De Cora Explained
"De Cora <3" (also stylized as "De Cora ") is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro and Colombian singer J Balvin for Alejandro's debut studio album, Afrodisíaco (2020). It was written by Alejandro, Caleb Calloway, Colla, Eric Duars, D'Alexis, and Balvin, while the production was handled by Calloway and Alejandro. The song was released for digital download and streaming by Sony Music Latin and Duars Entertainment on November 12, 2020, as the fifth single from the album. A Spanish language romantic urbano song, it expresses the feelings of someone who still misses his ex-partner, wishing her the best.
"De Cora <3" received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its rhythms and the contrast in the singers' vocals. The track was commercially successful, reaching number one in El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Puerto Rico, as well as the top five in Guatemala and Mexico. In Spain and on Billboards Hot Latin Songs in the United States, it peaked in the top 20. The song has received several certifications, including platinum in Spain. An accompanying music video, released simultaneously with the song, was directed by Gustavo "Gus" Camacho. It depicts the singers as two prisoners who go to a work camp, cleaning and trimming trees made of clouds, to make it rain for their beloved. To promote the song, Alejandro and Balvin performed it on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
Background and release
Rauw Alejandro announced that he was working on his debut studio album Afrodisíaco in February 2020.[1] On October 13, 2020, he shared photos of himself along with J Balvin on social media, using the hashtag #Afrodisíaco, confirming that there would be a collaboration between the two singers on the album.[2] [3] On November 9, 2020, Alejandro revealed the album's track list, including his collaboration with Balvin, entitled "De Cora <3", as the sixth track.[4] On November 12, 2020, the song was released for digital download and streaming by Sony Music Latin and Duars Entertainment as the fourth single from Afrodisíaco.[5] [6] During an interview with MTV News, Alejandro talked about the collaboration:
Composition and lyrics
Musically, "De Cora <3" is a Spanish language urbano song,[7] [8] written by Alejandro, Caleb Calloway, Colla, Eric Duars, D'Alexis, and Balvin. Its production was handled by Calloway and Alejandro, and the track runs for a total of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.[5] As Alejandro explains, "De Cora", which translates to "From Heart" in English, is a common phrase in Puerto Rico, when they "really mean something".[9] "<3" represents a "little heart symbol" which used to be popular on SMS messages in the 2000s.[10]
Lyrically, "De Cora <3" is a romantic song about living with a young woman in a beautiful home,[6] [11] expressing the feelings of someone who still misses his partner.[9] It talks about how you can wish your ex-partner the best, even if you are no longer with her.[8] The lyrics include, "Extraño el sabor de tu boca / Extraño saborearte / A tu cuerpo le digo Picasso, porque tu eres arte / Me obligan a pensarte" (I miss the taste of your mouth / I miss tasting you / I call your body Picasso because you are art / They force me to think about you).[9]
Critical reception
Alberto Palao Murcia from Los 40 gave "De Cora <3" a positive review, saying it "invites you to dance at all times thanks to its base".[9] In 2022, Ernesto Lechner from Rolling Stone ranked the track as Alejandro's 13th-best song, stating that he "sounds perfectly" next to Balvin. The critic continued praising "the contrast in their voices" as "spectacular", while describing the song's chorus and pre-chorus as "addictive".[12]
Commercial performance
"De Cora <3" debuted and peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart on November 28, 2020, becoming Alejandro's 12th entry and Balvin's 73rd.[13] The song also peaked at numbers 19 and 11 on the Latin Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay charts, respectively. In Spain's official weekly chart, the track debuted and peaked at number 18 on November 1, 2020. It was later certified platinum by the Productores de Música de España (PROMUSICAE), for track-equivalent sales of over 40,000 units in the country. Additionally, "De Cora <3" reached number one in El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Puerto Rico,[8] as well as the top 10 in Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Mexico. In Mexico, the song was certified platinum by the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas (AMPROFON), for track-equivalent sales of over 140,000 units.
