How a 1964 French Classic Defined the Sound of Bad Bunny's MONACO

The global music charts were reshaped in late 2023 when Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny released his highly anticipated album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana. Among the standout tracks, "MONACO" quickly rose to prominence, not just for its sharp lyricism but for its hauntingly familiar orchestral backbone. The song "MONACO" by Bad Bunny samples the 1964 French masterpiece "Hier encore" by the legendary singer Charles Aznavour.

This creative fusion represents more than just a rhythmic backdrop; it is a sophisticated bridge between the mid-century European "Chanson" tradition and the high-energy world of modern Latin trap. By dissecting this sample, one can uncover how vintage textures are being used to cement the legacy of contemporary icons.

The Soul of the Sample: Understanding Hier encore

To understand the success of "MONACO," it is essential to first look back at the source material. "Hier encore" (which translates to "Just Yesterday" or "Only Yesterday") was written and performed by Charles Aznavour, often referred to as the "French Frank Sinatra." Released in 1964, the song is a poignant, melancholic reflection on the rapid passage of time and the regrets of a man who realized too late that he squandered his youth.

The Musical Composition of the Original

The original track was composed by Georges Garvarentz, a frequent collaborator of Aznavour. Its arrangement is characterized by a sweeping, cinematic orchestra, featuring dramatic violin swells and a steady, rhythmic cadence that feels both regal and tragic. The instrumentation was designed to match Aznavour’s vocal delivery—a voice that carried the weight of experience and sorrow.

In the original context, the music serves as a funeral march for lost time. The violins rise and fall like waves of memory, creating an atmosphere of sophisticated nostalgia. This specific orchestral texture is exactly what caught the ears of Bad Bunny’s production team.

The Lyrical Weight of Charles Aznavour

Aznavour’s lyrics in "Hier encore" are considered some of the finest in the French language. He sings about how he "played at love" and "played at life," ignoring the wisdom of age until he looked in the mirror and saw an old man. This theme of existential reflection might seem at odds with the typical bravado of trap music, yet it is precisely this contrast that gives "MONACO" its unique depth.

The Production Flip: How MONACO Reimagined a Classic

When Bad Bunny and his producers—Mag, La Paciencia, Smash David, Edsclusive, and Argel—sat down to create "MONACO," they weren't looking for a simple loop. They sought a sound that conveyed "Old Money" and timeless prestige to match the song's title and its celebration of a billionaire lifestyle.

Technical Implementation of the Sample

The producers isolated the iconic string melody from the beginning of "Hier encore." In "MONACO," this sample is pitched slightly and layered over a heavy, distorted 808 bassline. The result is a sonic juxtaposition: the high-fidelity, polished strings of the 1960s clashing with the gritty, low-end frequencies of modern trap.

Analysts of the track note that the sample isn't just a background element; it acts as the primary hook. The loop follows a specific four-bar pattern that maintains the melancholic tone of the original while the percussion forces the listener into a rhythmic groove. By maintaining the orchestral grandiosity, the production team elevated the song from a standard club track to an avant-garde piece of musical art.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Due to the prominence of the sample, Charles Aznavour and Georges Garvarentz are officially credited as songwriters on "MONACO." This ensures that the estate of the late Aznavour, who passed away in 2018, continues to be recognized for the foundational role his work plays in the streaming era. For many younger listeners in Latin America and the United States, "MONACO" served as their first introduction to the world of French Chanson, sparking a renewed interest in Aznavour’s discography.

The Thematic Duality: Regret vs. Reward

The most fascinating aspect of the relationship between these two songs is the thematic inversion. While the music remains the same, the message is flipped entirely.

Hier encore: The Sorrow of Loss

In the 1964 version, the narrator is mourning. He has everything to lose because he has already lost his time. The "Monaco" of his mind is a place of missed opportunities and shadows. The song is a warning to the young, a plea to value the moments before they vanish.

MONACO: The Celebration of Excess

In Bad Bunny’s "MONACO," the mood is one of triumph. The lyrics focus on the luxury of the present: the Formula 1 races, the yachts, the fine dining, and the global fame. When Bad Bunny raps over the Aznavour sample, he is essentially saying that he has conquered the time that Aznavour mourned. He is living the "vibe" that the orchestral music suggests—a life of high-society elegance and undisputed success.

This contrast creates a layer of irony. The "sad" violins of the original now sound "expensive" and "exclusive." It is a masterclass in recontextualization, proving that the meaning of music is often determined by the voice that speaks over it.

The Visual Narrative and the Al Pacino Connection

The impact of the sample extended into the visual presentation of the song. The music video for "MONACO," directed by Stillz, leaned heavily into the cinematic quality of the Aznavour sample.

