Pero Qué Necesidad
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Pero Qué Necesidad
| cover = Pero que necesidad.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Juan Gabriel
| album = Gracias por Esperar
| released = {{start date|1994|06|03|df=yes}}
| studio = Soundabout, Los Angeles, California
| length = {{duration|m=5|s=54}}
| label = Bertelsmann Music Group
| writer = Juan Gabriel
| producer = Gustavo Farias
| prev_title = Fue un Placer Conocerte
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = Lentamente
| next_year = 1994
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|vQW-zB_JHbs|"Pero Qué Necesidad"}}}}
}}
"Pero Qué Necesidad" ({{Translation|"But What Is the Need?"}}) is a song performed by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel for his 21st studio album, Gracias por Esperar (1994). The song was produced by Gustavo Farias and written by Juan Gabriel. It is a Latin and pop song about loving people from around the world. The song was released as the album's lead single on 3 June 1994 by Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG). Upon its release, music critics were divided with some praising the tune while others were unimpressed. Retrospective reviews of the song have been more favorable with few critics listing it as among his best songs.
Juan Gabriel has re-recorded the song twice, the first for his compilation album, Por Los Siglos (2001), and as a duet with fellow Mexican singer Emmanuel on his 28th studio album, Los Dúo (2015). The accompanying music video features the artist with children and people of different races. "Pero Qué Necesidad" won the Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Song of the Year in 1995 and in the same category at the 1995 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Latin Awards. Commercially, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs in the United States. The song was covered by Puerto Rican singer Manny Manuel, whose version peaked at number four on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart in the US.
Background and composition
{{Listen
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|title="Pero Qué Necesidad"
|description=A 30-second sample of Juan Gabriel's song "Pero Qué Necesidad". Michele Johnson of Classic Rock compared it to Michael Jackson's song "Heal the World" (1992).
|format=Ogg
}}
In 1986, Juan Gabriel released his 20th studio album, Pensamientos, and was succeeded by his compilation album, Debo Hacerlo (1988).{{cite web |title=Juan Gabriel - Pensamientos Album Reviews, Songs & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/pensamientos-mw0000190090 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107184449/https://www.allmusic.com/album/pensamientos-mw0000190090 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Juan Gabriel - Debo Hacerlo Album Reviews, Songs & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/debo-hacerlo-mw0000111333 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107184449/https://www.allmusic.com/album/debo-hacerlo-mw0000111333 |url-status=live }} Following the release of both albums, the artist went through a hiatus after legal disputes with his record label Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG).{{cite web |title=Las 10 cosas que no sabías de Juan Gabriel |url=https://monitorlatino.com/top/las-10-cosas-que-no-sabias-de-juan-gabriel/ |publisher=Monitor Latino |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=es |date=10 April 2015 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206063431/https://monitorlatino.com/top/las-10-cosas-que-no-sabias-de-juan-gabriel/ |url-status=live }} The dispute involved Juan Gabriel demanding rights of over 439 songs he published under the label to be ceded to the artist.{{cite web |title=La Espera de Juan Gabriel |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-158508 |website=El Tiempo |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=spanish |date=25 June 1994 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231529/https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-158508 |url-status=live }} Juan Gabriel would not record any new material for nearly eight years until BMG yielded to his demands.{{cite web |title=Juan Gabriel firma con Universal Music |url=https://www.latercera.com/noticia/juan-gabriel-firma-con-universal-music/ |website=La Tercera |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=es |date=1 May 2008 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231539/https://www.latercera.com/noticia/juan-gabriel-firma-con-universal-music/ |url-status=live }}
