Sonsonete refers to a repetitive, often annoying, and monotonous sound or tune. It's a colorful and somewhat onomatopoeic word that isn't heard in everyday conversation.
In "La Cigarra," the singer tells the cicada, "Que acabe tu sonsonete" (May your monotonous sound end). This expresses a desire for the cicada's constant, mournful song to stop, as it reminds her of her own sorrows and mortality. It's a vivid word that captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by a persistent, unwelcome sound.
This version of “La Cigarra” feels like someone singing right on the edge of pain and joy at the same time. The singer talks to a cicada and says, “Ya no me cantes cigarra” [“Don’t sing to me anymore, cicada”], because its song feels like a knife in the soul. She knows that “cuando cantas / pregonando vas tu muerte” [“when you sing, you go announcing your own death”], so every note reminds her that life is short and full of sadness. It is dark, almost dramatic, but in a very honest way: she even asks a sailor if there is “otro color más negro / que el color de mis pesares” [“another color darker than the color of my sorrows”]. That line is so extra, but it fits the mood perfectly.
At the same time, the song is weirdly hopeful. A little dove appears, “un palomito al volar / que llevaba el pecho herido” [“a little dove flying, with its chest wounded”], tired of looking for “un amor correspondido” [“a love that is returned”]. So we have hurt, unreturned love, and this feeling that everything is too much. And what does she do? She sits “bajo la sombra de un árbol” [“under the shadow of a tree”], plays guitar, and sings a huapango happily “porque la vida se acaba” [“because life ends”]. That twist is the heart of the song: instead of giving up, she wants to “morir cantando / como muere la cigarra” [“die singing, like the cicada dies singing”]. It is a proud, slightly defiant idea of living and loving so fully that even your goodbye comes with music.
Natalia Altea Jiménez Sarmento, born on December 29, 1981, in Madrid, Spain, is a dynamic Spanish singer-songwriter renowned for her powerful vocals and versatile musical style spanning pop, Latin pop, mariachi, and rock. She began her musical journey performing in the streets and subways of Madrid before rising to fame as the lead vocalist of the popular band La 5ª Estación.
Launching a successful solo career, Natalia has sold over 3 million albums worldwide and received both Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards. She is celebrated for collaborations with Latin music stars such as Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee, and Ricky Martin. Beyond recording, Natalia has served as a coach on various versions of The Voice, showcasing her talent and mentorship. With a deep connection to her Spanish roots and Mexican music traditions, she continues to inspire fans globally through her heartfelt songs and exceptional artistry.