Released: 2023
Features: Manuel Turizo
Right off the bat, Marshmello’s “El Merengue” featuring Manuel Turizo is a fiery dance of love and regret. It’s all about a guy who’s struggling big time because he can’t shake off the memories of a lost love, despite trying to convince everyone, and himself, he’s over her. This tune wraps its arms around the ache of missing someone while trying to drown those feelings in the party life.
The song kicks off with an upbeat vibe but don’t be fooled; the lyrics dive deep into heartbreak territory. When he says “Toy cansao de pensarte, con el pecho roto,” he’s basically saying he’s tired of thinking about you with a broken heart. The stark contrast between the sunny weather and feeling cold because she’s not there anymore? That’s his way of telling us how deeply her absence affects him, showing that no amount of sunlight can warm the cold loneliness he feels.
Then, our singer gets into how he tries to erase her from his memory, looking at her pictures and wanting to delete them, but just can’t bring himself to do it. He wishes he had expressed his feelings more openly, hinting at regrets of not stealing more kisses when he had the chance. The imagery of having “ojos colorao'” (red eyes) from missing her highlights the deep sorrow he’s experiencing, emphasizing how different it is to be just alone versus being alone and in love.
The chorus hits hard with the honesty of trying to forget someone and failing miserably. He admits to saying he’s over her, especially when drunk, but acknowledges he’s far from it. This push and pull of trying to move on but being unable to is a universal feeling many can relate to.
As the story unfolds in the club scene, he sees her dancing alone, seizing the moment to get close to her, letting time slip by as they’re lost in the moment together. This part captures the hope and desperation of wanting to reconnect, even if it’s just for a few hours on the dance floor. The repetition of seeing her, getting close, and losing track of time underscores how drawn he is to her, unable to resist her pull.
The ending lines are like a tipsy confession under the nightclub lights, a last-ditch plea for reconsideration. He’s asking for anything but forgetting her, a raw admittance of his ongoing love. The festive vibe of the music contrasts with the poignant plea, making “El Merengue” a bittersweet anthem for anyone who’s ever tried to dance away their heartache but found themselves face-to-face with it instead.
