Acróstico - Milan + Sasha

"Acróstico" is a deeply emotional and sincere ode to maternal love, dedicated to Shakira's two sons, Milan and Sasha. The song's primary meaning revolves around the unconditional and healing power of the bond between a mother and her children, especially in the wake of hardship and emotional turmoil, referencing her separation from Gerard Piqué. The lyrics convey a message of resilience, strength, and hope, explaining that her children are her primary motivation to remain strong and find happiness. The title itself, "Acróstico" (Acrostic), is a key to its meaning; the first letter of each line in the verses spells out the names of her sons, "MILAN" in the first verse and "SASHA" in the second, making the dedication explicit and poetically woven into the song's fabric. It's a departure from her recent songs of anger and heartbreak, focusing instead on a different, more profound kind of love that provides solace and purpose. Shakira teaches her sons about forgiveness and facing problems directly, while acknowledging that their love is the "anesthesia" for her pain.

The song unfolds as a deeply personal and heartfelt letter from a mother to her children. It begins with an acknowledgment of a profound lesson learned from them: that true love is real and enduring, not a deception. The mother admits she tried to shield her children from her own sorrow and fragility, but concedes that life doesn't always follow the paths we dream of. Despite the unforeseen turns and the feeling of running without reaching a destination, she offers an unwavering promise of her constant presence and support. Her love for them is a powerful force that provides anesthesia to her pain and makes her feel whole. She wants nothing more than their happiness and assures them she is there for whatever they may need.

The narrative then shifts to themes of resilience and forgiveness, addressing the aftermath of a painful separation. Using the metaphor of a broken plate versus an entire set of dishes, she suggests that while there has been damage, not everything is lost. She confesses that turning the other cheek is not in her nature, yet she understands the wisdom in learning to forgive. This is a lesson she imparts to her children, hoping that only love will emanate from their lips. She encourages them to repair what is broken rather than discarding it, to confront problems head-on, and to find laughter in life even when wounds are still fresh. This message is intertwined with the central theme that her children’s love is what heals her and gives her strength. Their smiles are her weakness, and their presence completes her, reinforcing the idea that this maternal bond is the ultimate source of her power and purpose.

"Acróstico" was released on May 11, 2023, as the third single from Shakira's twelfth studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024). The song was co-written by Shakira, Keityn, Luis Fernando Ochoa, and L.E.X.U.Z, with Shakira and L.E.X.U.Z also handling production. The creation of the song was deeply personal, inspired by Shakira's experiences following her public separation from Gerard Piqué and her role as a mother. According to Shakira, her sons Milan and Sasha played a direct role in the song's final form. During a studio visit, they heard the song she had written for them and asked to be a part of it. Both sons sing on the track and appear in the music video playing the piano alongside their mother. Shakira shared that Milan has been writing songs that bring her to tears, and Sasha has spent hours on the piano developing his voice, showing their innate musicality. The idea to use an acrostic format was reportedly inspired by co-writer Keityn, whose mother used to write him acrostic poems as a child. The song's release was a surprise, as another single, "Copa Vacía," was expected.

"Acróstico" is rich with symbolism, both in its lyrics and its accompanying music video, which depicts Shakira and her sons packing up their Barcelona home for their move to Miami.

• The Acrostic Structure: The most significant literary device is the acrostic itself, embedding her sons' names, Milan and Sasha, into the verses. This structure symbolizes that her children are the very foundation and core message of her words and her strength.
• Broken Plate Metaphor: The line "Se nos rompió solo un plato, no toda la vajilla" ("We only broke one plate, not all the dishes") is a powerful metaphor for her family's situation. It symbolizes that while the romantic relationship (the plate) is broken, the entire family unit (the dishes) is not destroyed, signifying hope and the endurance of their family bond.
• Moving Boxes: The music video is set amidst moving boxes, some marked "FRAGILE." This symbolizes the tangible upheaval of their lives and the emotional fragility Shakira experienced but tried to hide from her children. The act of packing represents leaving a painful past behind and starting a new chapter.
• Mother Bird Animation: The lyric video features an animation of a mother bird protecting her two eggs in a nest during a storm. This is a clear allegory for Shakira as a protective mother shielding her children from the turmoil of her public breakup.
• Toy Ducks: In the music video, two toy ducks are shown facing away from each other, which has been interpreted as a symbol of Shakira and Piqué, who share the same birthday, now going their separate ways.

The emotional tone of "Acróstico" is overwhelmingly one of tender, heartfelt love and vulnerability. It marks a significant emotional shift from Shakira's previous singles like "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53," which were characterized by anger, defiance, and revenge. In "Acróstico," the predominant emotions are love, hope, and a quiet resilience. The song's atmosphere is intimate and melancholic yet ultimately hopeful. This is created through the combination of the gentle piano melody, Shakira's soft and emotive vocal delivery, and lyrics that express deep affection and devotion. There's a palpable sense of sadness and fragility, particularly when she sings about trying to hide her tears from her children ("Intenté que no me veas llorar, que no vieras mi fragilidad"). However, this sadness is consistently overcome by the strength and purpose she finds in her role as a mother. The inclusion of her sons' voices adds a layer of pure, innocent joy, culminating in a feeling that is bittersweet but strongly tilted towards the positive power of familial love.

