Me Gusta

"Me Gusta" delves into the complexities of a long-term relationship that has lost its initial spark and romance. The title, which translates to "I Like It," is somewhat ironic, as the lyrics primarily explore the dissatisfaction and friction between a couple. The song is structured as a dialogue between Shakira and Anuel AA, who portray lovers reminiscing about the passionate beginnings of their relationship and contrasting it with their current state of neglect and constant arguments.

The central theme is the erosion of romantic gestures and emotional connection over time. Shakira's verses are filled with nostalgia for the past, citing specific examples of her partner's former affection: filling the house with roses, taking her out, and paying close attention to his appearance for her. These memories are juxtaposed with the present, where she feels he has become careless and distant, forgetting the details that once made their love vibrant.

Anuel AA's perspective adds another layer, acknowledging the arguments and the dysfunctional way they try to resolve them—often through physical intimacy rather than genuine communication. His lyrics reveal a conflict between his undeniable physical attraction to her ("Me gusta cuando yo te tengo como Dios te trajo al mundo," meaning "I like it when I have you as God brought you into the world") and his suspicion that her professions of love might be mere excuses. This creates a narrative of a relationship caught in a loop of conflict, temporary physical reconciliation, and lingering doubt. The song ultimately carries a hopeful, albeit bittersweet, tone, as both partners express a desire to stop the "foolishness" and work together to reclaim the love they once had.

The song unfolds as a conversation between a couple whose relationship is fraying at the edges. They are caught in a cycle of arguments and misunderstandings, a stark contrast to the passion and affection that once defined their love. Shakira initiates this dialogue, painting a vivid picture of their past romance. She reminisces about a time when her partner would fill the house with roses and dress up just to see her. He would take her out for dinner, to the movies, and dancing, spending so lavishly on her that his credit card was always at its limit. These memories highlight the effort and attention that have vanished from their present dynamic. Now, the house is filled not with flowers, but with his things, and he no longer makes an effort with his appearance, not even bothering to shave. She feels neglected, pointing out that he spends his time out on the street while forgetting the small, meaningful details with her.

Anuel AA responds from the male perspective, acknowledging the tension and the constant fighting that has plagued them for months. He admits his part in their communication breakdown, recognizing that he often tries to solve their deep-seated issues with physical intimacy, which he now understands is not the solution. He calls for an end to the foolishness, urging for clarity before things get worse. His lyrics convey a mix of frustration and a persistent, almost primal attraction. He confesses that despite their problems, he is still intensely drawn to her, particularly in their most intimate moments. However, this physical connection is clouded by a sense of mistrust. He hears her words of love but feels they might be empty excuses, suspecting that she might be using him. This duality of intense desire and emotional doubt forms the core of his conflict.

The narrative is a push-and-pull of blame and a shared desire for reconciliation. Shakira points out his hypocrisy; he gets jealous when she talks to other men, yet his own actions are what push her away. She accuses him of being careless with his words, which hurt her deeply. Anuel AA echoes the sentiment that their relationship isn't a perfect fairytale, acknowledging that real-world love differs from what is seen in novels. Both artists express a commitment to fixing their broken bond. They plead with each other to 'do their part' and communicate properly to resolve their issues. The recurring chorus, with its catchy 'la la la' hook sampled from Inner Circle's 'Sweat,' acts as a melodic anchor, representing the lingering 'like' or 'gusta'—the fundamental attraction that keeps them tied together despite the emotional distance. The song captures the complex state of a long-term relationship where the spark has faded, but the underlying affection and physical desire remain, creating a bittersweet and hopeful plea to salvage what they once had.

"Me Gusta" was officially released on January 13, 2020, by Sony Music Latin. The collaboration between Shakira and Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA was strategic; Sony Music Latin's CEO, Afo Verde, initiated the partnership to help grow Anuel AA's audience by pairing him with a global superstar.

