Sálvame Explained

Sálvame
Cover:Sálvame - RBD.jpg
Caption:Official cover art
Alt:Dulce, Alfonso, Maite, Christopher, Christian and Anahí wearing winter gear and standing in a line with a snow-filled background. The song's name and the group's logo appear above them.
Type:single
Artist:RBD
Album:Rebelde
Language:Spanish
English Title:"Save Me"
Released:15 March 2005
Recorded:2004
Length:3:43
Label:EMI
Prev Title:Solo quédate en silencio
Prev Year:2004
Next Title:Un Poco de Tu Amor
Next Year:2005

"Sálvame" is a song recorded by Mexican pop group RBD. It was released as the third single from their debut album, Rebelde (2004). It became a number one hit all over Ibero-America, becoming their third consecutive number-one single in Mexico. Anahí sings the lead vocals while the rest of the band sing on the chorus. The song became a phenomenon of its own, loved by fans across the globe and widely regarded as the group's signature anthem.[1] Its Portuguese and English versions were released alongside their albums in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Background

In mid-2004, Televisa began production on the teen-oriented telenovela Rebelde, and its main young actors Anahí, Alfonso Herrera, Dulce María, Christopher von Uckermann, Maite Perroni, and Christian Chávez were put together by the show's producers to form the band RBD. The song was used extensively throughout the show, mostly during scenes featuring a tearful "Mía" (played by Anahí). Their album was recorded in two days, and released on 30 November 2004, to positive reviews and commercial success, reaching the number one spot on Mexican charts.[2]

Release

Preceded by "Rebelde" and "Solo Quédate En Silencio", "Sálvame" was released on 15 March 2005, as the album's third single. In Brazil, the song was released along with "Solo Quédate En Silencio", on a double A-Side single. The band recorded a Portuguese version of their debut album following immense success in Brazil, and the song's version in the language was also released as a single in the country, under the title "Salva-me".[3]

The song's sequel, "Algún Día", was recorded and sung solely by Anahí in 2006, and is featured on RBD's third Spanish studio album, Celestial. The English version, "Save Me", was recorded and featured on RBD's English studio album, Rebels, also from 2006, with a different instrumental.[4] Anahí was the main singer on the two new versions as she was on the original Spanish version. "Sálvame" is the group's only solo song to be recorded in all three languages.

Composition and lyrics

"Sálvame" is a Latin pop ballad that lasts 3 minutes and 43 seconds. It was written by DJ Kafka and Max di Carlo, and produced by the latter alongside Armando Ávila and Carlos Lara. The lyrics find Anahí in a depressed state since her lover left her. In the first verse, she sings "Vivo en la desesperanza" ("I live in hopelessness"), while in the refrain she states she "survives from pure anxiety" ("Sobrevivo por pura ansiedad"). In the pre-chorus, the singer says that "little by little the heart, is losing faith" ("Poco a poco el corazón, va perdiendo la fe"). In the second verse, Anahí reveals that despite her attempts to move on, "...love is the word, that is sometimes hard for [her] to forget" ("...amor es la palabra, que me cuesta a veces olvidar"). During the chorus, she pleads for her ex-partner to save her from "loneliness" and "darkness". The band echoes this sentiment, stating: "Save me from oblivion" and "weariness" ("Sálvame del olvido", "Sálvame del hastío").[5]

Music video

The music video was the group's third to have been directed by Pedro Damián. It was shot in Canada while the band and young cast of the telenovela were in the country during filming of Rebelde. The band perform on the snow, playing instruments, like drums and guitars, with Anahí singing the song, while their castmates skate in the background. Behind the scenes footage was also used in the video.[6]

Following the relaunch of RBD's music in 2020, "Sálvame" became their most-viewed video on YouTube, reaching 100 million views. It has earned an additional 19 million views as of September 2023.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2005)Peak
position
Chile (Lincoln Journal)[8] 6
Colombia (Hispanos Unidos)[9] 5
El Salvador (La Nación)[10] 7
Guatemala (La Nación)[11] 1
Mexico (Hispanos Unidos)[12] 5
US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)27

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ardila . Erika . January 20, 2023 . What are RBD's most iconic songs? . August 30, 2023 . Al Día.
  2. Web site: 1 January 2004 . Rebelde . 22 September 2023 . Spotify.
  3. Web site: 1 January 2005 . Rebelde (Edição Português) . 22 September 2023 . Spotify.
  4. Web site: 1 January 2006 . Rebels . 22 September 2023 . Spotify.
  5. Web site: RBD – "Sálvame" Lyrics Genius . 1 December 2023 . Genius.
  6. Web site: 3 September 2020 . RBD - Sálvame . 22 September 2023 . YouTube.
  7. Web site: 22 September 2005 . 2nd Annual "Premios Juventud" Awards: A Night of Stars and Premier Performances . September 22, 2023 . . 5 December 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081205103240/http://www.univision.net/corp/en/pr/Miami_22092005-1.html . dead .
  8. News: Las diez canciones más populares . June 15, 2006 . March 13, 2023 . Lincoln Journal Star . es . 60 . Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Las diez canciones más populares . October 20, 2005 . September 12, 2023 . Hispanos Unidos . en . 16 . Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Los éxitos musicales en América Central . July 16, 2005 . March 23, 2023 . La Nación . es.
  11. News: Los éxitos musicales en América Central . August 13, 2005 . March 23, 2023 . La Nación . es.
  12. News: Las diez canciones más populares . July 14, 2005 . September 12, 2023 . Hispanos Unidos . es . 20 . Newspapers.com.
  13. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2006. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022.