"Acróstico" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, largely due to its raw emotional honesty and the involvement of Shakira's children. The song was praised by critics and fans for its vulnerability and for showcasing a different side of her emotional journey post-breakup, moving from anger to maternal love. It resonated deeply with parents and was released just before Mother's Day, amplifying its message. The song performed well commercially, adding to a banner year for the artist. It was part of a series of hits that solidified her status, making her the first artist to have two Global Top 50 #1s on Spotify in the same year. The song was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, alongside two of her other tracks, making Shakira the first artist to receive three nominations in that category in the same year. The music video, featuring Milan and Sasha singing and playing piano, went viral, sparking widespread conversation about family, resilience, and the role of art in healing. Shakira later performed the song live at events like the Latin Grammy Awards, further cementing its place as a standout, heartfelt piece in her discography.

"Acróstico" is structured as a pop ballad with a gentle and flowing rhythm. The song is characterized by a relatively slow tempo, primarily driven by the piano, which creates a contemplative and intimate atmosphere. The rhythmic structure is straightforward, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics and vocals to take precedence. The song's verse-chorus structure is clear, with the rhythm building slightly in the chorus to emphasize the central message of her children's love healing her pain. The rhyme scheme is not strictly rigid, resembling a more free-verse style within its pop framework, which contributes to its conversational and sincere tone. For example, in the first verse (the "Milan" acrostic), the lines end with words like "acaba," "pero," "llegamos," and "estar," which do not follow a traditional, perfect rhyme scheme. This lyrical freedom makes the song feel more like a personal letter than a formally constructed poem, enhancing its authenticity. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the simple, chord-based piano melody is seamless, ensuring the focus remains on the song's heartfelt message.

"Acróstico" employs a combination of literary and musical techniques to achieve its emotional impact.
Literary Techniques:

• Acrostic: The central and most defining technique is the use of an acrostic poem, spelling the names "Milan" and "Sasha" with the first letter of each line in the verses. This integrates her children's identities directly into the lyrical structure, making the dedication unmistakable.
• Metaphor: Shakira uses metaphors like "Se nos rompió solo un plato no toda la vajilla" ("We only broke one plate, not all the dishes") to convey complex emotional situations in a relatable way.
• Direct Address: The song is written as a direct address to her children, creating an intimate, letter-like tone that enhances its sincerity and vulnerability.

• Minimalist Arrangement: The song is a stripped-down piano ballad. This minimalist instrumentation, centered around the piano, places the focus squarely on Shakira's raw, emotive vocals and the poignant lyrics.
• Vocal Delivery: Shakira's vocal performance is notably gentle and vulnerable, a departure from the more powerful and defiant tones in her previous singles. This stylistic choice aligns with the song's themes of maternal love and tenderness.
• Featuring Children's Vocals: The inclusion of Milan and Sasha's own singing and piano playing is a powerful stylistic choice. It adds a layer of authenticity and deepens the song's theme of family connection, making their participation an integral part of the musical narrative.

What is the meaning of the song 'Acróstico' by Shakira?

'Acróstico' is a heartfelt piano ballad dedicated to Shakira's sons, Milan and Sasha. The song's title, which means 'acrostic' in English, refers to the poetic device used in the verses, where the first letter of each line spells out her children's names. It's a message about a mother's unconditional love, resilience, and finding strength through her children amidst personal hardship.

Are Shakira's sons actually singing in 'Acróstico'?

Yes, both of Shakira's sons, Milan and Sasha, are featured in the song. They sing parts of the chorus and are shown playing the piano in the official music video. Shakira explained that after they heard the song she wrote for them, they asked to participate in the recording.

How does 'Acróstico' form the names of Shakira's sons?

The song uses a literary device called an acrostic. The first letters of the lines in the first verse spell out 'M-I-L-A-N'. Similarly, the first letters of the lines in the second verse form the name 'S-A-S-H-A'. This makes the song a direct and clever dedication to them.

When was 'Acróstico' released?

Shakira released 'Acróstico' on May 11, 2023. It was the third single from her album 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,' which was released in 2024.

What does the line 'only one plate broke, not all the dishes' mean?

This line is a metaphor for her separation from Gerard Piqué. It suggests that while their romantic relationship (a single plate) has broken, their family unit as a whole (the entire set of dishes) is not completely destroyed, emphasizing the enduring bond she maintains with her children.

Who wrote the song 'Acróstico'?

The song was co-written by Shakira, Keityn, Luis Fernando Ochoa, and L.E.X.U.Z. The track was produced by Shakira and L.E.X.U.Z.