Bésame (Alejandro Sanz and Shakira song)

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"Bésame"
Single by Alejandro Sanz and Shakira
from the album ¿Y Ahora Qué?
Released23 May 2025 (2025-05-23)
GenreFlamenco, afrobeat, rumba
Length3:23
LabelSony Music Entertainment España
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Andy Clay
  • Rayito
  • Héctor Rubén Rivera "Kahno"
  • Alexander "A.C." Castillo
  • Ruffsound
Alejandro Sanz singles chronology
"Corazón Partío (remix)"
(2025) 		"Bésame"
(2025)
Shakira singles chronology
"Soltera"
(2024) 		"Bésame"
(2025)
Music video
"Bésame" on YouTube

"Bésame" (transl. "Kiss Me") is a song by Spanish musician Alejandro Sanz and Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira. A flamenco, afrobeat and rumba ballad, it was released on 23 May 2025 as a single from Sanz's second EP ¿Y Ahora Qué?.

Background and release

[edit]

On 19 May 2025, Alejandro Sanz posted a preview of "Bésame", a collaboration with Shakira, on social media.[1] The song is the third collaboration between Sanz and Shakira, and featured on his second EP ¿Y Ahora Qué?. It was released on 23 May 2025, almost twenty years after their first collaborations "La Tortura" (2005) and "Te Lo Agradezco, Pero No" (2006).[2] Sanz commented that they had been talking about releasing a new song together for a while and would always joke about it.[3][4] Despite wanting to record together, they could not find the right song, before "Bésame".[5]

Composition

[edit]

"Bésame" is a flamenco, afrobeat[2] and rumba[6] ballad.[7] It features minimal dance rhythms, combining elegance with mainstream appeal.[8] Sanz commented that the genres showcase their different influences: Shakira is "very into afrobeat" and wants to explore that genre, while he considers flamenco "a part of [his] culture, [his] roots."[9]

The lyrics of the song talk about love,[10] conveying themes of emotion, connection, intimacy, and nostalgia.[7] They depict a deeply emotional romantic connection, likening the beloved's beauty to the essence of life and conveying a strong wish to remain with her.[11] Sanz howls at the end of the track, which has drawn comparisons to Shakira's "She Wolf" and "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53".[12]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Bésame" was spontaneously filmed during rehearsals for the Charlotte date of Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.[13][14] The video was released on 30 May 2025 and directed by Jaume de Laiguana.[15][16] It features Shakira, donning a cap, jacket, and braids, joining Sanz on stage. Together, they hold microphones, as if rehearsing for a show.[17] Sanz kisses Shakira on her cheek in the video, while she kisses his ear in promotional pictures for the song, which sparked rumors of a possible romance between the two.[18][19] Milenio explained how they have a history of romantic tension between them, ranging from hugs and suggestive looks on stage to flirty comments on Instagram.[20] Sanz's girlfriend Candela Márquez reportedly got jealous and "very angry" from the kiss, triggering her to unfollow Shakira and Sanz on social media.[21][19][22][23][24][25]

Reception

[edit]

Juan Ignacio Herrero from Los 40 commented that the song "has surprised everyone with its spectacular structure and identity, proving that the two performers have a special chemistry when they unite their talents",[26] and described it as a "gigantic ode to love, to the courage to take that step despite the risk of being hurt."[12] Tomás Mier from Rolling Stone noted Shakira's "shining vocals."[27] Me Suena emphasized that the song is made special for merging deep, heartfelt lyrics with a distinctive mix of sounds.[28]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Bésame"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[29] 9
Argentina (Monitor Latino)[30] 1
Bolivia (Monitor Latino)[31] 6
Central America (Monitor Latino)[32] 2
Central America + Caribbean (FONOTICA)[33] 1
Chile (Monitor Latino)[34] 18
Colombia (National-Report)[35] 1
Costa Rica (Monitor Latino)[36] 2
El Salvador (Monitor Latino)[37] 4
Guatemala (Monitor Latino)[38] 4
Latin America (Monitor Latino)[39] 1
Mexico (Monitor Latino)[40] 16
Nicaragua (Monitor Latino)[41] 13
Panama (PRODUCE)[42] 1
Paraguay (Monitor Latino)[43] 1
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[44] 66
Uruguay (Monitor Latino)[45] 6
US Hot Latin Pop Songs (Billboard)[46] 7
US Latin Airplay (Billboard)[47] 7
US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)[48] 3
Venezuela (Record Report)[49] 26

