Bad Bunny – Una Velita

Bad Bunny’s latest track “Una Velita,” released on September 19, powerfully reflects on Puerto Rico’s ongoing struggles since Hurricane Maria struck seven years ago. The Category 5 storm devastated the island, killing thousands and crippling its infrastructure, leaving Puerto Ricans to deal with constant power outages due to a fragile power grid. In the song, Bad Bunny confronts this harsh reality head-on, lamenting the continued neglect and loss of life: “There were five thousand that they let die, and we will never forget that.”

The release of “Una Velita” coincides not only with the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Maria but also with election season. Bad Bunny has been using his platform to encourage political engagement and voter registration among his millions of followers, continuing his trend of activism through music.

Singing over a gripping folkloric beat, he further criticizes the ongoing failures of the government: “Obviously the light will go out, God knows if it’ll come back.” The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the island’s struggles, from neglected infrastructure to a disillusioned people. Bad Bunny’s rallying cry is clear: the future of Puerto Rico lies in the hands of its people, urging them to wake up and take action.

This isn’t Bad Bunny’s first foray into addressing Puerto Rico’s social and political issues. His 2022 track “El Apagón” and its accompanying documentary addressed similar themes, tackling blackouts, gentrification, and government inaction. With “Una Velita,” Bad Bunny once again amplifies the voice of Puerto Ricans, demanding change for his homeland.

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Bad Bunny – Una Velita (English Translation)

[Intro]How did this moment come?
The year flies by
But this month always drags on
It’s serious and threatening
The sky is darkening
And the wind is already blowing
The sea is getting furious
And the mountain is praying

[Chorus]Ayy, it’s starting to rain, it’s gonna happen again
Here comes the storm, comes the storm
It’s starting to rain, it’s gonna happen again
Here comes the storm, 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 Puerto Rico
In the name of the Father, the Son

[Verse]And of the Holy Spirit, may God protect my song
I don’t want a tarp, I want His mantle, ayy
Obviously, the light will go out, God knows it will never rеturn
The bridge they took so long to build, thе river has grown and will break it
A couple of songs saved on my phone for when the signal goes out
The signal has already been given and they don’t wanna see it, it’s just that the Puerto Ricans have to wake up
Don’t forget the old lady over there who lives alone, we need to help her
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, those bastards will hide it
They’re going out on the streets just for photos, they can all go to hell
Five thousand were left to die, and that we’ll never forget
The palm tree they want to use to hang the country, one of these days we’ll take it down

[Pre-Chorus]And hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, it doesn’t come, no
And hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, it doesn’t come, no
And hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, and hopefully, it doesn’t come, no
It doesn’t come, no, but

[Chorus]It’s starting to rain, it’s gonna happen again
Here comes the storm, comes the storm
It’s starting to rain, it’s gonna happen again
Here comes the storm, who will save us?

[Bridge]Tell me if you wanna spend it with me
Tell me if you wanna spend it with me
Tell me if you wanna spend it with me, eh-eh
So that we don’t sleep alone, that we sleep embraced
Nothing scares me if you’re by my side
Light a little candle to see your face before I go to bed

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