"Somos Nada" (transl. "We Are Nothing") is a song recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for her ninth studio and second Spanish-language album, Aguilera (2022). It was written by Aguilera, Federico Vindver, Mario Domm, Sharlene Taulé, and was produced by Rafa Arcaute and Vindver, co-produced Afo Verde and Jean Rodríguez as a vocal producer. The song was released through Sony Music Latin as the album's second single on November 18, 2021. The song is featured on the album's first part, La Fuerza (transl.The Strength).

"Somos Nada"
Single by Christina Aguilera
from the album Aguilera
LanguageSpanish
English title"We Are Nothing"
ReleasedNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)
Recorded2021
StudioArt House (Miami)
GenreLatin pop
Length3:01
LabelSony Latin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"Pa Mis Muchachas"
(2021)
"Somos Nada"
(2021)
"Santo"
(2022)
Music video
"Somos Nada" on YouTube

"Somos Nada" is a slow tempo, stripped-down ballad, featuring only Aguilera's vocals over a piano instrumental. Its lyrical content contrast the rest of La Fuerza, as it is one of the most vulnerable moments on the album. According to Aguilera, the song is about embracing "the contrast of vulnerability and strength. The journey within oneself." The song received positive reviews from critics, who named it one of Aguilera's signature songs. A music video was released on November 19, 2021.

Background and composition

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"Somos Nada" is a "stripped-down piano-led nostalgic ballad that puts her deep, powerful tone at the forefront".[1] The track was called a "signature" Aguilera song where she "delivers a raw and emotional performance".[1] The song is about the search for love in the face of emptiness and flying on "glass wings".[2][3] "Somos Nada" taps into emptiness, the universal theme of vulnerability and inner strength, courage and independence, faith in one's own abilities, taking risks in the face of difficulties.[4][5] In the song, Aguilera sings about overcoming obstacles and trying to not lose faith in love.[6] According to The Recording Academy, the song explores "how someone can simultaneously be your everything and nothing".[7]

The song is written in the key of A minor, with a moderately slow tempo of 50 beats per minute.[8][9] Aguilera's vocals span from C3 to D5.[8]

Release and music video

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"Somos Nada" was released on November 18, 2021.[10] Its music video was directed by Alexandre Moore,[11] and was shot alongside the music video for "Pa Mis Muchachas" in Los Angeles, California.[12][13] It continues the visual story line that began with "Pa Mis Muchachas" where Aguilera found out her lover and business partner is betraying her, and finishing him off. Genna Rivieccio of Culled Culture noted that Aguilera portrays a California-style gangster in the video, which itself has Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have My Money" "vibe".[14] The story line was continued in the music video for "Santo". A three-minute behind-the scenes footage was released on Aguilera's YouTube channel in 2022.[15]

Critical reception

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"Somos Nada" received mostly positive reviews from music critics.[16] Neil Z. Yeung from AllMusic believed that the "piano-backed ballad sits alongside its most heart-rending siblings on Stripped" [Aguilera's fourth studio album].[17] Aldo Magallanes of a daily newspaper El Siglo de Torreón called Aguilera's vocal performance "powerful" and noted that it "brings the lyrics to life in a way that only she knows how". According to the critic, the singer's voice perfectly captures "Somos Nada's" "depth, vulnerability, and intensity".[5] Rolling Stone en Español commented that "Aguilera dares to take risks with 'Somos Nada', her new song".[18] Pip Ellwood-Hughes, a journalist for Entertainment Focus, said the song was "strong" and significantly different from La Fuerza's previous single, "Pa Mis Muchachas".[19] Lucas Villa from Rolling Stone said: "Aguilera weathers the elements and heartbreak to find her inner strength to move on".[20] Writing for NEIU Independent, Enrique Cerros opined that "Aguilera is at her best when she can showcase her mezzo-soprano vocals without heavy, distracting beats", and "'Somos Nada' does exactly that".[6]

Live performances and cover versions

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Aguilera performed at the 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 18, 2021. She performed "Somos Nada" with Julio Reyes Copello on the piano, before performing the album's previous single,"Pa' Mis Muchachas" alongside Becky G, Nathy Peluso and Nicki Nicole.[21][22] She also performed "Somos Nada" during her set at World AIDS Day Concert LA Revival on December 1, 2021.[23] On December 7, Aguilera was honored with the first-ever Music Icon award at the 47th People's Choice Awards and performed a medley of hits, as well as "Somos Nada".[24]

In July 2022, Dania González made a cover of the song on the eleventh season of La Voz, a Mexican singing competition television series.[25]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from Spotify,[26] and from the liner notes of La Fuerza:

