Dile a El

"Dile a Él" (which translates to "Tell Him") delves into the complex and painful emotions following a breakup where one partner has moved on. The song's core meaning revolves around jealousy, possessiveness, and the struggle to accept that a former lover is with someone new. The protagonist insists that his ex-girlfriend tell her new partner about his precedence in her life, asserting his importance by stating, "tell him that before everything I was first." This isn't just about chronology, but about the depth and impact of their connection, which he believes cannot be replicated. He expresses skepticism about her professed lack of feelings, suggesting she still physically yearns for him ("You say that you don't love me, but you miss my bed"). The song captures the internal conflict between holding on to the past and the eventual, painful realization that he must let her go.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of a man grappling with the reality of his ex-girlfriend moving on with someone new. He directly addresses her, urging her to confess to her new partner that he was the first, holding a significant place in her past. There's a palpable sense of disbelief and hurt as he challenges her claims of no longer loving him, countering that her physical longing for him betrays her words. He's convinced she misses the intimacy they shared, specifically referencing 'my bed.' The lyrics paint a picture of his own turmoil and difficulty in moving on; he mentions learning things 'the hard way' and sleepless nights, with a full ashtray as a testament to his restlessness. He reminisces about their passionate moments, questioning if her new lover can ever compare to the connection they had. He asks if his name is still metaphorically 'marked on her skin,' a powerful image of a bond that cannot be easily erased. Despite the bravado and the claims of being 'first,' there's an undercurrent of vulnerability and resignation. The song concludes with a moment of bittersweet acceptance. He acknowledges that he must let her go, repeating the phrase 'I have to let you fly' and a somber reflection, 'I was born alone, I die alone.' This ending suggests a painful but necessary step towards his own emotional closure, even as he clings to the memory and significance of their shared history.

"Dile a Él" is a track from Rauw Alejandro's debut studio album, Afrodisíaco, released in 2020. The song was officially released as the sixth single from the album on February 3, 2021. It was written by Rauw Alejandro himself (under his birth name, Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz). The production was a collaborative effort handled by Eydren con el Ritmo, Caleb Calloway, Alejandro himself, and notably, the acclaimed Spanish singer Rosalía, who also provided uncredited background vocals. Rauw Alejandro described the song as being inspired by 'old school reggaeton' and highlighted the collaboration with Rosalía as creating an 'amazing song' and a 'great experience.' The accompanying music video, directed by Alfred Marroquín, was filmed in Miami and released simultaneously with the single.

"Dile a Él" follows a rhythmic structure typical of modern reggaeton but with a slower, more deliberate tempo that aligns with its ballad-like quality. The dembow beat is present but subdued, allowing the emotional weight of the vocals and melody to take center stage. The lyrical rhythm often features a conversational flow, particularly in the verses, which then transitions into a more melodic and structured pattern in the chorus. The rhyme scheme is not strictly rigid but utilizes a combination of perfect and slant rhymes to maintain lyrical cohesion. For instance, in the verse, "aprender" rhymes with "prender," and "nada" with "almohada," creating a sense of musicality that carries the narrative forward. The interplay between the syncopated vocal rhythms and the steady beat creates a compelling tension that mirrors the emotional conflict described in the lyrics.

Musically, "Dile a Él" is characterized as a mid-tempo, 'dark' reggaeton ballad. This stylistic choice sets a somber, introspective mood that complements the lyrical themes of heartbreak and jealousy. The production, co-handled by Rosalía, features a down-tempo outro that enhances the melancholic feeling. Rauw Alejandro's vocal delivery is emotive, conveying a sense of pain and longing. Lyrically, the song uses a direct narrative voice, addressing the ex-girlfriend in the second person, which creates a personal and intimate atmosphere. The use of rhetorical questions, such as "¿Que ya no piensa' en mí?" ("You don't think of me anymore?"), serves to highlight his disbelief and inner turmoil. The repetition of the chorus acts as a powerful hook, drilling the central message of the song into the listener's mind.

Upon its release, "Dile a Él" received positive reviews from music critics, with some describing it as one of the most 'spectacular songs' on the Afrodisíaco album. The song achieved notable commercial performance, peaking at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and number 59 in Spain. It was certified platinum in Spain by PROMUSICAE. The track's popularity cemented Rauw Alejandro's versatility, showing he could veer from sensual R&B to embrace his reggaeton roots, a point highlighted when Rolling Stone included it in their list of his 10 Essential Songs. The song was also a staple on the setlists for his major tours, including The Rauw Alejandro World Tour and the Vice Versa Tour, indicating its significance within his discography and its popularity with his fanbase.

The song employs powerful imagery to convey its emotional weight. The central recurring line, "dile a él que, ante' que todo, yo fui primero" ("tell him that before everything, I was first"), acts as a symbolic assertion of his indelible mark on her life. It's not just a statement of fact but a metaphor for the depth and primacy of their connection. Another significant metaphor is the question, "Si mi nombre en tu piel marcado se quedó" ("If my name remained marked on your skin"). This evokes the idea of a permanent, almost physical imprint left by their relationship, suggesting a bond that transcends the physical and cannot be erased by a new lover. The act of telling her to "Abre tus alas, tengo que dejarte volar" ("Spread your wings, I have to let you fly") symbolizes his painful but necessary act of letting her go, framing her as a bird that he must set free, despite his desire to keep her.

The most prominent recurring phrase is the chorus: "Tú dices que no me amas, pero extrañas mi cama. Bebé, tú dile a él que, ante' que todo, yo fui primero" ("You say you don't love me, but you miss my bed. Baby, tell him that before everything, I was first"). This refrain is the song's emotional and thematic anchor, repeated multiple times to emphasize the protagonist's central argument and his refusal to believe his ex has completely moved on. The motif of being "primero" (first) is crucial, establishing his sense of pride and the unique significance he places on their shared history. Another recurring idea is the questioning of the new lover's ability to compare, captured in the line "Dime si él te lo hace como yo" ("Tell me if he does it for you like me"), which reappears to underscore his feelings of jealousy and confidence in their past intimacy.