Yonaguni by Bad Bunny: An Ode to Love, Longing, and a Japanese Island

Why Yonaguni? Bad Bunny’s Second Single of 2021 Takes Fans on a Surprising Journey

Bad Bunny, known for his creative boldness and unique musical style, surprised fans with Yonaguni, released on 4 June 2021.

This single—his second release of the year—departs from his usual reggaeton bangers, diving into a more introspective and emotional narrative.

Yonaguni is both a declaration of love and a testament to the lengths he’d go for someone special, even if it means flying to a remote Japanese island. So, what is the Yonaguni meaning?

But why Yonaguni? The choice wasn’t random. Yonaguni, a small island in Japan, is steeped in mystery, known for its natural beauty and the Yonaguni Monument, an underwater rock formation that has inspired theories of ancient lost civilisations.

Some even refer to it as “underwater pyramids in Japan.” It’s a fitting backdrop for a song about love and longing—reflecting that sense of reaching for something just out of grasp.

Heartbreak with a Sense of Humour: Bad Bunny’s Signature Style

In Yonaguni, Bad Bunny’s lyrics capture the painful yet oddly humorous side of heartache.

At one point, he even jokes about tattooing his love’s face on his own, hinting at the sometimes absurd ways we cope with unrequited love.

The song reflects the complexity of emotions—there’s longing, nostalgia, and a pinch of Bad Bunny’s signature playfulness.

His lyrics express that even though he knows he shouldn’t dwell on this person, he can’t help but think of them, going so far as to say, “Tell me where you are, I’ll get on a flight / And I’ll go to Yonaguni.”

The Yonaguni lyrics in English reveal a deeply vulnerable side, as he yearns for connection despite the distance.

The Power of Cultural Crossovers: Bad Bunny Sings in Japanese

Adding to the song’s distinct flavour, Bad Bunny sings in Japanese towards the end of Yonaguni.

This shift in language underscores the depth of his emotions and highlights his willingness to bridge cultural gaps in his music.

Towards the end of the song, his singing in Japanese conveys a sense of universality in his longing—a heartbreak so profound that it transcends language.

This isn’t just a gimmick. Bad Bunny’s use of Japanese adds authenticity to the narrative, painting him as a relatable figure who, despite his superstar status, experiences the same pangs of unrequited love as anyone else.

His lyrics might be grand, but his heartache is utterly human.

The song captures both the Yonaguni Bad Bunny meaning of longing and the cultural crossovers that make his music unique.

A Melancholy Club Banger: The Yonaguni Music Video

The music video for Yonaguni, directed by Stillz, adds a quirky layer to Bad Bunny’s emotional journey.

In the video, Bad Bunny’s melancholy is juxtaposed with humorous, slightly surreal visuals: there’s him awkwardly walking a pack of dogs, struggling through a “paint and sip” session, and getting a Pokémon tattoo.

Each scene amplifies his loneliness in a way that’s both relatable and amusing, as if he’s trying (and failing) to distract himself from his thoughts.

One scene in particular shows him watching the sunset alone, only to be interrupted by a nearby couple enjoying their moment—a painfully funny reminder of what he’s missing.

This blend of the sad and funny makes Yonaguni memorable, as Bad Bunny channels an all-too-relatable experience of trying to live normally while your mind is somewhere far, far away.

Yonaguni Island: The Real-World Inspiration Behind the Song

Yonaguni itself is a curious choice as a symbol of longing. Situated at Japan’s westernmost edge, closer to Taiwan than the Japanese mainland, the island is known for its isolated beauty and the mysterious Yonaguni Monument—sometimes called the “underwater pyramids in Japan.”

Some say it’s a natural wonder, while others believe it to be ruins of an ancient city, adding an air of mystique.

Bad Bunny’s choice of Yonaguni as the “destination” of his love is both poetic and symbolic; it’s remote, enigmatic, and a place most wouldn’t think to go, mirroring the unreachable nature of his feelings.

This backdrop gives Yonaguni a deeper layer of meaning, as though Bad Bunny’s longing is as vast and enigmatic as the island itself.

It’s a song about loving from afar, where the distance isn’t just physical but emotional and symbolic.

A Song that’s Equal Parts Vulnerable and Fun

Yonaguni isn’t just a song; it’s an exploration of Bad Bunny’s artistic flexibility.

While he’s known for his bold and vibrant style, this track showcases a different side—one that’s softer, introspective, and unafraid to laugh at itself.

By combining his Puerto Rican roots with Japanese influences, Bad Bunny crafts a love letter that’s as much about the journey of self-discovery as it is about a specific person.

In Yonaguni, Bad Bunny has created a rare blend: a song that hits the dance floor but also tugs at the heartstrings.

It’s not about sweeping declarations or grand conclusions; instead, it’s about the small, often silly ways we try to cope with love’s absence.

Whether he’s singing in Spanish or Japanese, walking a pack of dogs, or getting a Pokémon tattoo, Bad Bunny’s message is clear: love is complicated, sometimes ridiculous, but always deeply felt.

Bad Bunny Yonaguni Lyrics

Intro
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Yeah-yeah-yeah-eh, yeah

Pre-Chorus
Another night and extra glasses of wine
You don’t leave me alone, you don’t leave my mind

Chorus
Even though I know that I shouldn’t, ayy
Think of you, baby, but when I drink
Your name comes to mind, your face, your laugh, and your hair, ayy
Tell me where you’re at, for you I’ll get on a flight
And to Yonaguni I’ll make it, oh
Even though I know that I shouldn’t, ayy
Think of you, baby, but when I drink
Your name comes to mind, your face, your laugh, and your hair, ayy
Tell me where you are, for you I’ll get on a flight
And to Yonaguni I’ll make it, ayy

Verse 1
Don’t look for me on Instagram, mami, look for me at home
So that you see what happens, ayy
If you try me, you’ll get married, ayy
That bastard doesn’t even hug you
And I’m dying to touch you
But I don’t dare text you
You kill it in any outfit
Mami, you are different
Shorty, you have a big ass, eh
Ve-Very big
And I have it studied, I’m about to graduate
And on my face I’ll tattoo it
I saw that you saw my story and you uploaded one for me
I was going to sleep, ayy
In the club there were a thousand women
And I’m dancing with you in my mind

Chorus
Even though I know that I shouldn’t
Think of you, baby, but when I drink
Your name comes to mind, your face, your laugh, and your hair, ayy
Tell me where you are, for you I’ll get on a flight
And to Yonaguni I’ll make it

Verse 2
If you give me your address, I’ll send you a thousand letters
If you give me your bank account, a million pesos
The whole night on my knees I pray to God
So that before the year ends you give me a kiss
And to start 2023 fucking good
With you and a blunt
You look like an assassin with those jeans (Woo!)
You kill me without a pistol
And I’ll buy you a Banshee
Gucci, Givenchy
A poodle, a frenchie
The weed, the munchies
I’ll sing mariachi to you
I’ll become Itachi, eh

Bridge
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Bad Bunny, baby, baby
Bad Bunny, baby, baby

Outro
I want to have sex today
But only with you
Where are you?
Where are you?
I want to have sex today
But only with you
Where are you?
Where are you? Eh