  • Lead vocals – Christina Aguilera
  • Producers – Rafa Arcaute, Federico Vindver
  • Composers – Aguilera, Federico Vindver, Mario Domm, Sharlene Taulé
  • Co-producer – Afo Verde
  • Vocal producer – Jean Rodríguez

Charts

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Chart (2021) Peak
position
Spain Digital Songs (Billboard)[27][28] 10
US Latin Digital Songs (Billboard)[29] 5

References

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  1. ^ a b Weiner, Josh (January 28, 2022). "Our Take: Christina Aguilera Makes a Triumphant Return to Latin Music with 'La Fuerza'". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ^ Martínez, Estefanía (November 24, 2021). "Escucha 'Somos Nada' de Christina Aguilera". CusicaPlus, Cusica. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022.
  3. ^ Huston-Crespo, Marysabel (January 20, 2022). "Christina Aguilera vuelve a cantar en español en 'La Fuerza', su primera producción en español en 20 años". CNN en Español, WarnerMedia. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ Joe, Bernadette (November 21, 2021). "The Real Meaning Of Somos Nada By Christina Aguilera". Nicki Swift. Static Media. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Magallanes, Aldo (November 19, 2021). "Christina Aguilera lanza el tema Somos nada, compuesto por el lagunero Mario Domm". El Siglo de Torreón. El Siglo, Cía. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ a b Cerros, Enrique (March 5, 2022). "Christina Aguilera Embraces her Latin Roots with 'La Fuerza'". NEIU Independent. Illinois College Press Association/Associated Collegiate Press. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  7. ^ Caraballo, Ecleen Luzmila (November 19, 2021). "Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera, Rubén Blades, Danna Paola & More: 10 Unforgettable Moments From The 2021 Latin GRAMMYs". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Christina Aguilera 'Somos Nada' Sheet Music in A Minor". Musicnotes.com. November 19, 2021. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. ^ "Somos Nada by Christina Aguilera, Ozuna – Key and BPM". SongData.io. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ^ "Somos Nada – Single by Christina Aguilera". iTunes. November 18, 2021.
  11. ^ "Christina Aguilera y 'Somos Nada', su nuevo vídeo". Qué!, Grupo Vocento. November 19, 2021. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  12. ^ Martínez, Estefanía (November 24, 2021). "Escucha 'Somos Nada' de Christina Aguilera". CusicaPlus, Cusica. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "VIDEO: Christina Aguilera Shares 'Somos Nada' Music Video".
  14. ^ Rivieccio, Genna (January 21, 2022). "La Fuerza is with Xtina". Culled Culture. Neonmagzin. Archived from the original on March 31, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  15. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Somos Nada (Behind the Scenes)". Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via YouTube. Alphabet Inc.
  16. ^ ""Stream: Christina Aguilera's Spanish EP 'La Fuerza'"". That Grape Juice, Townsquare Music. January 21, 2022. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  17. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Aguilera – Review by Neil Z. Yeung". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. ^ "Christina Aguilera se atreve a tomar riesgos en 'Somos nada', su nueva canción". Rolling Stone en Español (in Spanish). Penske Media Corporation. November 24, 2021. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  19. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (January 27, 2022). ""Christina Aguilera – 'La Fuerza' EP Review"". Entertainment Focus, Piñata Media Limited. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  20. ^ Villa, Lucas (January 24, 2022). "Christina Aguilera Successfully Embraces Her Roots on 'La Fuerza'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  21. ^ "Christina Aguilera Debuts Sultry Song "Somos Nada" During the Latin Grammys". Pop Sugar. November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  22. ^ "Christina Aguilera Rocks Fiery Look During Epic Return to the 2021 Latin Grammys Stage". E!. November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  23. ^ "AHF PRESENTS: WORLD AIDS DAY – THE LA REVIVAL, LA". Average Socialite. December 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  24. ^ "Christina Aguilera Reflects on Her Incredible 2021: 'This Has Been a Year FULL of Celebration!'". People. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  25. ^ Salazar, Estefani (July 5, 2022). "'Quiero que no seas un caballero conmigo': Integrante de Ha*Ash coquetea con concursante de 'La Voz' – VIDEO". El Heraldo de México. Grupo Andrade. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  26. ^ "Somos Nada – Single by Christina Aguilera". Spotify. November 18, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  27. ^ "Spain Digital Songs – The week of December 4, 2021". Billboard. Billboard Media, LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  28. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Spain Digital Songs)". Billboard. Billboard Media, LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  29. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Latin Digital Songs)". Billboard. Billboard Media, LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2022.