A Cinematic Tribute

The video begins with scenes that look like they were pulled directly from a 1970s crime epic. Featuring a cameo by the legendary Al Pacino, the video reinforces the "Godfather" aesthetic that the orchestral strings suggest. By placing Bad Bunny at a table with Pacino, the production links the "New World" of Latin trap royalty with the "Old World" of Hollywood and European legend.

The Monaco Grand Prix

True to its name, the video features footage from the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix. Bad Bunny is seen interacting with F1 driver Sergio "Checo" Pérez and the Oracle Red Bull Racing team. The high-octane world of Formula 1 is the perfect modern parallel to the sophisticated, fast-paced life that Aznavour’s strings represent in this new context. The sample provides the "class," while the visuals provide the "status."

Why This Sample Matters for the Music Industry

The success of "MONACO" (which reached #1 on the Billboard Global 200) highlights several important trends in the modern music industry.

The Globalized Ear

Sampling a French song for a Spanish-language trap hit that dominates American and global charts proves that music fans no longer care about linguistic barriers. The emotional resonance of a good melody is universal. The "Hier encore" sample provided a sense of "gravitas" that resonated with listeners regardless of whether they understood the French lyrics or the Spanish rap.

The "TikTok" Effect and Catalog Value

Following the release of "MONACO," search volume for "Hier encore" and Charles Aznavour skyrocketed. This demonstrates the power of sampling as a tool for catalog preservation. Legacy artists find new life when their work is reinterpreted by modern superstars, ensuring that their art remains relevant to new generations.

The Evolution of Latin Trap

Bad Bunny has been at the forefront of evolving Latin trap from its underground roots into a genre that can incorporate salsa, bachata, rock, and now, classical French pop. By using the Aznavour sample, he challenged the notion that trap music must be "simple." He proved that it can be sophisticated, historical, and deeply layered.

Comparative Analysis: Other Notable Bad Bunny Samples

Bad Bunny is no stranger to the art of the sample. To understand why "MONACO" is so effective, it helps to compare it to his other famous uses of existing music.

1. "I Like It" (with Cardi B & J Balvin): This track sampled Pete Rodriguez’s 1967 boogaloo classic "I Like It Like That." Much like "MONACO," it took a vintage sound and updated it for a modern audience, though with a much more upbeat, party-oriented energy.
2. "Tití Me Preguntó": This song utilizes a sample from Antony Santos’ bachata hit "No Te Puedo Olvidar." Here, the sample is used to ground the track in Dominican culture, showing Bad Bunny’s ability to use samples to pay homage to specific regional identities.
3. "Nueva Yol": Sampling "Un Verano en Nuevo York" by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, this track shows his deep respect for the salsa legends of his homeland.

Compared to these, "MONACO" is his most international and aesthetically "distant" sample, reaching across the Atlantic to pull from a completely different cultural era.

The Legacy of the Aznavour-Bad Bunny Collaboration

While Charles Aznavour is no longer with us, the "collaboration" between him and Bad Bunny remains a highlight of 21st-century pop culture. It serves as a reminder that the best music is often built on the shoulders of giants.

"MONACO" did not just use a song; it used a feeling. It took the melancholy of the 1960s and turned it into the swagger of the 2020s. As music continues to evolve, the "Hier encore" sample will stand as a definitive example of how to respect the past while defining the future.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MONACO Sample

What is the exact song sampled in MONACO?

The song is "Hier encore" by Charles Aznavour, released in 1964. The orchestral arrangement was composed by Georges Garvarentz.

Does the band Monaco have anything to do with this song?

No. While there is a British rock band named Monaco (a side project of New Order's Peter Hook), they are not involved in this track. The song title refers to the city-state of Monaco, and the music is sampled from Charles Aznavour.

Who produced the sample in Bad Bunny's MONACO?

The track was produced by a team including Mag, La Paciencia, Smash David, Edsclusive, and Argel. They were responsible for selecting, pitching, and looping the Aznavour sample to fit the trap beat.

Is there an English version of the sampled song?

Yes. Charles Aznavour recorded an English version of "Hier encore" titled "Yesterday When I Was Young." It has been covered by many artists, including Roy Clark and Dusty Springfield, making the melody recognizable to English-speaking audiences as well.

Why did Bad Bunny choose a French sample?

While the artist has not given a specific interview detailing the choice, critics suggest the sample was chosen to evoke the "Old Money" and luxurious atmosphere of the French Riviera and Monaco, which fits the lyrical themes of the album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.

Summary of Key Facts

The genius of "MONACO" lies in its ability to sound entirely new while feeling deeply rooted in history. By sampling Charles Aznavour, Bad Bunny didn't just make a hit song; he created a dialogue between two eras of global stardom.