With lyrics ranging from soothing to motivating, artists including Bad Bunny, Erika Ender, Farruko, Raquel Sofia and Alejandro Sanz have released quarantine-inspired songs to help them cope with self-isolation during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Ender’s melancholic “Back to Basics” sings of screens replacing real and physical love, while Farruko is wishing he could go back in time and enjoy the moments he once took for granted and Bad Bunny gets real with “En Casita (At Home),” featuring his girlfriend Gabriela, singing about how he’s coping with quarantine.
Here are the Latin songs that have been inspired by the coronavirus global crisis (so far).
Abraham Mateo, “Esta Cuarentena”
With shots of empty streets and other takes showing how people are keeping busy while in quarantine, Abraham Mateo’s self-isolation-inspired song is about longing to reunite with those loved ones once quarantine is over. “I’m missing you, not seeing you is taking a toll on me, but I’m doing it to keep you safe,” he sings.
Erika Ender, “Back to Basics”
Panamanian singer-songwriter Erika Ender gets real in her quarantine-inspired melancholic song. “A screen replacing love” is how Ender starts the song. “No looks, just empty words.”
Jorge Drexler, “Codo Con Codo”
With guitar in hand, the Uruguayan singer-songwriter took to social media to sing his new, nostalgic song “Codo Con Codo (Elbow to Elbow),” in which he explores all the other ways one can say hello without touching. “The hugs will come back, the slow kisses. If you run into a friend, say hello to them with your soul. Smile, throw them a kiss from afar,” Drexler sings.
Farruko, “El Tiempo Pasa (Cuarentena)”
The reggaetón singer-songwriter is reminiscing on the past, wishing he could go back in time when he was able to visit family and hanging out with friends. “Wish I could enjoy those moments again. I can’t forgive myself for taking them for granted.”
Raquel Sofia, “Amor En Cuarentena”“
When I get scared tonight, tell me if this world will come to an end, just tell me that love will save us,” Raquel Sofia sings in her recently-released soothing ballad “Amor en Cuarantena (Love In Times of Quarantine).”
Karol G, Anuel AA, “Follow”
In the middle of quarantine life, Karol G dropped “Follow” in collaboration with her boyfriend Anuel AA. Produced by Ovy on the Drums, the song is a fusion of old-school reggae roots and sensual urban melodies about two people who like each other but are playing hard to get. Although the lyrics are not related to the current healthy crisis, the homemade music video highlights how the urban couple is spending their time at home during the pandemic.
Bad Bunny, “En Casita”
Bad Bunny’s quarantine goes from playing with his Toy Story collection on his Instagram to dropping a surprise track with his girlfriend, Gabriela Berlingeri. In the improvised trap song, which was uploaded to Soundcloud, Bunny pens all of his feelings during the quarantine. “I don’t want to die and I also don’t want to break the law / but being stuck here until May 16 really sucks,” he sings, elaborating in the song that he misses AutoTune, he had to cancel his concerts, and that he wants to see his loved ones but he can’t because of curfew.
Alejandro Sanz, “El Mundo Fuera”
Alejandro Sanz and Juanes were one of the first artists to launch the new virtual concerts in times of COVID-19. In addition to crooning his fans from a YouTube live session, Sanz dropped his heartfelt piano-infused “#ElMundoAfuera” (The World Outside). “This song was created at home in quarantine,” he expressed on social media. “It’s an improvisation traveling on a voice note, some harmony instructions and a feeling in common.”
Franco De Vita, “Frágiles”
Venezuelan singer-songwriter Franco De Vita who currently resides in Madrid, penned a heartfelt song about the effects that COVID-19 has on humanity called “Fragiles” (Fragile). “I never thought I would miss a hug so much,” he croons over a soothing melody. “Our lives, our dreams, fragile/ Our bodies, our homes, fragile,” says the impacting chorus.
