Bésame Mucho#Notable versions
{{Short description|1932 song written and composed by Consuelo Velázquez}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Bésame mucho
| type = single
| artist = Consuelo Velázquez
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 1940
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| lyricist =
| writer = Consuelo Velázquez
| composer =
| genre = Bolero
| length =
| label =
| producer =
| language = Spanish
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year = The Beatles{{Cite Q|Q119270203|access-date=2023-06-09}}
Jimmy Dorsey
Pedro Infante
Javier Solís
| published =
}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Besame Mucho
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| published =
| artist = Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra (Vocal Bob Eberle & Kitty Kallen)
| B-side = My Ideal
| released = {{Start date|1943|12}}
| recorded = {{Start date|1943|10|7}}
| studio = Los Angeles
| venue =
| genre = Bolero
| language = Spanish
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=59}}
| label = Decca 18574
| writer = Consuelo Velázquez, Sunny Skylar
| composer =
| lyricist =
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
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}}
"Bésame Mucho" ({{IPA|es|ˈbesame ˈmutʃo|lang}}; "Kiss Me A Lot") is a bolero song written in 1932 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.{{cite news |first=Margalit |last=Fox |date=January 30, 2005 |title=Consuelo Velázquez Dies; Wrote 'Bésame Mucho' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/30/obituaries/30velazquez.html?_r=0 |access-date=February 6, 2017 |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226195127/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/30/obituaries/30velazquez.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }} One of the most important songs in the history of Latin music, it became one the most popular pop standards of the 20th century as well as a jazz standard. "Bésame Mucho" was recognized in 1999 as the most recorded and covered Spanish-language song of all time.{{cite web |author=by SocialMusik |url=http://socialmusik.es/besame-mucho-cancion-espanol-mas-versionda/ |title=Bésame mucho, la canción en español más versionda - Social Musik |publisher=Socialmusik.es |date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223070935/http://socialmusik.es/besame-mucho-cancion-espanol-mas-versionda/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/best-latin-songs-of-all-time-6760654 |title=Hispanic Heritage Month: The 50 Best Latin Songs of All Time |publisher=Billboard.com |date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517162827/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8506478/former-boy-band-members-1999-pop |url-status=live }} 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.
The song appeared in the film Follow the Boys (May 5, 1944) when it was played by Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra{{cite web|title=Follow the Boys (1944)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036832/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd|website=imdb.com|access-date=May 12, 2017|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805121655/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036832/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd|url-status=live}} and in Cowboy and the Senorita (May 13, 1944) with vocal by Dale Evans.{{cite web|title=Cowboy and the Senorita (1944)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036725/soundtrack?ref_=tt_ql_trv_7|website=imdb.com|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805121657/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036725/soundtrack?ref_=tt_ql_trv_7|url-status=live}} It was also sung by Chris Isaak in the 2003 movie Mona Lisa Smile.{{cite web|title=Mona Lisa Smile Soundtrack|url=https://www.what-song.com/Movies/Soundtrack/103966/Mona-Lisa-Smile|access-date=December 2, 2024}} It inspired the cult Indian song, Yeh Samaa Samaa Hai Pyar Ka, sung by Lata Mangeshkar in the film Jab Jab Phool Khile.{{cite web |title=Chronicles of plagiarism in Indian film music |url=https://www.itwofs.com/hindi-ka.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704195621/https://www.itwofs.com/hindi-ka.html |url-status=live }}
Inspiration
According 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn17kLyrEHg |title=Bésame Mucho Consuelito Velazquez News Feature |website=YouTube |date=August 19, 2008 |access-date=February 14, 2011}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}{{cite web |last=Burton |first=Tony |url=https://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1172-did-you-know-consuelo-velazquez-and-be |title=Did You Know? Consuelo Velázquez and "Bésame mucho". : Mexico Culture & Arts |website=Mexconnected.com |date=March 14, 2008 |access-date=February 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527073109/http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1172-did-you-know-consuelo-vel%C3%A1zquez-and-b%C3%A9same-mucho |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |url-status=live }}
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.