Shakira first teased a clip of the song in her home recording studio during a 60 Minutes interview with CBS in November 2019. She formally announced the collaboration on January 12, 2020, via her social media channels, sharing the single's cover art. The song was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida. The writing credits are extensive, including Shakira Mebarak, Emmanuel Gazmey Santiago (Anuel AA), Carlos E. Ortiz Rivera, Daniel Echavarría Oviedo, Édgar Barrera, Ian Lewis, and Joan Antonio González Marrero. Production was handled by Shakira herself, alongside Édgar Barrera (also known as "Edge") and Alex "A.C." Castillo.

A significant element of the song's creation is its prominent sample of the 1992 hit "Sweat (A La La La La Long)" by the Jamaican reggae band Inner Circle. This sample forms the catchy, recurring hook of "Me Gusta" and infuses it with a nostalgic, reggae-fusion feel. The track was initially intended to be the lead single for Shakira's twelfth studio album, which was planned for a 2020 release but was ultimately scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Me Gusta" is built on a foundation of reggaeton and dembow rhythms, characterized by a steady, danceable tempo that remains consistent throughout the track. The underlying beat provides a pop-friendly pulse that makes the song catchy and accessible. The song's rhythmic structure is primarily in 4/4 time, typical for the genre, creating a framework that is easy to follow and dance to.

The lyrical rhythm and rhyme scheme are characteristic of modern urban Latin music. The song largely employs a simple, often AABB or ABCB, rhyme scheme within its verses, which enhances its pop sensibility and memorability. For example, in Anuel AA's opening lines: "Llevamo' peleando par de mese' / Y ya yo te lo he dicho tantas vece'" (A/A rhyme on 'mese'/'vece'). This straightforward rhyming makes the lyrics flow smoothly over the beat.

The most significant rhythmic and melodic motif is the interpolated hook from Inner Circle's "Sweat (A La La La La Long)". The 'Ala-la-la-la-long' refrain is rhythmically distinct from the verses, with a lighter, more melodic cadence that provides a recurring, nostalgic break from the conversational verses. This interplay between the contemporary reggaeton-trap rhythm of the verses and the classic reggae-fusion rhythm of the hook is a central feature of the song's structure, bridging two different musical eras and creating a unique sonic texture.

"Me Gusta" employs a blend of musical and literary techniques to craft its narrative of a relationship in flux. Musically, its most prominent feature is the sampling of Inner Circle's 1992 reggae fusion hit "Sweat (A La La La La Long)". This sample serves as the song's primary hook, lending it a nostalgic and instantly recognizable quality. The production combines elements of upbeat reggaeton with the rhythmic patterns of trap and a delicate dembow beat, creating a danceable track that contrasts with its bittersweet lyrical content. This juxtaposition of a bright, catchy melody with lyrics about a failing relationship is a key stylistic choice, highlighting the bittersweet nature of the song. Shakira’s vocal delivery is smooth and melodic, while Anuel AA brings a characteristic reggaeton/trap flow, creating a conversational dynamic that suits the song's narrative.

Lyrically, the song is structured as a direct dialogue or duet, a common narrative technique in Latin pop. This call-and-response format allows each artist to present their side of the story, creating a balanced portrayal of the couple's conflict. The primary literary technique is antithesis, where the past is constantly contrasted with the present to emphasize the relationship's decline. For instance, Shakira contrasts the past abundance of roses with the present clutter of his belongings ("Antes me llenabas la casa de rosas / Y ahora solo vive llena de tus cosas"). This technique effectively and vividly illustrates the loss of romance and effort. The language is colloquial and direct, using phrases like "dejémono' ya de estupidece'" ("let's stop the foolishness"), which makes the conversation feel authentic and relatable.

Upon its release in January 2020, "Me Gusta" achieved significant commercial success, marking another successful entry into the urban-Latin genre for Shakira. The song debuted on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart, eventually reaching number 6 and becoming Shakira's 30th top-10 hit on that chart, extending her record as the female artist with the most top-10 entries. It performed well internationally, reaching the number one spot in countries like Mexico and Ecuador and peaking at number two in Spain. The single received multiple certifications, including 2x Platinum in Spain and Platinum+Gold in Mexico.