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Alejandro Sanz lanza un adelanto de 'Bésame', su nueva canción con Shakira". EuropaFM (in Spanish). 2025-05-19. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  2. ^ a b Ospina, Por Daniel (2025-05-23). "Así suena Shakira en "Bésame", la nueva canción de Alejandro Sanz que unió a los artistas casi 20 años después". infobae (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  3. ^ Nacional, El (2025-05-30). "Shakira y Alejandro Sanz juntos de nuevo en "Bésame"". EL NACIONAL (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  4. ^ "Watch: Shakira, Alejandro Sanz reunite in 'Besame' music video - UPI.com". UPI. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  5. ^ "Alejandro Sanz se desvive en elogios hacia Shakira tras 'Bésame'". TELEMUNDO.com (in Spanish). 2025-05-28. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  6. ^ "Alejandro Sanz retrata el estado actual de su vida en un EP marcado por la diversidad". Los Angeles Times en Español (in Spanish). 2025-05-24. Archived from the original on 2025-07-02. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  7. ^ a b Epiayu, Adelaida Beatriz Vangrieken (2025-06-12). "Shakira y Alejandro Sanz emocionan al mundo con 'Bésame', su nueva y poderosa balada". La Mega (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  8. ^ Cobo, Leila (2025-05-22). "Alejandro Sanz On How He Recovered His Love For Making Music". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  9. ^ "Alejandro Sanz retrata el estado actual de su vida en un EP marcado por la diversidad". Los Angeles Times en Español (in Spanish). 2025-05-24. Archived from the original on 2025-07-02. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  10. ^ "Alejandro Sanz y Shakira cantan al amor en 'Bésame', su tercera colaboración". EuropaFM (in Spanish). 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  11. ^ "Alejandro Sanz e Shakira estreiam colaboração inédita com "Bésame"". Lorena - Moda, Beleza, Celebridades , Esportes e Reality (in Portuguese). 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  12. ^ a b LOS40 (2025-05-23). "El aullido de Alejandro Sanz a Shakira en 'Bésame' que nos ha recordado a Loba y a BZRP Music Sessions 53 | Novedades". LOS40 (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2025-06-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Alario, Celia (2025-05-30). "Alejandro Sanz y Shakira nos presentan el videoclip de su nueva canción, 'Bésame': así es cómo se grabó". CADENA 100 (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  14. ^ Redação (2025-05-29). "Alejandro Sanz e Shakira lançam vídeo de "Bésame"". OFuxico (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  15. ^ Press, Europa (2025-05-30). "Alejandro Sanz y Shakira lanzan el video 'Bésame', una canción "espontánea" de un "reencuentro histórico"". www.europapress.es. Archived from the original on 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  16. ^ González, Melissa (2025-06-02). "(Video) Así fue el reencuentro de Shakira y Alejandro Sanz en "Bésame"". Periodico La República. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  17. ^ Vargas, Keyla Ospino (2025-05-29). "Alejandro Sanz y Shakira estrenan el video oficial de 'Bésame'". ELHERALDO.CO (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  18. ^ Quirós, José (2025-06-02). "Shakira y Alejandro Sanz lanzan "Bésame", un tema que desata rumores de romance". Repretel (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  19. ^ a b "Candela Márquez deja de seguir a Alejandro Sanz y desata los rumores de crisis: "¿Está celosa por el beso de Shakira?"". LaSexta (in Spanish). 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  20. ^ Entretenimiento, Milenio (2025-05-30). "Alejandro Sanz y Shakira reaviven su química en 'Bésame'". Grupo Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  21. ^ Caro, Soraya Martínez (2025-05-29). "Divinity - Moda, belleza, celebrities y tendencias". Divinity (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  22. ^ Godinez, Luisa Maria (May 30, 2025). "Cándela Márquez celosa del polémico video de Alejandro Sanz y Shakira". Emisoras Unidas (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  23. ^ EdgarvGutierrez (2025-05-29). "Molesta a novia de Alejandro Sanz el beso con Shakira". Entorno Informativo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  24. ^ "Candela Márquez deja de seguir a Alejandro Sanz tras la complicidad del cantante con Shakira: "No le ha sentado nada bien"". El Economista (in European Spanish). 28 May 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  25. ^ Salvador, Por Anabel Gómez (2025-05-29). "Cándela Márquez hace unfollow a Alejandro Sanz y Shakira tras la publicación de su nueva canción 'Bésame': "El vídeo prende..."". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  26. ^ LOS40 (2025-05-26). "El desafío más complicado para Alejandro Sanz y Shakira en 'Bésame': "No queríamos repetirnos" | Novedades". LOS40 (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2025-06-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Mier, Tomás (2025-05-22). "Shakira and Alejandro Sanz Reunite -- Again! -- for Love Song 'Bésame'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  28. ^ mesuena (2025-05-31). ""Bésame": ¿Cómo suena la nueva colaboración de Shakira y Alejandro Sanz?". Me Suena (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  29. ^ "Alejandro Sanz – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Alejandro Sanz. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  30. ^ "Top 20 Argentina – General – Del 16 al 22 de Junio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  31. ^ "Top 20 Bolivia – General – Del 7 al 13 de Julio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  32. ^ "Top 20 Centroamérica – General – Del 7 al 13 de Julio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  33. ^ "Top 20 Centroámerica + Caribe – Para la semana del 13 de Junio 2025" (in Spanish). FONOTICA. Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  34. ^ "Top 20 Chile – General – Del 2 al 8 de Junio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  35. ^ "Top 100 Colombia" (in Spanish). National-Report. Archived from the original on July 12, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  36. ^ "Top 20 Costa Rica – General – Del 23 al 29 de Junio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  37. ^ "Top 20 El Salvador – General – Del 9 al 15 de Junio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  38. ^ "Top 20 Guatemala – General – Del 23 al 29 de Junio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  39. ^ "Top 20 América Latina Internacional – General – Del 16 al 22 de Junio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  40. ^ "Top 20 México – General – Del 7 al 13 de Julio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  41. ^ "Top 20 Nicaragua – General – Del 7 al 13 de Julio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  42. ^ "TOP 50 INTERNACIONAL BMAT-PRODUCE DEL 26 DE JUNIO AL 03 DE JULIO DEL 2025" (in Spanish). Sociedad Panameña de Productores Fonográficos. Archived from the original on July 5, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  43. ^ "Top 20 Paraguay – General – Del 2 al 8 de Junio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  44. ^ "Top 100 Songs – Week 22, 2025". El Portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  45. ^ "Top 20 Uruguay – General – Del 23 al 29 de Junio, 2025". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  46. ^ "Alejandro Sanz Chart History (Hot Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  47. ^ "Alejandro Sanz Chart History (Latin Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  48. ^ "Alejandro Sanz Chart History (Latin Pop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  49. ^ "Top 100 - Record Report". Record Report. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2025.