"Bésame Mucho" (Spanish: [ˈbesame ˈmutʃo]; "Kiss Me A Lot") is a bolero song written in 1932 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.[2] It is one of the most popular songs of the 20th century and one of the most important songs in the history of Latin music. It was recognized in 1999 as the most recorded and covered song in Spanish of all time.[3][4] Famous versions were sung by Trio Los Panchos and female vocalist Gigliola Cinquetti in 1968, and by Dalida in 1976. English lyrics to it were written by Sunny Skylar. It inspired the cult Indian song, Yeh Samaa Samaa Hai Pyar Ka, sung by Lata Mangeshkar in the film Jab Jab Phool Khile.[5]
| "Bésame mucho" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Consuelo Velázquez | |
| Language | Spanish |
| Released | 1940 |
| Genre | Bolero |
| Songwriter(s) | Consuelo Velázquez |
| "Besame Mucho" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra (Vocal Bob Eberle & Kitty Kallen) | |
| Language | Spanish |
| B-side | "My Ideal" |
| Released | December 1943 |
| Recorded | October 7, 1943 |
| Studio | Los Angeles |
| Genre | Bolero |
| Length | 2:59 |
| Label | Decca 18574 |
| Songwriter(s) | Consuelo Velázquez, Sunny Skylar |
The song appeared in the film Follow the Boys (May 5, 1944) when it was played by Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra[6] and in Cowboy and the Senorita (May 13, 1944) with vocal by Dale Evans.[7] It was also sung by Chris Isaak in the 2003 movie Mona Lisa Smile.[8]
Inspiration
editAccording to Velázquez, she wrote this song even though she had never been kissed yet at the time, and kissing, as she heard, was considered a sin.[9][10]
She was inspired by the piano piece "Quejas, o la Maja y el Ruiseñor", from the 1911 suite Goyescas by Spanish composer Enrique Granados, which he later also included as "Aria of the Nightingale" in his 1916 opera of the same name.[2]
In politics
editIn 1990, a hitherto clandestine affair between two Brazilian government ministers, Bernardo Cabral (Minister of Justice) and Zélia Cardoso de Mello (Minister for Economy, Finance & Planning), was revealed to public knowledge as the couple danced cheek to cheek to "Bésame Mucho" during a birthday party held for Cardoso de Mello. A married father of three, Cabral was forced to resign as a result.[11]
A few days later, at a ceremony in which Cardoso de Mello was due to receive her country's Order of Military Merit, the regimental band of the presidential guard, Os Dragões da Independência, struck up "Bésame Mucho" as she was presented with her medal. Its musical director, Lt. Geraldo Mendonça da Lima, was subsequently given 3 days' detention for insubordination.[12][13]
Notable versions
edit
- Bob Eberly and Kitty Kallen with Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (reached number one in the United States in 1944)[14]
- Andy Russell (reached No. 8 in the US in 1944)[15][16]
- Frank Sinatra had a U.S. top 10 hit in 1954.
- Velázquez herself recorded the song as piano instrumental on her album Piano Interpretations (1955).
- Ray Conniff and His Orchestra and Chorus recorded this song on 25 March 1960, for the album Say It with Music (A Touch of Latin)[17], issued originally on August 8, 1960. A worldwide hit and a trademark for Conniff for decades.
- The Coasters hit the Hot 100 with their version, which peaked at No. 70, in 1960.[18]
- The Beatles (recorded during their Decca audition on January 1, 1962. A second version was recorded during their first session at Abbey Road Studios on June 6, 1962. The latter is included on The Beatles' Anthology 1)[19]
- Dean Martin recorded it for his album, Dino Latino in 1962.[20]
- Jet Harris reached No.22 in the UK with their version in 1962.[21]
- Dalida reached No 5 in France and No 10 in Turkey in 1976.
- João Gilberto recorded a cover of the song for his 1977 bossa nova album Amoroso.
- Plácido Domingo (received a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Performance in 1983)[22]
- Zoé (nominated for a Latin Grammy for Record of the Year in 2012)[23]
References
edit- ^ a b Sapna Maheshwari (November 4, 2017). "On YouTube Kids, Startling Videos Slip Past Filters". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Wikidata Q119270203. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Fox, Margalit (January 30, 2005). "Consuelo Velázquez Dies; Wrote 'Bésame Mucho'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ^ by SocialMusik (December 5, 2019). "Bésame mucho, la canción en español más versionda - Social Musik". Socialmusik.es. Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Hispanic Heritage Month: The 50 Best Latin Songs of All Time". Billboard.com. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Chronicles of plagiarism in Indian film music". Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Follow the Boys (1944)". imdb.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
- ^ "Cowboy and the Senorita (1944)". imdb.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ "Mona Lisa Smile Soundtrack". Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "Bésame Mucho Consuelito Velazquez News Feature". YouTube. August 19, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2011.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ Burton, Tony (March 14, 2008). "Did You Know? Consuelo Velázquez and "Bésame mucho". : Mexico Culture & Arts". Mexconnected.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
- ^ "Headliners; Internal Affair". New York Times. New York. October 21, 1990. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ "Band Hits Sour Note". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, CA. November 6, 1990. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ "Army Bandleader's detention (Port.)". Google Books. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 132. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954. Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 476. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ Gilliland, John. (March 23, 2020). "Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #11 - All Tracks UNT Digital Library". Digital.library.unt.edu. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 177.
- ^ "A 50 años del Bésame mucho de los Beatles". BBC. July 9, 2012. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- ^ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. October 1962. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ "JET HARRIS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Complete List of the Nominees for 26th Annual Grammy Music Awards". Schenectady Gazette. The Daily Gazette Company. January 9, 1984. p. 49. Archived from the original on February 9, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ "Juan Luis Guerra Leads Latin Grammy Nominations with Six". Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
External links
edit- "Bésame Mucho chord arrangement for guitar". jazzguitar.be. June 30, 2014.
Performances in Spanish
- "Bésame Mucho, performed by Consuelo Velázquez (Piano) & Daniel Riolobos (Singer)". YouTube.com. June 4, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021.
- "Bésame Mucho, performed by Cesaria Evora". YouTube.com. September 8, 2009. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021.
- "Bésame Mucho, performed by the Mexican group Zoé". YouTube.com. February 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021.