The 2025 Operación Triunfo contestants have already released all their singles, leaving two of the most anticipated for last for obvious reasons: Cristina Lora was the winner of the edition, while Claudia Arenas managed to have the only viral of the program thanks to her version of ‘Latin Girl’. It’s time to review the last two singles from Operación Triunfo.
After the singles by Guillo Rist, Olivia Bay or Max Navarro, it is the turn of the songs by Cristina and Claudia, who they have left for last despite not having won the contest. In fact, he finished in fifth place, but thanks to his journey in the format it also became one of his biggest bets. Her version of Emilia’s song reached number 36 in the top 50 on Spotify Spain, currently having more than 7 million streams.
Cristina, on the other hand, was from the first program the favorite to win the grand prize thanks to her stage presence and well-crafted voice, although she has not reached the level of views of ‘Latin Girl’ with any of her performances. Of course, its number of monthly listeners is higher.
‘2 PUÑALAÍTAS (from Andalusia)’, by Cristina Lora
Cristina’s cover ended up being one of the most original of the contest, with a dagger floating above her head as a reference to both the sword of Damocles and the title of her own song. However, this display of personality is not completely transmitted to ‘2 PUÑALAÍTAS (from Andalucía)’.
Cristina’s single is a hodgepodge of styles in many moments, recalling in some the commercial pop of Tate McRae and in others the minimalism of Judeline. The percussion, on the other hand, is totally straight out of the Timbaland school. It’s undeniably catchy, but the vocal melody of the chorus doesn’t convey much. It would be a very good proposal for the Benidorm Fest, yes. Wasn’t it your dream to end up representing Spain in Eurovision?
The lyrics don’t have much chicha either, with Lora singing about falling in love by surprise: “When I saw your face I didn’t expect it / I saw you and I didn’t know what you had that hooked me.” At the end of the song, as a resolution, Cristina realizes what this person had, and it is somewhat anticlimactic: “I thought about it night and day, it seemed like an epiphany / I fell into what you had, that you came from Andalusia.”
‘big mistake’, by Claudia Arenas
Ironically, Claudia Arenas’ single is a great success. His voice was one of the most special in the contest, not precisely because he was loud, and that has completely transferred to his first single. In ‘big mistake’, Arenas’ very personal voice is the center of everything.
This matches perfectly with the style of the song: a classic ballad that is reminiscent of the most romantic Bruno Mars and that has very few elements that are very well placed. The melody is pleasant, even memorable, and the additions to the mix, be it the nice chorus of voices or the appearance of the electric guitar in the second half, only add to it. That thing about saving the best for last has been fulfilled in this case.
The lyrics are not wonderful, but they are not bland either. ‘big mistake’ is a song of 100% heartbreak, with Claudia naming a person “who wasn’t capable” and who lost her “opportunity.” However, phrases like “tell the others that I was one more” or “what a big mistake to feel that this time it was going to be different, that I was going to suffer, now that you are indifferent to me” are great touches. Claudia has said that this song is a good example of “where I would like to go with my music.” We are delighted.
