"Manos al Aire" (; , "Hands in the Air") is a Spanish-language song by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. Written by Furtado, Alex Cuba and James Bryan, it was produced by Furtado and Bryan for the former's fourth studio album, Mi Plan (2009). Furtado explained the song is about "surrendering to love, and vulnerability." She felt that the song could only be sung in Spanish because it would be a "train wreck" if it were sung in English, due to the complexity of the lyrics.

It was released by Nelstar Entertainment and Universal Music Latino as the first single to worldwide radio on June 29, 2009. "Manos al Aire" reached number-one on the US Billboard Latin Songs chart, becoming Furtado's first number-one song on the chart as a lead artist. Furtado also became the first North American act to have an originally written Spanish song to reach number-one on the chart. It peaked at number two in Germany, Czech Republic and Italy. It also peaked within the top 10 in Austria, Hungary, Switzerland and Spain. The music video of the song was filmed in Toronto and it portrayed Furtado as an angry lover who, during the video, throws away personal belongings and items, and removing articles of clothing which symbolizes her letting her guard down and surrendering to love. The song won a BMI Award in 2011.

Background and writing "Manos al Aire" was co-written by Nelly Furtado, James Bryan and Alex Cuba, and produced by Furtado and Bryan. It is a Latin pop song with "a slice of pop/rock with twangy guitars, tight drums and terrific breathy vocals" and has acoustic and dance influencesCobo, Leila (Posted: July 13, 2009)"Nelly Furtado, 'Manos Al Aire'". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2011. The song's title translates to "Hands in the Air" or "I Surrender".Levine, Nick (Posted: October 7, 2009)"Nelly Furtado - Music Interview - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 24, 2011. Furtado told MTV that the song is about "surrendering to love, and vulnerability ... and it talks about the dynamic of a relationship and the everyday fight to be a couple".MTV Music (Posted: August 29, 2009) "New Video: Nelly Furtado, 'Manos al Aire'". MTV Networks. Retrieved July 11, 2011. Furtado felt that the emotions that the lyrics portray could only be expressed in Spanish because, as she put it: "There's a complexity going on there that would be a bit of a train-wreck in English."Vena, Jocelyn (Posted: August 5, 2009) "Nelly Furtado Says Singing In Spanish On Mi Plan Felt 'Natural'" MTV Networks. Retrieved July 11, 2011.Levine, Nick (Posted: October 7, 2009) "Nelly Furtado - Music Interview". Digital Spy. Retrieved July 11, 2011. In an interview with Mayor Nissim, of Digital Spy, she further explained the conception of the song. She said that the song's protagonist feels angry but during the chorus says, as she put it, "My hands are in the air, let's work this out". Furtado also felt that if the song was performed in English, she would be labelled "furious or sappy" because of the content.Nissim, Mayor (Posted: September 14, 2009) "Furtado: 'Spanish helps express emotion' - Music News" Digital Spy. Retrieved July 16, 2011. It was recorded by Bryan at the Rumblecone Studios and The Orange Lounge in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and mixed by Demacio "Demo" Castellón.

Critical reception Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy said: "the fact that 'Manos' and several other songs feature rather Americanised production can prevent them from completely hitting the mark - sad to say, but Furtado's tunes don't always get the Spanish wallop her vocals deserve."Nissim, Mayer (Posted: September 13, 2009) Music - Album Review - Nelly Furtado: 'Mi Plan' - Digital Spy. Retrieved January 10, 2011. Leila Cobo stated that the song "doesn't set the tone for the album, which balances intimacy with commercial appeal."Cobo, Leila (Posted: September 12, 2009) "Mi Plan". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2011.

Michael Cragg, of musicOMH, called the song "a catchy blend of rock guitars and pattering beats". He also wrote that the chorus-line is "one of the few that genuinely stick in the mind".Cragg, Michael (Posted: September 14, 2009) "Nelly Furtado - Mi Plan - Album Review". OMH. Retrieved July 18, 2011.

Chart performance The single was well received in the United States. During its third week on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, it ascended from number 30 to number 13.Cobo, Leila (Posted: August 6, 2009) "Nelly Furtado's 'Manos,' Jenni Rivera's 'Ovarios' Leap On Charts". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2011. After two weeks at number two, "Manos al Aire" replaced Shakira's "Loba" at number-one the Billboard Latin Songs chart, during the week dated September 12, 2009."Chart Beat Thursday: Colbie Caillat, Black Eyed Peas, Prince". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2011. It became Furtado's first number one song as a lead artist, and her second since Juanes' "Fotografía" topped the chart in 2002. Shakira's "Loba" had regained its place at number-one, ending the song's four week stint at the top spot.Trust, Gary (Posted: September 24, 2009) "Chart Beat Thursday: Live-Blogging The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2011.

In Italy, "Manos al Aire" debuted at number two and remained at the spot for two consecutive weeks."italiancharts.com - Nelly Furtado - Manos al Aire". FIMI. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 28, 2011. After it fluctuated down the chart, it climbed up back into the top 10 and remained for four weeks until it left the chart three weeks later. The song peaked at number nine for two consecutive weeks, after spending 10 weeks on the chart in Spain."spanishcharts.com - Nelly Furtado - Manos al aire". PROMUSICAE. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 17, 2011.

