to be an onomatopoeia for oral sex. The narrative culminates in this intimate act, where her pleasure is evident as her "eyes roll back." The song concludes by reinforcing this theme, stating he has her completely captivated and that she is aroused simply by watching him as he performs this act for her.

"LALA" was a track on Myke Towers' fourth studio album, LA VIDA ES UNA, released on March 23, 2023. Interestingly, it was the 22nd track on the 23-song album and was one of the last songs added. The beat originated in late 2020 when producer YannC of Full Harmony found a vocal sample of a woman chanting "la la" hypnotically. He and fellow producer Chalko built a beat around it with a mid-2010s reggaetón rhythm and vintage synths. In 2022, YannC sent a pack of beats to Towers, who was on his way to a tour in Spain. Towers immediately recognized the track's potential, getting the initial idea for the intro automatically. He further developed the song in Milan, Italy, where the album was being finalized.

Despite being an album cut, "LALA" went viral on TikTok in late June and early July 2023, several months after its initial release. The trend involved users making a specific tongue movement, alluding to the song's explicit meaning. This viral moment catapulted the song to massive commercial success, leading to its official release as a single on July 27, 2023. A music video, directed by Aitana Sainz and Gus Carballo and starring Spanish actress María Pedraza (known from Netflix's Élite), was shot in Jávea, Spain, and released the same day.

"LALA" is built on a classic reggaetón dembow rhythm, which provides a consistent, mid-tempo, and highly danceable foundation. The rhythm is hypnotic and central to the song's appeal, designed for the club scene. The song's rhythmic structure is straightforward, prioritizing groove and catchiness over complexity.

The rhyme scheme is typical for the genre, often employing assonant (vowel) rhymes and a relatively simple structure to maintain a smooth, conversational flow. For instance, in the first verse, Towers rhymes "menor" with "mejor," and "pidió" with "quinto" and "KYMCO" (a slant rhyme). The pre-chorus uses a clear A-A rhyme with "paga" and "apaga." This consistent but not overly rigid rhyme scheme allows the lyrics to feel natural while still providing musical cohesion. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the underlying dembow beat is seamless, with Towers' vocal cadence syncing perfectly with the infectious pulse of the track.

Musically, "LALA" employs a style reminiscent of mid-2000s reggaetón, characterized by its steady, danceable dembow rhythm. The production, handled by YannC El Armónico and Chalko, is built around a hypnotic female vocal sample chanting "la la," which serves as the song's main hook. This is layered with what are described as "melosos sintetizadores" (mellow synthesizers) that create a playful and sensual atmosphere.

Lyrically, the song uses a direct, narrative voice that is common in urbano music, telling a story of seduction. Towers' vocal delivery is smooth and confident, effortlessly flowing over the beat. The primary literary technique is the use of euphemism and onomatopoeia in the chorus ("La-la-la-la-la-la"), which cleverly veils and simultaneously highlights the song's explicit subject matter, making it both radio-friendly and suggestive. The song's structure is built to be incredibly catchy, relying on the repetitive and memorable chorus to anchor the track.

"LALA" had a massive cultural impact, primarily driven by its viral explosion on TikTok months after its initial album release. The song became a global phenomenon, reaching the #1 spot on Spotify's Top 50 Global chart and Billboard's Global Excl. U.S. chart. It also peaked at #3 on the main Global Billboard 200 chart. The track amassed hundreds of millions of streams and generated over six million video creations on TikTok, cementing its status as a major party anthem worldwide.

The song topped Spotify charts in numerous countries, including Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico, and received a triple platinum certification from the RIAA in the US. Its success significantly boosted the profile of the album LA VIDA ES UNA and solidified Myke Towers' position as a leading artist in the global urbano scene. The official music video, featuring popular Spanish actress Maria Pedraza, further amplified its reach. The song's success was so significant that it was seen as a crossover hit, broadening Towers' audience and conquering new markets.

The most significant symbolic element in "LALA" is the titular phrase itself. It functions as an onomatopoeia and a euphemism for oral sex, specifically the movement of the tongue. This turns a seemingly innocent, catchy hook into the song's central, explicit theme.

Another key lyrical metaphor is the line, "Yo, tu Carmelo, y tú, mi La La" (I'm your Carmelo, and you're my La La). This is a direct reference to the former celebrity couple, NBA star Carmelo Anthony and television personality La La Anthony. By casting himself as Carmelo and his lover as La La, Towers frames their relationship in terms of a high-profile, iconic partnership, adding a layer of glamour and devotion to their otherwise purely physical encounter. It grounds the fantasy in a real-world cultural touchstone.

The mention of "pintalabio' rojo" (red lipstick) is a classic symbol of sensuality and passion, enhancing the vivid imagery of the woman he desires.

The most prominent and defining recurring element in the song is the hook: "La-la-la-la-la-la". This simple, melodic phrase is repeated extensively throughout the song, functioning as the main chorus and the song's title. Its repetition makes the song incredibly memorable and is the core of its viral success. Its significance lies in its double meaning; it's both a catchy, sing-along melody and a direct, sensual onomatopoeia.

Another recurring lyrical motif is the description of the woman's physical attributes and reactions, such as her "pintalabio' rojo" (red lipstick) and the fact that "se le viran los ojo'" (her eyes roll back). These repeated images reinforce the song's focus on physical attraction and the pleasure he is providing. The phrase "Tú quieres, mami" (You want it, mommy) is also repeated, emphasizing the theme of mutual desire.