In politics
In 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.{{cite news |author= |title=Headliners; Internal Affair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/21/weekinreview/headliners-internal-affair.html |newspaper=New York Times |location=New York |date=October 21, 1990 |access-date=December 20, 2014 |archive-date=December 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221063222/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/21/weekinreview/headliners-internal-affair.html |url-status=live }}
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.{{cite news |author= |title=Band Hits Sour Note |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/ca/manitoba/winnipeg/winnipeg-free-press/1990/11-06/page-16 |newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press |location=Winnipeg, CA |date=November 6, 1990 |access-date=December 20, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030455/http://newspaperarchive.com/ca/manitoba/winnipeg/winnipeg-free-press/1990/11-06/page-16 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Army Bandleader's detention (Port.) |url=https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22Besame+Mucho%22+%22Drag%C3%B5es+da+Independ%C3%AAncia%22&hl=en&sxsrf=APq-WBtyfrotqluALwK2KWTLI2_UoKUSAQ:1648482291633&source=lnms&tbm=bks&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP6qSLk-n2AhWCilwKHTo7C-oQ_AUoAXoECAEQCw&biw=1440&bih=900&dpr=1 |website=Google Books |access-date=April 6, 2022 |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806161244/https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22Besame+Mucho%22+%22Drag%C3%B5es+da+Independ%C3%AAncia%22&hl=en&sxsrf=APq-WBtyfrotqluALwK2KWTLI2_UoKUSAQ:1648482291633&source=lnms&tbm=bks&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP6qSLk-n2AhWCilwKHTo7C-oQ_AUoAXoECAEQCw&biw=1440&bih=900&dpr=1 |url-status=live }}
Notable versions
File:Capitol Records 78rpm record label for USA release of Andy Russell's "Bésame Mucho". Original issue. 1944.jpg "Bésame Mucho." Original issue. 1944]]
- Pedro Vargas (inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001){{cite web|title=Latin GRAMMY Hall Of Fame|url=http://www.latingrammy.com/en/node/21337|website=Latin Grammy Award|publisher=Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences|access-date=August 19, 2014|year=2001|archive-date=February 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205122045/http://www.latingrammy.com/en/node/21337|url-status=dead}}
- Bob Eberly and Kitty Kallen with Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (reached number one in the United States in 1944){{cite book |last1=Whitburn |first1=Joel |title=Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954 |date=1986 |publisher=Record Research Inc. |location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |isbn=0-89820-083-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/132 132] |url=https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/132 }}
- Andy Russell (reached No. 8 in the US in 1944){{cite book|last1=Whitburn|first1=Joel|title=Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954|date=1986|publisher=Record Research Inc|location=Wisconsin|isbn=0-89820-083-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/476 476]|url=https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/476}}{{cite web |author=Gilliland, John. |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1633222/m1/#track/2 |title=Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #11 - All Tracks UNT Digital Library |publisher=Digital.library.unt.edu |date=March 23, 2020 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108025351/https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1633222/m1/#track/2 |url-status=live }}
- 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),{{cite web|title=www.allmusic.com|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/say-it-with-music-a-touch-of-latin-mw0000265766|website=allmusic.com|accessdate=December 17, 2024}} 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.{{cite book |title= Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012 |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2013 |publisher=Record Research |page=177}}
- 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){{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2012/06/120608_beatles_aniversarios_2012_jgc.shtml?MOB|title=A 50 años del Bésame mucho de los Beatles|access-date=August 17, 2017|date=July 9, 2012|publisher=BBC|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818050443/http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2012/06/120608_beatles_aniversarios_2012_jgc.shtml?MOB|url-status=live}}
- Dean Martin recorded it for his album, Dino Latino in 1962.{{cite web|title=www.discogs.com|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2888875-Dean-Martin-Dino-Latino|website=discogs.com|date=October 1962 |accessdate=July 6, 2024}}
- Jet Harris reached No.22 in the UK with their version in 1962.{{Cite web|title=JET HARRIS {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/10203/jet-harris/|access-date=2023-08-29|website=www.officialcharts.com|archive-date=August 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829224104/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/10203/jet-harris/|url-status=live}}
- 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){{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZBEhAAAAIBAJ&pg=2286,2445615&dq|title=Complete List of the Nominees for 26th Annual Grammy Music Awards|newspaper=Schenectady Gazette|publisher=The Daily Gazette Company|date=January 9, 1984|access-date=May 14, 2014|page=49|archive-date=February 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209181454/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZBEhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JXQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2286,2445615&dq|url-status=live}}
- Luis Miguel on the album, Romances (1997), No. 1 on the Mexican ballads chart and among the top ten best-performing songs of 1998 in Venezuela.{{cite news |title=Lista de popularidad |url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1998/02/10&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar02802&PageLabel=28 |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=El Siglo de Torreon |date=10 February 1998 |page=28 |language=es}}{{cite book|title=El consumo cultural del venezolano|last=Aguirre|first=Jesús|publisher=Fundación Centro Gumilla|language=es|page=1995|location=Caracas, Venezuela|year=1998|isbn=9789806361799}}
- Zoé (nominated for a Latin Grammy for Record of the Year in 2012){{cite web|url=http://www.latingrammy.com/en/press-release/juan-luis-guerra-leads-latin-grammy-nominations-six|title=Juan Luis Guerra Leads Latin Grammy Nominations with Six|access-date=September 27, 2011|date=September 25, 2012|publisher=Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707075155/https://www.latingrammy.com/en/press-release/juan-luis-guerra-leads-latin-grammy-nominations-six|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|url=http://www.jazzguitar.be/blog/besame-mucho-chords#listen |title=Bésame Mucho chord arrangement for guitar|website=jazzguitar.be|date=June 30, 2014}}
Performances in Spanish
- {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjhwLuHTc2c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/FjhwLuHTc2c |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Bésame Mucho, performed by Consuelo Velázquez (Piano) & Daniel Riolobos (Singer)|website=YouTube.com|date=June 4, 2011 }}{{cbignore}}
- {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLsg_Lk819s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/LLsg_Lk819s |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Bésame Mucho, performed by Cesaria Evora|website=YouTube.com|date=September 8, 2009 }}{{cbignore}}
- {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSELNSslBVk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/CSELNSslBVk |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Bésame Mucho, performed by the Mexican group Zoé|website=YouTube.com|date=February 27, 2012 }}{{cbignore}}
{{Jimmy Dorsey}}
{{The Coasters}}
{{Please Please Me}}
{{Luis Miguel singles}}
{{Latin Grammy Hall of Fame}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Besame Mucho}}
Category:Songs written by Sunny Skylar
Category:Song recordings produced by George Martin
Category:Number-one singles in the United States
Category:Jazz compositions in C minor
Category:Latin Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients
Category:Decca Records singles