Sálvame

"Sálvame" is a song recorded by Mexican pop group RBD. It was released as the third single from their debut album, Rebelde (2004). It became a number one hit all over Ibero-America, becoming their third consecutive number-one single in Mexico. Anahí sings the lead vocals while the rest of the band sing on the chorus. The song became a phenomenon of its own, loved by fans across the globe and widely regarded as the group's signature anthem.^[1] Its Portuguese and English versions were released alongside their albums in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

"Sálvame"
Official cover art
Single by RBD
from the album Rebelde
Language	Spanish
English title	"Save Me"
Released	15 March 2005
Recorded	2004
Genre	Latin pop Ballad
Length	3:43
Label	EMI
Songwriter(s)	DJ Kafka Max di Carlo
Producer(s)	Armando Ávila Carlos Lara Max di Carlo
RBD singles chronology
"Solo quédate en silencio" (2004) "Sálvame" (2005) "Un Poco de Tu Amor" (2005)
Music video
"Sálvame" on YouTube
Alternative cover
Chilean CD promo artwork
Alternative cover
Art work from 2020 live version released in 2021

Background

In mid-2004, Televisa began production on the teen-oriented telenovela Rebelde, and its main young actors Anahí, Alfonso Herrera, Dulce María, Christopher von Uckermann, Maite Perroni, and Christian Chávez were put together by the show's producers to form the band RBD. The song was used extensively throughout the show, mostly during scenes featuring a tearful "Mía" (played by Anahí). Their album was recorded in two days, and released on 30 November 2004, to positive reviews and commercial success, reaching the number one spot on Mexican charts.^[2]

Release

Preceded by "Rebelde" and "Solo Quédate En Silencio", "Sálvame" was released on 15 March 2005, as the album's third single. In Brazil, the song was released along with "Solo Quédate En Silencio", on a double A-Side single. The band recorded a Portuguese version of their debut album following immense success in Brazil, and the song's version in the language was also released as a single in the country, under the title "Salva-me".^[3]

The song's sequel, "Algún Día", was recorded and sung solely by Anahí in 2006, and is featured on RBD's third Spanish studio album, Celestial. The English version, "Save Me", was recorded and featured on RBD's English studio album, Rebels, also from 2006, with a different instrumental.^[4] Anahí was the main singer on the two new versions as she was on the original Spanish version. "Sálvame" is the group's only solo song to be recorded in all three languages.

Composition and lyrics

"Sálvame" is a Latin pop ballad that lasts 3 minutes and 43 seconds. It was written by DJ Kafka and Max di Carlo, and produced by the latter alongside Armando Ávila and Carlos Lara. The lyrics find Anahí in a depressed state since her lover left her. In the first verse, she sings "Vivo en la desesperanza" ("I live in hopelessness"), while in the refrain she states she "survives from pure anxiety" ("Sobrevivo por pura ansiedad"). In the pre-chorus, the singer says that "little by little the heart, is losing faith" ("Poco a poco el corazón, va perdiendo la fe"). In the second verse, Anahí reveals that despite her attempts to move on, "...love is the word, that is sometimes hard for [her] to forget" ("...amor es la palabra, que me cuesta a veces olvidar"). During the chorus, she pleads for her ex-partner to save her from "loneliness" and "darkness". The band echoes this sentiment, stating: "Save me from oblivion" and "weariness" ("Sálvame del olvido", "Sálvame del hastío").^[5]

Music video

The music video was the group's third to have been directed by Pedro Damián. It was shot in Canada while the band and young cast of the telenovela were in the country during filming of Rebelde. The band perform on the snow, playing instruments, like drums and guitars, with Anahí singing the song, while their castmates skate in the background. Behind the scenes footage was also used in the video.^[6]

Following the relaunch of RBD's music in 2020, "Sálvame" became their most-viewed video on YouTube, reaching 100 million views. It has earned an additional 19 million views as of September 2023.

Awards and nominations

Year	Ceremony	Award	Result	Ref.
2005	Premios Juventud	Canción Corta-Venas	Nominated	[7]

Versions

Digital download / Rebelde

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Sálvame"	Carlos Lara Galvan • Max Di Carlo • Pedro Damián	3:43

Digital download / Rebelde (Edição Brasil)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Length
1.	"Salva-me" (Portuguese version)	Claudio Rabello	3:45

Digital download / Live in Hollywood

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Medley Rebelde - Live" (Medley of first three singles[8])	Galvan • Di Carlo • Mauricio Arriaga • Damián	8:31

Digital download / Rebels

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Save Me" (English version[9])	Galvan • Di Carlo • Damián	3:58

Digital download / Ser O Parecer: The Global Virtual Union

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Sálvame" (2020 live version[10])	Galvan • Di Carlo • Damián	5:21

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2005)	Peak position
Chile (Lincoln Journal)[11]	6
Colombia (Hispanos Unidos)[12]	5
El Salvador (La Nación)[13]	7
Guatemala (La Nación)[14]	1
Mexico (Hispanos Unidos)[15]	5
US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)	27

Year-end charts

Chart (2006)	Position
Brazil (Crowley)[16] "Salvame (Portuguese version)"	97

Certifications

Certifications for "Sálvame"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[17]	Gold	30,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Ardila, Erika (January 20, 2023). "What are RBD's most iconic songs?". Al Día. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
2. "Rebelde". Spotify. 1 January 2004. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
3. "Rebelde (Edição Português)". Spotify. 1 January 2005. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
4. "Rebels". Spotify. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
5. "RBD – "Sálvame" Lyrics | Genius". Genius. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
6. "RBD - Sálvame". YouTube. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
7. "2nd Annual "Premios Juventud" Awards: A Night of Stars and Premier Performances". Univision. 22 September 2005. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
8. "RBD Live in Hollywood". Spotify. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
9. "Save Me". Spotify. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
10. "Ser O Parecer: The Global Virtual Union". Spotify. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
11. "Las diez canciones más populares". Lincoln Journal Star (in Spanish). June 15, 2006. p. 60. Retrieved March 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Las diez canciones más populares". Hispanos Unidos. October 20, 2005. p. 16. Retrieved September 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Los éxitos musicales en América Central". La Nación (in Spanish). July 16, 2005. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
14. "Los éxitos musicales en América Central". La Nación (in Spanish). August 13, 2005. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
15. "Las diez canciones más populares". Hispanos Unidos (in Spanish). July 14, 2005. p. 20. Retrieved September 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2006". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
17. "Brazilian single certifications – RBD – Sálvame" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 11, 2024.