The song's release was strategically timed just before Shakira's highly anticipated Super Bowl LIV halftime show performance with Jennifer Lopez in February 2020, which garnered massive viewership and renewed interest in her music. The vibrant, colorful music video, directed by Drew Kirsch, was released in March 2020 and paid homage to Asian culture with its styling and themes, such as a sushi-themed set. The video quickly surpassed 100 million views, earning a Vevo Certified Award and contributing to Shakira's record as one of the artists with the most Vevo Certified videos.

Critically, the song was described as an "upbeat reggaeton trap" and an "unhurried lover's rock number" that effectively captured the narrative of a couple trying to reclaim their lost love. Its clever use of the iconic sample from Inner Circle's "Sweat" was also noted, bridging generational and genre gaps. "Me Gusta" was recognized as the most-Shazammed Latin song in the first half of 2020, indicating its widespread catchiness and public appeal.

The lyrics of "Me Gusta" employ a straightforward narrative rather than dense symbolism, but they utilize powerful contrasts as a central literary device. The primary symbolic element is the juxtaposition of the past versus the present to represent the decay of a romantic relationship.

• Roses vs. 'Your Things': Shakira sings, "Antes me llenabas la casa de rosas / Y ahora solo vive llena de tus cosas" ("You used to fill my house with roses / And now it's just full of your stuff"). The roses symbolize romance, passion, and thoughtful gestures—the vibrant, beautiful stage of their love. In contrast, 'your things' represent a mundane, passionless cohabitation. The beauty has been replaced by mere presence, symbolizing how the emotional connection has been cluttered and obscured by the ordinary and thoughtless aspects of daily life.
• Dressing Up vs. Not Shaving: The line "Te perfumabas cuando iba a visitarte / Y ahora ni compras la cuchilla pa' afeitarte" ("You used to put on cologne when I was going to visit you / And now you don't even buy a razor blade to shave") serves as a metaphor for the loss of effort and mutual desire. The act of grooming for a partner symbolizes a desire to be attractive for them and the excitement of the relationship. The disregard for appearance symbolizes complacency and taking the other person for granted.
• The Bed as a Flawed Solution: Anuel AA's line, "Y lo quieres arreglar todo en la cama" ("And you want to fix everything in bed"), positions the bed as a symbol of avoiding real emotional issues. It represents a place of physical connection that has become a crutch, a way to temporarily smooth over deeper problems without truly resolving them. It highlights the disconnect between physical intimacy and emotional intimacy.

The most prominent and memorable recurring motif in "Me Gusta" is the musical and lyrical sample of Inner Circle's "Sweat (A La La La La Long)". The phrase "Ala-la-la-la-long, long li long lo lo" functions as the song's primary hook, appearing in the intro, post-chorus, and outro. Its repetition serves multiple purposes: it makes the song incredibly catchy, provides a nostalgic, feel-good contrast to the tense lyrical content of the verses, and structurally frames the narrative of the couple's conflict. It acts as a melodic anchor, a reminder of a simpler, perhaps more carefree feeling that the couple is trying to recapture.

Lyrically, the titular phrase "Me gusta" ("I like it") is a crucial recurring element. Anuel AA repeats it in the chorus, specifically in the context of physical intimacy: "Me gusta, cuando yo te tengo como Dios te trajo al mundo" ("I like it, when I have you as God brought you into the world"). This repetition emphasizes the core conflict of the song: despite the emotional distance, arguments, and neglect, a powerful physical attraction remains. It's the one piece of their original passion that clearly endures, serving as both a reason they are still together and a distraction from solving their deeper issues.

Another recurring idea is the direct call to action, with both singers urging each other to "pon de tu parte, mi amor" ("do your part, my love"). This phrase encapsulates the song's underlying message of hope and the need for mutual effort to salvage the relationship, making it a recurring thematic motif.