The music by Juan Luis Guerra in early 90s was a pivotal moment for Bachata. While his music deviated from what was then seen as Bachata (his style is attributed to the TecnoBachata style that originated with Victor Victor, Sonia Silvestre, and others who wanted to make Bachata more likeable by the masses), his music was undeniably good — very good, in fact. His lyrics were sweet, and while not completely devoid of sexual double-entendre like other Bachateros, the lack of vulgarity had a way with those upper class listeners that had previously shunned Bachata and labeled it as low class music. His contributions to the genre helped propel Bachata into the spotlight and began to diminish stigmas the upper class had against it.

Burbujas de amor is one of the Bachatas on Juan Luis Guerra’s album, “Bachata Rosa,” released in 1990.

The Original, Tecno Bachata

Bolero Version, taking it back to the roots

It’s really cool to see what the same song could have sounded like if it had been produced as a Bolero/early Bachata song.

90’s Mainstream Bachata Version

Luis Vargas gives us a look at what the song could sound like if produced like mainstream Bachata songs in the 90s.

2010’s Bachata Version, more r&b/pop influenced style

Grupo Extra later re-imagined it as a Bachata song from their era with extra sweet singing and more of a pop feel.

Merengue Versions

Merengueros couldn’t help but turn it into their favorite genre, either.

Salsa Romántica Version

And, if you still needed more Burbujas de Amor in your life, there’s a Salsa version for you.

Bossa Nova Version

For chill days…

Norteño Version

Mexican artists did many versions of the song, both Norteños and Bandas. This was my favorite of them, but feel free to search the song on Spotify and explore all the many versions I didn’t include here.

Portuguese Language Version

Lyrics

I’ve got a heart
Mutilated by hope and reason
I hae a heart
That wakes up wherever
Ay ay ay ay

And this heart
Strips in patience before your voice
Poor heart
It can’t catch its sanity

I wish I were a fish
To touch my nose in your fishbowl
And make bubbles of love
Everywhere
Oh oh oh, pass the night awake
Wet in you
A fish
To sew corals on your waist
And make silhouettes of love
Underneath the moon
Oh oh oh, quench this madness
Wet in you

Sing, heart
With a necessary chain of illusion
Dream, heart
Don’t cloud your heart with bitterness
Ay ay ay ay

And this heart
Strips with impatience before your voice
Poor heart
Can’t catch its sanity

I wish I were a fish
To touch my nose
In your fishbowl
And make bubbles of love
Everywhere
Oh oh oh, pass the night awake
Wet in you
A fish
To sew corals on your waist
And make silhouettes of love
Underneath the moon
Oh oh oh, quench this madness
Wet in you

One night
To sink deep until the end
Face to face, kiss to kiss
An live forever
Wet in you

I wish I were a fish
To touch my nose
In your fishbowl
And make bubbles of love
Everywhere
Oh oh oh, pass the night awake
Wet in you
A fish
To sew corals on your waist
And make silhouettes of love
Underneath the moon
Oh oh oh, quench this madness
Wet in you

To touch my nose
In your fishbowl
And make bubbles of love
Everywhere
Oh oh oh, pass the night awake
Wet in you

A fish
To sew corals on your waist
And make silhouettes of love
Underneath the moon
Oh oh oh, quench this madness
Wet in you

Tengo un corazón
Mutilado de esperanza y de razón
Tengo un corazón
Que madruga adonde quiera
Ay ay ay ay

Y ese corazón
Se desnuda de impaciencia ante tu voz
Pobre corazón
Que no atrapa su cordura

Quisiera ser un pez
Para tocar mi nariz en tu pecera
Y hacer burbujas de amor
Por donde quiera
Oh-oh-oh pasar la noche en vela
Mojado en ti
Un pez
Para bordar de corales tu cintura
Y hacer siluetas de amor
Bajo la luna
Oh-oh-oh saciar esta locura
Mojado en ti

Canta corazón
Con un ancla imprescindible de ilusión
Sueña corazón
No te nubles de amargura
Ay ay ay ay

Y este corazón
Se desnuda de impaciencia ante tu voz
Pobre corazón
Que no atrapa su cordura

Quisiera ser un pez
Para tocar mi nariz
En tu pecera
Y hacer burbujas de amor
Por donde quiera
Oh-oh-oh pasar la noche en vela
Mojado en ti
Un pez
Para bordar de corales tu cintura
Y hacer siluetas de amor
Bajo la luna
Oh-oh-oh saciar esta locura
Mojado en ti

Una noche
Para hundirnos hasta el fin
Cara a cara, beso a beso
Y vivir por siempre
Mojado en ti

Quisiera ser un pez
Para tocar mi nariz
En tu pecera
Y hacer burbujas de amor
Por donde quiera
Oh-oh-oh pasar la noche en vela
Mojado en ti
Un pez
Para bordar de cayenas tu cintura
Y hacer siluetas de amor
Bajo la luna
Oh-oh-oh saciar esta locura
Mojado en ti

Para tocar mi nariz
En tu pecera
Y hacer burbujas de amor
Por donde quiera
Oh-oh-oh pasar la noche en vela
Mojado en ti

Un pez
Para bordar de cayenas tu cintura
Y hacer siluetas de amor
Bajo la luna
Oh-oh-oh vaciar esta locura
Mojado en ti