Promotion
Music video
An accompanying music video was released simultaneously with the song. The visual was filmed in Colombia and directed by Venezuelan director Gustavo "Gus" Camacho,[6] [10] who had also directed the videos for Alejandro's previous singles "Fantasías",[14] "Fantasías (Remix)",[15] "Elegí",[16] "Tattoo (Remix)",[17] "Elegí (Remix)",[18] and "Enchule".[19] It depicts the singers as two prisoners who go to a work camp, cleaning and trimming trees made of clouds, to make it rain for their beloved.[6] [9]
Live performances
Alejandro and Balvin performed the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden on November 23, 2020.[12] [20]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]
- Rauw Alejandro associated performer, composer, lyricist, producer
- J Balvin associated performer, composer, lyricist
- Héctor C. López "Caleb Calloway" composer, lyricist, producer
- José M. Collazo "Colla" composer, lyricist, mastering engineer, mixing engineer
- Eric Pérez Rovira "Eric Duars" composer, lyricist, executive producer
- Angel Ruben Díaz "D'Alexis" composer, lyricist
- Amber Rubi Urena A&R coordinator
- John Eddie Pérez A&R director
- Jorge E. Pizarro "Kenobi" recording engineer
Charts
Weekly charts
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
Release history
Notes and References
- News: Rauw Alejandro anticipa su segundo disco con un nuevo single romántico: 'Tattoo'. Billboard Argentina. es. February 13, 2020. September 13, 2022. September 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220913220524/https://billboard.com.ar/rauw-alejandro-anticipa-su-segundo-disco-con-un-nuevo-single-romantico-tattoo/. live.
- rauwalejandro. Rauw Alejandro. Rauw Alejandro. 1315773842627923973. October 13, 2020. Ando por Medallo con su niño ... #Afrodisíaco #JBalvin #RauwAlejandro. es. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131190734/https://twitter.com/rauwalejandro/status/1315773842627923973?s=19. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023.
- News: Rauw Alejandro y J Balvin juntos en Medellín... ¿Se viene colaboración?. RTVE. es. October 13, 2020. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131190753/https://www.rtve.es/playz/20201013/rauw-alejandro-jbalvin-juntos-medellin-afrodisiaco-colaboracion/2044651.shtml. live.
- News: Rauw Alejandro anuncia su álbum 'Afrodisíaco'. Miller. Jermaine Miller. Los 40. es. November 9, 2020. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131205024/http://los40.co.cr/los40/2020/11/10/actualidad/1604971112_105590.html. live.
- Web site: De Cora <3 - Single by Rauw Alejandro, J Balvin. Spotify. January 31, 2023. February 1, 2023. https://archive.today/20230201115933/https://open.spotify.com/album/3XNfl4zshnTU64OY46eEUR. dead.
- Rauw Alejandro, J Balvin Pine for a Lover in 'De Cora' Video. Shaffer. Claire. Rolling Stone. November 12, 2020. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131192146/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/rauw-alejandro-j-balvin-de-cora-video-1089590/. live.
- News: De Cora <3 MP3 Song Download by Rauw Alejandro. Gaana. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131221701/https://gaana.com/song/de-cora-3. live.
- News: Hot Song. Mendez. Josh. Monitor Latino. es. November 23, 2020. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131221613/https://monitorlatino.com/top/hot-song-monitorlatino-32/. live.
- News: Rauw Alejandro y J Balvin se suben a las nubes en 'De Cora <3': ¡Mira la letra y el vídeo!. Murcia. Alberto Palao. Los 40. es. November 13, 2020. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131212018/https://los40.com/los40/2020/11/13/videoclips/1605256765_728501.html. live.
- News: Rauw Alejandro publica su primer disco, 'Afrodisíaco'. Popelera. es. November 16, 2020. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131212033/https://www.popelera.net/rauw-alejandro-disco-afrodisiaco/. live.
- News: Rauw Alejandro y J Balvin, más románticos que nunca en 'De Cora <3'. RTVE. es. November 12, 2020. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131212133/https://www.rtve.es/playz/20201112/rauw-alejandro-balvin-estrenan-cora/2055545.shtml. live.
- The 50 Best Rauw Alejandro Songs. Rolling Stone. Lechner. Ernesto. November 8, 2022. November 11, 2022. November 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221108152530/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-50-best-rauw-alejandro-songs-1234621320/. live.
- J Balvin Chart History (Hot Latin Songs). Billboard. January 31, 2023.
- News: Rauw Alejandro y Farruko comparten sus Fantasías. Primera Hora. es. August 30, 2019. November 14, 2022. November 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221114112459/https://www.primerahora.com/entretenimiento/musica/notas/rauw-alejandro-y-farruko-comparten-sus-fantasias/. live.
- Latin Remix of the Week: Rauw Alejandro's 'Fantasias' With Anuel AA, Natti Natasha, Farruko & Lunay. Billboard. Roiz. Jessica. March 6, 2020. November 5, 2022. November 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221106214316/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/rauw-alejandro-fantasias-remix-anuel-aa-natti-natasha-farruko-lunay-9329905/. live.
