In "La Tortura" by Colombian singer Shakira featuring Alejandro Sanz, the lyrics explore themes of heartbreak, regret, and the complexities of love. The song is a duet, with each artist delivering their own verses before coming together in a powerful chorus.
The title, "La Tortura," translates to "the torture," and it's clear from the opening lines that the singer is grappling with intense emotions following the end of a relationship. Sanz sings, "Payita mía / Guarda la poesía / Guarda la alegría / Para ti," which roughly translates to "My little one / Protect the poetry / Protect the joy / For you." This sets up an image of a love that was once beautiful and full of promise, but has now turned painful.
Shakira's verses add to this sense of regret and longing. She sings, "No pido que todos los días sean de sol / No pido que todos los viernes sean de fiesta / Tampoco te pido que vuelvas rogando perdón," which translates to "I don't ask that every day is sunny / I don't ask that every Friday is a party / I don't even ask that you come back begging for forgiveness." These lines suggest a willingness to let go of the past and accept the relationship as over, but there's still an underlying sense of sadness and longing.
The chorus, "Ay amor me duele tanto / Ay amor fue una tortura perderte," translates to "Oh love hurts me so much / Oh love was a torture losing you." This chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the intensity of the heartbreak and pain.
Sanz's second verse touches on themes of guilt and remorse. He sings, "Yo sé que no he sido un santo / Pero lo puedo arreglar, amor," which translates to "I know I haven't been a saint / But I can make it right, love." This line suggests that the singer is taking responsibility for his actions and regretting them.
Shakira's second verse adds another layer of complexity to the song's meaning. She sings, "No sólo de pan vive el hombre / Y no de excusas vivo yo / Sólo de errores se aprende / Y hoy sé que es tuyo mi corazón," which translates to "It's not just bread that sustains a man / And I don't live by excuses / Only from errors do we learn / And today I know that it's yours, my heart." This verse touches on the idea that mistakes and failures are part of life, but they can also lead to growth and learning.
The song's final verse brings the two singers together once again, with Sanz singing, "No te vayas, no te vayas / Oye negrita mira, no te rajes," which roughly translates to "Don't go, don't go / Listen my dark one, don't break." Shakira then takes over, singing, "De lunes a viernes tienes mi amor / Déjame el sábado a mí que es mejor," which translates to "From Monday to Friday you have my love / Please let Saturday be mine instead." These lines suggest a desire for closure and a willingness to move on, but also a sense of hopefulness and longing.
Overall, "La Tortura" is a powerful exploration of love, heartbreak, regret, and acceptance. The lyrics touch on complex emotions, from pain and sadness to guilt and remorse, while also hinting at the possibility of hope and closure. The song's mix of Spanish and English language, coupled with its catchy melody and emotional delivery, has helped make it a fan favorite and a staple in Latin pop music.
The title, "La Tortura," translates to "the torture," and it's clear from the opening lines that the singer is grappling with intense emotions following the end of a relationship. Sanz sings, "Payita mía / Guarda la poesía / Guarda la alegría / Para ti," which roughly translates to "My little one / Protect the poetry / Protect the joy / For you." This sets up an image of a love that was once beautiful and full of promise, but has now turned painful.
Shakira's verses add to this sense of regret and longing. She sings, "No pido que todos los días sean de sol / No pido que todos los viernes sean de fiesta / Tampoco te pido que vuelvas rogando perdón," which translates to "I don't ask that every day is sunny / I don't ask that every Friday is a party / I don't even ask that you come back begging for forgiveness." These lines suggest a willingness to let go of the past and accept the relationship as over, but there's still an underlying sense of sadness and longing.
The chorus, "Ay amor me duele tanto / Ay amor fue una tortura perderte," translates to "Oh love hurts me so much / Oh love was a torture losing you." This chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the intensity of the heartbreak and pain.
Sanz's second verse touches on themes of guilt and remorse. He sings, "Yo sé que no he sido un santo / Pero lo puedo arreglar, amor," which translates to "I know I haven't been a saint / But I can make it right, love." This line suggests that the singer is taking responsibility for his actions and regretting them.
Shakira's second verse adds another layer of complexity to the song's meaning. She sings, "No sólo de pan vive el hombre / Y no de excusas vivo yo / Sólo de errores se aprende / Y hoy sé que es tuyo mi corazón," which translates to "It's not just bread that sustains a man / And I don't live by excuses / Only from errors do we learn / And today I know that it's yours, my heart." This verse touches on the idea that mistakes and failures are part of life, but they can also lead to growth and learning.
The song's final verse brings the two singers together once again, with Sanz singing, "No te vayas, no te vayas / Oye negrita mira, no te rajes," which roughly translates to "Don't go, don't go / Listen my dark one, don't break." Shakira then takes over, singing, "De lunes a viernes tienes mi amor / Déjame el sábado a mí que es mejor," which translates to "From Monday to Friday you have my love / Please let Saturday be mine instead." These lines suggest a desire for closure and a willingness to move on, but also a sense of hopefulness and longing.
Overall, "La Tortura" is a powerful exploration of love, heartbreak, regret, and acceptance. The lyrics touch on complex emotions, from pain and sadness to guilt and remorse, while also hinting at the possibility of hope and closure. The song's mix of Spanish and English language, coupled with its catchy melody and emotional delivery, has helped make it a fan favorite and a staple in Latin pop music.
