Mariposas literally means "butterflies". It's a key word in a very common romantic expression in Spanish: sentir mariposas en el estómago, which is the equivalent of "to feel butterflies in your stomach" when you're in love.
This song gets its title and emotional core from this idea. The singer expresses his heartbreak with the line, "Hoy ya no vuelan mariposas" (Today, the butterflies don't fly anymore), creating a powerful and poetic image that the magic and excitement of love are gone.
Ever asked a DJ not to play a song because it hurts too much? That's exactly where this track starts! Aitana kicks it off by telling the DJ, "no ponga la canción / Que cada vez que suena, se me rompe el corazón" [don't play the song / because every time it plays, my heart breaks]. The song is all about that empty feeling right after a breakup, when the magic is gone. The title itself, "Mariposas," means butterflies, and she sings, "Hoy ya no vuelan mariposas" [Today the butterflies don't fly anymore]. That feeling of excitement and love is just... gone. Everything feels different now: "Bailar sin ti, no sé bailar / La música no suena igual" [Dancing without you, I don't know how to dance / The music doesn't sound the same].
What makes this song so good is how real it is about trying to move on. Aitana admits, "Anoche sí lloré / Pero no lloré más / Bueno, por lo menos traté" [Last night I did cry / But I didn't cry anymore / Well, at least I tried]. We've all been there! Then, sangiovanni comes in with a verse in Italian that looks back at the beginning of the relationship. He compares his attraction to her to butterflies drawn to a light, singing, "Come me che tra miliardi di persone / Vengo verso di te" [Like me, who among billions of people / Comes towards you]. It's a sweet memory that makes the current sadness feel even stronger.
Giovanni Pietro Damian, known as Sangiovanni, is a dynamic Italian singer and songwriter born in 2003 in Vicenza, Veneto. With a fresh take on pop and urban music, Sangiovanni quickly rose to fame after participating in the 20th season of the Italian talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi, where he won the singing category and captured the hearts of a nationwide audience.
His breakthrough came with the hit single "Malibu," which became Italy's most streamed track in 2021. Sangiovanni's debut EP topped Italian charts and earned multiple platinum certifications, showcasing his talent for creating catchy and emotionally charged songs. Known for blending heartfelt lyrics with contemporary sounds, he continues to be one of Italy's most exciting young artists, celebrated for his energetic performances and relatable music.