Bad Bunny Drops ‘Una Velita’: Meaning, Lyrics in English

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Bad Bunny continues to surprise us. What isn’t surprising is that he’s one of the big nominees for the 2024 Latin Grammys, with eight nods this year, including Record of the Year and Best Urban Music Album.

Now, without any prior notice, he’s posted a link in his stories announcing the unexpected release of his latest single, ‘Una Velita,’ produced by Tainy and La Paciencia.

But what’s the true meaning behind this song? With a somber melody and various symbols, Bad Bunny decided to release it on the 7th anniversary of Hurricane María’s landfall in Puerto Rico. In ‘Una Velita,’ Benito takes the opportunity to express his frustration with the political situation on the island.

“Remember that we’re all from here, it’s up to the people to save the people / Don’t send me anything from the government, because those bastards will hide it / They just go out in the streets for photos, but as far as I’m concerned, they can all go to hell / They let 5,000 die, and we’ll never forget that / The palm they want to hang the country on, one of these days we’ll bring it down,” sings Bad Bunny in the song.

Hurricane María was one of the most destructive hurricanes in the island’s history, causing thousands of deaths and an estimated $90 billion in damages. Recovery has been slow, and many Puerto Ricans still feel the effects of the disaster, keeping the event fresh in collective memory.

In addition, Bad Bunny has decided to release ‘Una Velita’ just before the U.S. presidential elections. U.S. elections affect Puerto Rico in several ways, even though Puerto Ricans living on the island cannot vote due to their status as an unincorporated territory. However, U.S. federal government policies and decisions have a direct impact on the island. For example, the allocation of federal funds, disaster response, and economic and healthcare policies are areas where the decisions of the U.S. president and Congress can significantly influence the lives of Puerto Ricans.

Bad Bunny ‘Una Velita’ Lyrics in English

Intro

How did this moment get here?
The year flies by
But this month always goes slowly

It passes serious and threatening
The sky is darkening
And the wind is already blowing
The sea is getting angry
And the mountain is praying

Chorus

Hey, it’s starting to rain, it’s going to happen again
A storm is coming, a downpour
It’s starting to rain, it’s going to happen again
A storm is coming, who will save us?

Post-Chorus

Ah, ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah, ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah
And may God protect Borinquen
In the name of the Father, the Son

Verse

And the Holy Spirit, may God watch over my song
I don’t want a tarp, I want His cloak, hey
Obviously, the power’s going to go out, who knows if it will ever come back

The bridge they took so long to build, the swollen river’s going to break it
A few songs saved on my phone for when the signal goes out
The signal has already been given, and they don’t want to see it; now it’s up to the Puerto Rican to wake up

Don’t forget the old lady over there, who lives alone, we have to help her
Remember we’re all from here, it’s up to the people to save the people

Don’t send me anything from the government, because those bastards will hide it
They just go out in the streets for photos, but as far as I’m concerned, they can all go to hell
They let 5,000 die, and we’ll never forget that

The palm they want to hang the country on, one of these days we’ll bring it down

Pre-Chorus

And hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully it won’t come, no
And hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully it won’t come, no
And hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully it won’t come, no
That it won’t come, no, but

Chorus

It’s starting to rain, it’s going to happen again
A storm is coming, maybe a hurricane
It’s starting to rain, it’s going to happen again
A storm is coming, who will save us?

Bridge

Tell me if you want to get through it with me
Tell me if you want to get through it with me
Tell me if you want to get through it with me, eh-eh
So I won’t sleep alone, sleeping embraced
Nothing scares me if you’re by my side
Light a little candle so I can see your face before bed

Outro

I’m waiting for the sun to come out
For the sun to come out
The sun will rise, ah-ah
I’m waiting for the sun to come out
For the sun to come out
The sun will rise