Peste literally translates to "stench" or "plague". It's a very strong word used to describe an overwhelming, foul smell or a devastating disease.
In this song, Romeo Santos uses it in a deeply poetic way, singing "Nuestro apartamento tiene una peste a agonía" (Our apartment has a stench of agony). He's not describing a literal smell, but rather the suffocating atmosphere of despair and heartbreak that now fills his home. This dramatic metaphor makes it an incredibly powerful and memorable word.
Ever been so heartbroken you start talking to your phone for help? That's exactly where Romeo Santos is in this song. He's using his phone's virtual assistant as a therapist and a messenger to try and get his ex back. He literally asks her, "Siri, llámala y dile que, que vuelva" [Siri, call her and tell her to come back]. He feels totally lost without his partner, saying his house has turned into a jungle and that he's so lonely he's "recuperé la virginidad / Haciendo el amor con la soledad" [recovered my virginity / making love with loneliness].
His whole world has fallen apart. He can't sleep, his apartment "tiene una peste a agonía" [has a stench of agony], and he's driving his computer crazy by googling her. He even feels like he's gone viral online from begging for her to return. It's a classic, dramatic bachata story of heartbreak, but with a very modern twist. Instead of writing a letter, he's asking Siri to make the call for him.
Anthony "Romeo" Santos, born on July 21, 1981, in New York City, is an iconic American singer and songwriter of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. Known as "The King of Bachata," Romeo rose to fame as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the groundbreaking bachata group Aventura, which helped bring this traditional genre to international audiences by blending it with hip hop and R&B.
Since launching his solo career in 2011, Romeo Santos has become one of the best-selling Latin artists ever, with over 24 million records sold worldwide. His music features heartfelt bachata rhythms infused with Latin pop, and he is celebrated for chart-topping hits like "Propuesta Indecente" and collaborations with artists such as Usher and Drake. With numerous sold-out shows at venues like Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium, Santos continues to shape Latin music and captivate fans around the globe.