Alelí refers to the alyssum flower, a delicate and fragrant bloom. It's a beautiful and somewhat rare word to encounter in song lyrics, making it particularly memorable.
In the song, Mon Laferte promises to give a grand Alelí to her beloved once they say "yes." This gesture symbolizes a heartfelt offering of beauty and affection, elevating the word beyond a simple flower to represent deep romantic sentiment.
“Aleli” is a tender duet between Mon Laferte and Caloncho, built around the sea and a single flower. He calls her “Niña bonita” [Pretty girl] and “Ojitos tristes” [Sad little eyes], promising “Quiero cuidarte” [I want to take care of you] “De martes a martes” [From Tuesday to Tuesday] — an ordinary stretch of time, not a grand forever. The gift he keeps circling back to is “Voy a regalarte un gran Alelí” [I'm going to give you a big gillyflower], and every time she says yes he pictures himself carried along on a “Río de felicidad” [River of happiness].
The chorus stays with one small scene — a full moon on the water, “Déjame que yo te lleve a bailar” [Let me take you to dance] — and the plain fact that for now, “Solo somos tú y yo” [It's just you and I]. By the second verse the flower becomes sunflowers, and the quiet, half-asleep life he describes only wakes up because of her: “Tengo una vida” [I have a life] “Linda y dormida” [Pretty and asleep] “Cuando llegaste” [When you arrived], “Me despertaste” [You woke me up].
Mon Laferte (born Norma Monserrat Bustamante Laferte in 1983) is a celebrated Chilean and Mexican singer, songwriter, and painter known for her dynamic music style that spans pop, rock, bolero, and more. Originally from Viña del Mar, Chile, she began her career under her birth name before relocating to Mexico in 2007 where she embraced the stage name Mon Laferte, marking a fresh start in both her personal life and artistic journey.
With over 4.8 million equivalent album sales in Mexico alone, Mon Laferte stands as the best-selling Chilean artist of the digital era. Her powerful voice and emotive songwriting have earned her five Latin Grammy Awards and multiple nominations, placing her among the best female Latin pop artists of all time. Mon Laferte’s captivating stage presence and ability to mix genres have made her a standout figure in Latin music today.