The 'Despacito' Lyric Guide That Every Non-Spanish Speaker Needs

Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” became the No. 1 song in the country last week, a feat that hasn’t been achieved by a Spanish-language song since the “Macarena” in 1996.

The hit’s original version features reggeaton superstar Daddy Yankee. But in April, Justin Bieber decided to join the worldwide phenomenon and collaborated on a remix that quickly climbed the U.S. charts.

Bieber sings in Spanish for the first time on the track, and Fonsi said the Canadian artist learned the lyrics phonetically in less than a week. The Spanish lyrics didn’t seem to stick, however, as the singer appeared to forget all the words to the song during a New York City club performance on Tuesday.

We get it, “Despacito” can be challenging for non-Spanish speakers. That’s why HuffPost Latino Voices is giving English-speaking fans a quick lyric guide.

Here’s a rough translation of what the No. 1 song in the country is actually talking about. And yes, we’re using the lyrics from the original version.

“Despacito” or “Slowly”

Fonsi:

Sí, sabes que ya llevo un rato mirándote,
Tengo que bailar contigo hoy.
Vi que tu mirada ya estaba llamándome,
Muéstrame el camino que yo voy.

Yes, you know I’ve been looking at you for a while,

I have to dance with you today.

I saw that your look was already calling me,

show me the way and I’ll go.

¡Oh!
Tú, tú eres el imán y yo soy el metal.
Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan,
sólo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso.
Ya, ya me está gustando más de lo normal.
Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo más,
Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningún apuro.

Oh!

You, you’re the magnet and I’m the metal.

I’m getting closer and coming up with a plan,

just thinking about it accelerates my pulse.

I’m already enjoying it more than normal.

All of my senses are asking for more,

this has to be done without a hurry.

[Chorus]
Despacito
Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito.
Deja que te diga cosas al oído,
para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo.
Despacito
Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito.
Firmar en las paredes de tu laberinto
y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito

Quiero ver bailar tu pelo, quiero ser tu ritmo
Que le enseñes a mi boca, tus lugares favoritos.
Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro,
hasta provocar tus gritos
y que olvides tu apellido

[Chorus]
Slowly

I want to breathe your neck slowly.

Let me whisper things in your ear,

that you’ll remember when you’re not with me.

Slowly

I want to undress you with kisses slowly.

Sign the walls of your labyrinth

and turn your body into a manuscript.

I want to see your hair dance, I want to be your rhythm

I want you to show my mouth your favorite places.

Let me surpass your danger zone,

until it makes you scream

and makes you forget your last name.

Daddy Yankee:

Si te pido un beso, ven, dámelo. Yo sé que estás pensándolo.
Llevo tiempo intentándolo, mami, esto es dando y dándolo.
Sabes que tu corazón conmigo te hace bam-bam.
Sabes que esa beba está buscando de mi bam-bam.
Ven, prueba de mi boca para ver cómo te sabe.
Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuánto amor a ti te cabe.
Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje.
Empezamos lento, después salvaje.

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito.
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito.
Cuando tú me besas con esa destreza
veo que eres malicia con delicadeza.
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito.
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito.
Y es que esa belleza es un rompecabezas,
pero pa’ montarlo aquí tengo la pieza.
¡Oye!

If I ask you for a kiss, come on, give it to me. I know you’re thinking about it.

I’ve spent a while trying, mami, this is give and giving.

You know your heart with me goes bam-bam.

You know what this babe wants from me is bam-bam.

Come, taste my mouth to see how it tastes to you.

I want, want, want to see how much love fits in you.

I’m in no rush, I want to take the ride.

We’ll start slow and then go wild.

Step by step, gentle gently.

We’ll get closer, little by little.
When you kiss me with that skill,

I see that you are malice with finesse.

Step by step, gentle gently.

We’ll get closer, little by little.
This beauty is a puzzle,

but to put it together I have the piece.
Oye!

[CHORUS, 2x]

Luis Fonsi:
Despacito
Vamo’ a hacerlo en una playa en Puerto Rico,
hasta que las olas griten “¡Ay, Bendito!”
para que mi sello se quede contigo.
¡Bailalo!

Slowly

We’re going to do it on a beach in Puerto Rico,

until the waves scream “Oh, Lord!”

so that my seal [likely meaning mark or impression] stays with you.

Dance!

OK, now you’re ready to sing along with Fonsi and D.Y.!