The Meaning Behind The Song: QUÉ PRETENDES by J Balvin & Bad Bunny

Introduction

As a music critic, I always find it fascinating to delve into the meaning behind the lyrics of a song. One track that caught my attention recently is “QUÉ PRETENDES” by J Balvin and Bad Bunny. Released as the fourth single from their collaborative album, OASIS, this song explores the complexities of a broken relationship and the futile attempt to revive it.

Table of Contents

The Lyrics

[Intro: J Balvin]
Uah, uh-uh
Uah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Uh-uh)

[Pre-Chorus: J Balvin]
Ahora quiere’ volver (Ahora quieres volver, yeah)
Por qué razón, dime para qué (Para qué, para qué)
Ya no te presto atención (Ninguna)
Desde hace tiempo le puse punto final (Sí)

[Chorus: J Balvin]
¿Qué pretendes tú llamándome a esta hora? (Yeah, hora)
Esa actitud la conozco ya (Yeah-yeah-yeah)
Sabes qué hacer muy bien para envolverme (Envolverme)
Pero esta vez es muy tarde ya (Uah, oh-oh-oh)

[Verse 1: Bad Bunny]
Estas no son horas de llamar (No)
Al meno’ que me lo quiera’ mamar
Que quiera’ prender, que quiera’ quemar (Uh-huh)
Hablando claro ya tú me cae’ hasta mal (Ja)
Por ti me metí pastilla’ y me fui de over flow Lamar (Woh)
Pero tú no ere’ una Kardashian (No)
Contigo no me tiro, porque si no las Retro se me embachan
De Snapchat te borré, de Facebook te borré
De Instagram te borré, de mi vida te borré (¡Plo!)

[Pre-Chorus: Bad Bunny]
Y ahora quiere’ volver (¡Nah!)
Nah, tú lo que quiere’ e’ joder (¡Wuh!)
Pero no se va a poder (Fuck you)
Me va’ a ver con otra y te va’ a morder (Uh)
Y ahora quiere’ volver
Nah, tú lo que quiere’ e’ joder
Pero no se va a poder
Me va’ a ver con otra y te va’ a morder (¡Nah!)

[Chorus: Bad Bunny]
¿Qué pretendes tú llamándome a esta hora? (Ey)
Esa actitud la conozco ya
Sabes qué hacer muy bien para envolverme
Pero esta vez es muy tarde ya
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah

[Verse 2: J Balvin]
Intentas hacerlo todo para que yo vuelva
Las cosas no son iguales, ¿para qué insistir?
Evita molestias y tu tiempo no pierdas
Conmigo no encuentras nada
A escondidas vives chequeando las fotos
Investigando mi perfil
No lo niegues, bien te conozco

[Bridge: J Balvin]
Todo lo que tú hiciste conmigo
Quiere’ repetirlo
Anda buscando más
Y a mí eso me da igual
Todo lo que tú hiciste conmigo
Quiere’ repetirlo
Anda buscando más
Y a mí eso me da igual

[Chorus: J Balvin & Bad Bunny]
¿Qué pretendes tú llamándome a esta hora? (Yeah, hora)
Esa actitud la conozco ya (Yeah-yeah-yeah)
Sabes qué hacer muy bien para envolverme (Envolverme)
Pero esta vez es muy tarde ya (Uah, oh-oh-oh)
¿Qué pretendes tú llamándome a esta hora? (Ey)
Esa actitud la conozco ya
Sabes qué hacer muy bien para envolverme
Pero esta vez es muy tarde ya
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah

[Outro: J Balvin, Bad Bunny]
Sky Rompiendo
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Rompiendo el Bajo
Bad Bunny, baby-be-be-bebé-bebé, bebé
J Balvin
Leggo’
J Balvin
Bad Bunny
Oasis
Oasis, baby
Esta va pa’ ti

The Meaning

“QUÉ PRETENDES” tells the story of a relationship that has come to an end, but one party is still trying to rekindle the flame. Bad Bunny and J Balvin express their frustration, telling the other person that it’s too late to change their mind. The lyrics convey a sense of finality, as they emphasize that the time for reconciliation has passed.

In the verses, Bad Bunny addresses the woman’s late-night phone calls and attempts to regain his attention. He dismisses her advances, stating that her actions make him question their past together. He compares her to a Kardashian, suggesting that she is seeking attention and validation.

J Balvin’s verse highlights the futile attempts made by the other person to make him come back. He advises them to avoid wasting their time and energy, as things will never be the same again. He acknowledges their tendency to stalk his social media and reminds them that he knows them well.

Personal Reflections

When I first heard “QUÉ PRETENDES,” I was captivated by the catchy melody and infectious energy of J Balvin and Bad Bunny’s collaboration. The lyrics stood out to me, as they revealed the power dynamics within a broken relationship.

This song resonated with me personally, as I could relate it to the experience of being pursued by someone from my past who failed to recognize the finality of our relationship. It reminded me of the frustration I felt when their attempts to reconnect were met with indifference.

Conclusion

“QUÉ PRETENDES” by J Balvin and Bad Bunny is a powerful song that delves into a failed relationship and the desperation to revive what is already lost. The lyrics and the emotive performances of both artists make this track a standout in their joint album, OASIS. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, it’s essential to let go and move on.

Credits

Produced By Sky Rompiendo

Written By J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Sky Rompiendo & MusikMan

Performance Rights BMI & ASCAP

Publisher Universal Música Unica Publishing, LVS Music Group, Warner/Chappell, Universal Music Group, Rimas Music & Black Koi Entertainment

Phonographic Copyright ℗ Universal Music Latino & Universal Music Group

Additional Vocals Feid

Primary Artists J Balvin & Bad Bunny

Label Universal Music Latino

Release Date June 28, 2019

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