Calma

"Calma" by Pedro Capó is a heartfelt ode to tranquility, simplicity, and the joy of living in the present moment. The song's core message is an invitation to disconnect from the chaos and stress of daily life and reconnect with nature, loved ones, and oneself. The lyrics advocate for a slower, more deliberate way of life, summed up in the recurring phrase 'lento y contento' (slow and happy). It's about finding happiness not in material possessions or grand achievements, but in simple pleasures like watching a sunset, walking on the beach, and sharing a coffee with someone you love. Capó uses the imagery of the Puerto Rican beach as a central metaphor for this state of peace, a place to 'heal the soul' ('curarte el alma'). The song is also a celebration of Puerto Rican culture, from mentioning the local Medalla beer to using regional slang, painting a warm, inviting picture of the island's easygoing lifestyle. In a broader sense, Capó mentioned the song is a way to remember that calm always comes after the storm, subtly referencing Puerto Rico's recovery after Hurricane Maria.

The song begins with the simple, gentle awakening to a new day. Seeing a loved one first thing in the morning, with four hugs and a cup of coffee, brings an immediate sense of fulfillment. It's a profound realization that everything one could ever need is found in this shared moment, in the simple act of holding hands and watching the sunset together. This feeling of completeness inspires a desire to escape the routine and reconnect with nature and each other.

This leads to an invitation, an urge to head to the beach to heal the soul. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this escape: turning off screens, like phones and televisions, and instead opening a Medalla, a popular Puerto Rican beer. The setting is the vast Caribbean Sea, where the sight of a partner's dancing waistline is the main focus. Her playful, flirtatious nature is described with the local slang 'busca bullas', someone who stirs things up in a charming way. This scene is one of pure, unadulterated enjoyment.

The central mantra of the song is to take life 'lento y contento,' slow and happy, with one's face to the wind. This refrain emphasizes a philosophy of savoring the present moment without rush or worry. It’s a call to embrace a laid-back, joyful existence, where the simple pleasures are the most valuable.

The chorus reinforces this core message, repeating the plea for 'calma' or calm. It suggests that with calmness and togetherness, nothing is lacking. Whether walking hand-in-hand or dancing together, the shared experience is what makes life complete. The repetition of 'calma, mi vida, con calma' acts as a soothing reassurance, a reminder that peace is found in companionship and a relaxed pace.

The song is a celebration of a specific lifestyle and place. It’s a postcard from Puerto Rico, capturing its essence through sensory details: the warm sun, the sand on the feet, the taste of beer, and the rhythm of the waves. It’s about finding paradise not in a distant, exotic location, but in the here and now, in the company of a loved one, and in the simple, beautiful culture of the Caribbean.

"Calma" was written by Pedro Capó alongside co-writers George Noriega and Gabriel Edgar Gonzalez Perez. The song was composed in Miami, Florida, during a relaxed writing session where the intention wasn't to create a commercial single but simply to have fun and create a song that 'felt good'. Capó has stated that the song was deeply inspired by his personal memories, particularly of going to the beach with his mother on Sundays as a child in Puerto Rico. It was conceived as a 'postcard' of the island, aiming to capture the calm, Caribbean vibe and the local philosophy of life. Capó felt he had a special song due to his personal connection to its themes of simplicity and finding joy in accessible blessings, but he never anticipated its global success. The original version was released on July 20, 2018. After its release, the song organically gained viral traction online. This led to reggaeton star Farruko hearing it, connecting with it personally, and reaching out to Capó on Instagram to propose a remix. The remix, which added a reggaeton beat and Farruko's vocals, was released on October 5, 2018, and catapulted the song to international fame. Subsequently, another remix featuring Alicia Keys was released on April 19, 2019, after she heard the song on vacation and wanted to be part of it, further expanding its reach into English-speaking markets.

