Unveiled to the world on May 11, 2023, just in time to celebrate Mother's Day, "Acróstico" is a piano ballad, bared of all embellishments. Within its tender notes, Shakira channels the profound love that permeates a mother's heart for her two beloved sons. The heartfelt composition serves as an affecting open letter, a testament to the transformative power of maternal love.
In "Acróstico," Shakira bares her soul, delving into the depths of her experiences as a mother. With raw vulnerability, she unveils the truth that lies beneath the surface. Shakira conveys how a mother can transcend her own pain, finding solace and strength in the boundless love she shares with her children.
The title is Spanish for "acrostic," a literary form where the initial letters of each line combine to form a significant word. This clever artistic choice adds an extra layer of depth and meaning to the song.
Imbued with poetic prowess, Shakira weaves a tapestry of words where the lyrics align with the initials of her cherished children's names. Twice throughout the song, the lines begin with letters that together spell the names of her beloved sons, Milan and Sasha.
Me enseñaste que el amor no es una estafa, y que cuando es real no se acaba
Intenté que no me veas llorar, que no vieras mi fragilidad, pero
Las cosas no son siempre como las soñamos
A veces corremos, pero no llegamos
Nunca dudes que aquí voy a estar
This translates to:
You taught me that love is not a scam and that when it's real it doesn't end
I tried not to see me cry, not to see my fragility, but
Things are not always as we dream
Sometimes we run, but we don't arrive
Never doubt that I will be here
Se nos rompió solo un plato no toda la vajilla, y aunque no sé poner la otra mejilla
Aprender a perdonar es de sabios, que solo te salga amor de esos labios
Si las cosas se dañan no se botan, se reparan, los problemas se afrontan y se encaran
Hay que reírse de la vida
A pesar de que duelan las heridas
This translates to:
Only one plate broke, not all the crockery, and although I don't know how to turn the other cheek
Learning to forgive is wise, that only love comes out of those lips
If things are damaged, they are not thrown away, they get repaired, problems are faced and dealt with
You have to laugh at life
Even though the wounds hurt
Producer Lexuz joined Shakira to create the restrained soundscape, while Luis Fernando Ochoa and Keitlyn helped her with the songwriting. Ochoa is a longtime Shakira collaborator, including on "
La Tortura," "
23," "
Coconut Tree" and "
Sale El Sol."
"The fact that such an important woman would let me make a song about something so personal... it's something that fills me with pride,"
Keityn told Billboard. "I've seen her as a mom, and she's an amazing mom and sings what she feels. I said, 'If you want to sing what you feel, let's give some play to the kids.'"
The song is Shakira's first solo single in Spanish since "Nada" in 2018. The return to her native tongue allowed her to fully express her emotions and thoughts through the language that resonates deeply with her.
The music video, directed by Jaume De Laiguana, starts with Shakira playing the piano with Sasha and Milan. As the melodies fill the air, the bond between mother and child becomes palpable. Sasha joins his mother mid-song as Milan plays the piano. Towards the end, Milan also showcases his blossoming singing skills.
"This year Milan has written songs that have made me tear up and Sasha has dedicated hours playing the piano and discovering his voice," Shakira wrote in Spanish on social media. "Both have spent some time with me in the studio and upon hearing this song, they've asked to be part of it. They've felt it and interpreted it in their own way and for themselves, with the same passion and emotion of a person who carries music within them."