Music video

The music video for "Manos al Aire" was filmed in June 2009 in Toronto and premiered on July 29, 2009."Video Premier: Nelly Furtado's 'Manos al Aire'". MTV Networks / Blogamole. Retrieved July 11, 2011. It was released to Apple's iTunes Store on August 3, 2009."Manos al Aire (With English Subtitles) by Nelly Furtado". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved July 8, 2011. In the beginning of the video, Furtado is shown driving an army jeep and sporting army gear, all of which she said represents her character's strong ego.(Posted: July 28, 2009) "Behind-the-Scenes of Nelly Furtado's 'Manos Al Aire' Music Video". Nellyfurtado.com. Retrieved July 8, 2011. As the video progresses, Furtado is shown throwing items and personal belongings out of the Army truck. These belongings are symbolized as her "emotional" weapons. In another scene, Furtado departs from the truck, and begins walking down a street.(Posted: July 28, 2009) "International Video Premiere: "Manos al Aire". (in Spanish). Univision Communications. Retrieved July 18, 2011. She also begins shedding her army gear and getting rid of her purse and other articles of clothing, all of which symbolizes letting her guard and defenses down. As the video comes to a conclusion, Furtado, who is vulnerable, shows up to her boyfriend's frontdoor, who greets her with the same defenseless attitude. Per Furtado's request, the video features English subtitles for viewers. The lyrics in the English subtitles for the video are not literal translations, they are an English interpretation of the song, which Furtado herself had written.Furtado, Nelly (Posted: August 15, 2009) ["Nelly Furtado : News : Message from Nelly".] Nellyfurtado.com. Retrieved July 18, 2011.

Track listing German 2-track singleManos al Aire - Single by Nelly Furtado iTunes. Retrieved March 9, 2011. "Manos al Aire" — 3:28 "Manos al Aire" (Robbie Rivera Radio Mix) — 3:35

German 4-track single"Manos al Aire: Nelly Furtado: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon Germany. Retrieved July 19, 2011. "Manos al Aire" — 3:28 "Manos al Aire" (Robbie Rivera Radio Mix) — 3:35 "Manos al Aire" (Robbie Rivera Juicy Mix) — 7:07 "Manos al Aire" (Robbie Rivera Radio Mix Instrumental) — 3:33

Personnel Credits are adapted from the Mi Plan liner notes.(2009) Album notes for Mi Plan by Nelly Furtado [Booklet]. Nelstar Entertainment, Inc. Miami, FL.

Nelly Furtado – producer James Bryan – producer, recording engineer, drum programming, guitars, keyboards Demacio "Demo" Castellón – mixing Dan Warner – additional guitar, bass The Demolition Crew – co-producer

Michael Anthony – additional drum programming Nick Banns – string arrangements Daniel Stone – percussion Jason "Metal" Donkersgoed – assistant mixing Ron Taylor – digital editing Chris Gerhinger – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for "Manos al Aire" Chart (2009–2010) Peakpositionscope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row" Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 8scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row" Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay) 9Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)8scope="row"scope="row"scope="row" Spanish Airplay Chart 1scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"scope="row"

Year-end charts +2009 year-end chart performance for "Manos al Aire" Chart (2009) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 44 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 62 Germany (Media Control GfK) 36 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 56 Italy (FIMI) 24 Spain (PROMUSICAE)http://www.promusicae.com/files/listasanuales/canciones/Top%2050%20Canciones%20Anual%202009.pdf 43 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 51 US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard) 15

Certifications

Radio and release dates +List of radio and release dates with formats and record labels Region Date Format LabelUnited Kingdom"Manos al Aire - Single by Nelly Furtado". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011. Digital downloadUniversal Music LatinoWorldwide(Posted: June 22, 2009) "Nelly Furtado Single 'Manos Al Aire' (Hands in the Air) to be Released Worldwide On June 29th". Nellyfurtado.com. Retrieved June 24, 2011. Official radio premierBelgium Nl-be.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.Digital downloadUniversal MusicFrance"Nelly Furtado - Manos al Aire". Fr.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.Portugal Pt.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.SwitzerlandNelly Furtado - Manos al Aire". De-ch.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.Spain"Nelly Furtado - Manos al Aire". Es.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011. Italy It.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011. Digital downloadAustria Digital download,"Nelly Furtado- Manos al Aire". At.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011. maxi-single"Nelly Furtado- Manos al Aire pro track". At.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.Germany CD singleBelgium Nl-be.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011. Remixes EPUniversal Music LatinoCanada"Manos al Aire (World Remixes) - EP by Nelly Furtado". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.United StatesManos al Aire (World Mixes) - EP by Nelly Furtado iTunes. Retrieved March 9, 2011.United Kingdom"Manos al Aire - EP by Nelly Furtado". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011. Portugal Pt.7digital.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.

See also List of number-one Billboard Hot Latin Songs of 2009 List of Billboard Latin Rhythm Airplay number ones of 2009

References