"Calma" features a simple, effective rhyme scheme that contributes to its catchy and easy-going nature. The verses often follow an AABB or ABCB pattern, making the lyrics fluid and memorable. For example, in the opening lines, 'café' rhymes with 'desperté', and 'recordé' with 'encontré'. The chorus uses repetition and rhyme to create a powerful hook: 'Calma, mi vida, con calma / Que nada hace falta si estamos juntitos andando'. The rhythm of the original song is relaxed and follows a classic, slow-to-mid-tempo reggae beat. This syncopated, off-beat rhythm encourages a gentle sway rather than energetic dancing, perfectly matching the lyrical theme of taking things slow. The vocal melody often syncs with this relaxed rhythm, with Capó's phrasing flowing smoothly over the instrumentation. The Farruko remix introduces the characteristic dem-bow rhythm of reggaeton, giving the song a more pronounced and danceable pulse while still maintaining the 'lento y contento' feel of the chorus.

Musically, "Calma" blends several styles. The original version is primarily a Latin pop song with a strong reggae influence, evident in its relaxed tempo, off-beat guitar chords (skank), and laid-back groove. This creates a tranquil, beach-like atmosphere. The vocal delivery by Capó is smooth and melodic, enhancing the song's gentle feel. The instrumentation is centered around acoustic guitar, simple percussion, and a warm bassline. The Farruko remix infuses a classic reggaeton beat (dem-bow rhythm) and production elements, making it more dance-oriented while retaining the original's melodic core. This fusion of pop, reggae, and reggaeton proved to be a key factor in its widespread appeal. Lyrically, the song uses a conversational and direct narrative voice, inviting the listener into the scene. It employs vivid imagery ('sentir la arena en los pies' - 'to feel the sand on the feet') and specific cultural references (Medalla beer, chinchorrear) to create a strong sense of place. The use of Puerto Rican slang like 'busca bullas' adds authenticity and local color.

"Calma" became a massive global phenomenon, particularly after the release of the Farruko remix. The remix topped the charts in numerous countries across Latin America and Europe, including Italy, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. The music video for the remix is one of the most-watched on YouTube, having amassed over 2 billion views. The song's success was a significant moment in the Latin music explosion of the late 2010s, following in the footsteps of hits like "Despacito". It won two Latin Grammy Awards in 2019: Song of the Year for the original version and Best Urban/Fusion Performance for the Farruko remix. The song's popularity led to a second high-profile remix featuring Alicia Keys, which introduced the track to a wider English-speaking audience and further solidified its global status. It has been featured in countless playlists, commercials, and social media videos, becoming a universal anthem for summer, relaxation, and travel. For Pedro Capó, who had been in the music industry for over a decade, "Calma" was a career-defining hit that catapulted him to international stardom.

The song "Calma" is rich with symbolism, primarily centered around the beach and the sea.

• The Beach/Sea: This is the most dominant symbol, representing a place of healing, escape, and a return to a natural, simple state of being. The line 'Vamo' pa' la playa, pa' curarte el alma' ('Let's go to the beach to heal your soul') explicitly casts the beach as a therapeutic space. It symbolizes a mental and emotional paradise that is accessible to everyone, a place to wash away stress and reconnect with what's truly important.
• 'Cierra la pantalla, abre la Medalla' ('Close the screen, open the Medalla'): This line is a direct metaphor for disconnecting from the digital, hectic world ('la pantalla' or the screen) and embracing the tangible, present moment ('la Medalla', a Puerto Rican beer). It’s a call to put away distractions and engage with the real world and simple pleasures.
• 'Lento y contento, cara al viento' ('Slow and happy, face to the wind'): This phrase acts as the song's central mantra and a metaphor for a life philosophy. It symbolizes living life at a relaxed pace, finding joy in the journey rather than rushing towards a destination, and facing life with an open and receptive attitude.

The most significant recurring motif in "Calma" is the word 'calma' (calm) itself, which appears throughout the song, most notably in the chorus: 'Calma, mi vida, con calma / que nada hace falta si estamos juntitos andando' ('Calm, my love, with calm / that nothing is missing if we are walking together'). This phrase functions as the song's central thesis, a mantra advocating for a peaceful and appreciative approach to life and love. Another key recurring phrase is 'Lento y contento, cara al viento' ('Slow and happy, face to the wind'), which encapsulates the song's core philosophy of savoring the moment. The invitation 'Vamo' pa' la playa, pa' curarte el alma' ('Let's go to the beach, to heal your soul') is a recurring lyrical hook that establishes the setting and the song's therapeutic theme. These repeated phrases are not just catchy but are foundational to the song's structure and its simple, powerful message of relaxation and connection.