- News: Así suena la nueva canción de Rauw Alejandro, Lenmy Tavárez, Dalex y Dimelo Flow. Oxigeno Fm. es. March 29, 2020. January 24, 2023. January 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230124211856/https://www.oxigeno.fm/2020/asi-suena-la-nueva-cancion-rauw-alejandro-lenmy-tavarez-dalex-dimelo-flow-222027.html. live.
- News: Camilo y Rauw Alejandro se pasean en triciclo por Miami en el remix de 'Tattoo'. Europa FM. July 10, 2020. October 23, 2022. October 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221023174058/https://www.europafm.com/noticias/musica/camilo-rauw-alejandro-pasean-triciclo-miami-remix-tattoo-letra-cancion_202007105f084d2b8fbe650001b4277e.html. live.
- News: Rauw Alejandro estrena nuevo remix de su éxito 'Elegí' junto a Dalex y Lenny Tavarez. es. El Comercio. August 29, 2020. January 24, 2023. January 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230124223255/https://elcomercio.pe/luces/musica/rauw-alejandro-estrena-nuevo-remix-de-su-exito-elegi-junto-a-dalex-y-lenny-tavarez-nndc-noticia/?ref=ecr. live.
- News: Rauw Alejandro Debuts His Dance-Heavy 'Enchule' Music Video. Villa. Lucas. Remezcla. September 18, 2020. January 26, 2023. January 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230126164223/https://remezcla.com/music/rauw-alejandro-enchule-video/. live.
- News: Rauw Alejandro & J Balvin: De Cora ᐸ3. The Global Herald. November 26, 2020. February 1, 2023. February 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201141252/https://theglobalherald.com/entertainment/rauw-alejandro-j-balvin-de-cora-%E1%90%B83/. live.
- Web site: De Cora <3 / Rauw Alejandro, J Balvin. Tidal. February 1, 2023.
- Web site: Top 20 General – República Dominicana – Del 21 al 27 de Diciembre, 2020. Monitor Latino. January 31, 2023. Spanish. live. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131225209/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/Print/rd/general/20201221.
- Web site: Top 20 General – Guatemala – Del 21 al 27 de Diciembre, 2020. Monitor Latino. January 31, 2023. Spanish. live. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131225336/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/Print/guatemala/general/20201221.
- Web site: Top 20 General – Honduras – Del 21 al 27 de Diciembre, 2020. Monitor Latino. January 31, 2023. Spanish. live. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131225532/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/Print/honduras/general/20201221.
- Rauw Alejandro Chart History (Mexico Airplay). August 13, 2022. Billboard. August 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220813201117/https://www.billboard.com/artist/rauw-alejandro/chart-history/mex/. live.
- News: Rauw Alejandro & J Balvin – De Cora <3. Canciones Top 50. January 31, 2023.
- Web site: Enero - Top #100 de canciones de SGP. . January 31, 2023. es . January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131231738/http://www.sgp.com.py/listado/97/enero-top-100-de-canciones-de-sgp. live .
- Web site: Chart Anual Monitor Latino 2021 – Guatemala Pop. es. January 31, 2023. Monitor Latino. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131234059/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top100/anual/2021/Guatemala/pop/charts-las-mejores-canciones-por-pa%C3%ADs/Tocadas. live.
- Web site: Chart Anual Monitor Latino 2021 – Honduras. es. December 2, 2021. Monitor Latino. December 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211202180428/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top100/anual/2021/Honduras/general. live.
- Web site: Chart Anual Monitor Latino 2021 – Puerto Rico Urbano. es. December 21, 2022. Monitor Latino. December 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221134758/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top100/anual/2021/Puerto%20Rico/urbano/charts-las-mejores-canciones-por-pa%C3%ADs/Impresiones. live.
- Hot Latin Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
- Latin Rhythm Airplay – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
- Web site: Chart Anual Monitor Latino 2021 – Venezuela Urbano. es. October 31, 2022. Monitor Latino. October 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221031165927/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top100/anual/2021/Venezuela/urbano. live.
- News: 'De Cora' Rauw Alejandro ft J Balvin - Sony Music. Monitor Latino. es. February 1, 2023. subscription. February 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201155218/https://reportes.monitorlatino.com/Reports/DetalleSearch/Canciones/pisong,1353815745. live.
- News: Radio Date. EarOne. it. August 15, 2022. August 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815202500/https://www.earone.it/radio_date/search/artist/history/rauw%20alejandro/. live.