On 21 October 1993, Ramiro Burr reported for the Austin American-Statesman that Juan Gabriel had finished wrapping up his next studio album, but it would not be released until the dispute between the artist and BMG had finished.{{cite news |last1=Burr |first1=Ramiro |title=New Albums Top the Latin Scene |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/256295405 |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=21 October 1993 |page=18 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231525/https://www.proquest.com/docview/256295405/715EBE8556B94BF1PQ/166?accountid=196403&forcedol=true |id={{ProQuest|256295405}} |url-status=live }} Both parties came to an agreement on 27 May 1994 and Juan Gabriel renewed his contract with the label.{{cite web |title=Juan Gabriel: Los escándalos que rodearon su vida |url=https://eldiariony.com/2016/09/04/juan-gabriel-los-escandalos-que-rodearon-su-vida/ |website=El Diario New York |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=es |date=4 September 2016 |archive-date=14 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114104558/http://eldiariony.com/2016/09/04/juan-gabriel-los-escandalos-que-rodearon-su-vida/ |url-status=live }} Further details about the record were not revealed until a week later when the artist confirmed both the album's title of Gracias por Esperar and its release date.{{cite news |title=Musica |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/368248210 |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=La Opinión |date=6 June 1994 |page=3D |language=es |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231554/https://www.proquest.com/docview/368248210/715EBE8556B94BF1PQ/318?accountid=196403&forcedol=true | id={{ProQuest|368248210}} |url-status=live }} Recording took place at the Soundabout Studio in Los Angeles, California.{{cite web |title=Juan Gabriel - Gracias Por Esperar Album Reviews, Songs & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/gracias-por-esperar-mw0000122292 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107184450/https://www.allmusic.com/album/gracias-por-esperar-mw0000122292 |url-status=live }}
Juan Gabriel penned all the songs in the album with Gustavo Farias handling its production including "Pero Qué Necesidad".{{cite magazine |last1=Verna |first1=Paul |title=Album Reviews |magazine=Billboard |date=2 July 1994 |volume=106 |issue=27 |page=85 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85 |access-date=24 April 2023 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231539/https://books.google.com/books?id=XQgEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA1&pg=PA85#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }} It is an up-tempo number with a Latin and pop beat in which the lyrics describes "loving people all over the world".{{cite magazine|last1=Johnson |first1=Michele |title=Top 10 Juan Gabriel Songs |url=https://www.classicrockhistory.com/top-10-juan-gabriel-songs/ |magazine=Classic Rock |access-date=24 April 2023 |date=11 November 2021 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125172157/https://www.classicrockhistory.com/top-10-juan-gabriel-songs/ |url-status=live }} It features a gospel-like choir in the background. Juan Gabriel re-recorded the track on his 2001 compilation album Por Los Siglos and again in 2015 with fellow Mexican singer Emmanuel on Juan Gabriel's vocal duet album Los Dúo as a soft rock cumbia.{{cite news |last1=Castillo |first1=Alberto |title=Pone mas sabor a sus exitos |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/315738006 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=El Norte |date=10 October 2001 |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|315738006}} |language=es |url-access=subscription |via=ProQuest |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231557/https://www.proquest.com/docview/315738006 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Jurek |first1=Thom |title=Juan Gabriel – Los Dúo Album Reviews, Songs & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/los-d%C3%BAo-mw0002784937 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=16 November 2022 |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116020329/https://www.allmusic.com/album/los-d%C3%BAo-mw0002784937 |url-status=live }}
Promotion and reception
"Pero Qué Necesidad" was released as the album's lead single on 3 June 1994 by BMG.{{cite magazine |last1=Lannert |first1=John |title=BMG Artist Juan Gabriel Returns, With 'Thanks' |magazine=Billboard |date=18 June 1994 |volume=106 |issue=25 |pages=10, 101 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10 |access-date=24 April 2023 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231523/https://books.google.com/books?id=UQgEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA1&pg=PA10#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }} The song, which translates to "But What is the Need?", had played on Spanish-language radio stations for more than a month.{{cite news |last1=Romney |first1=Lee |title=Pond Showcases Latino Icon : Event |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-26-me-8737-story.html |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=26 June 1994 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231528/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-26-me-8737-story.html |url-status=live }} An accompanying music video was directed by Pedro Torres and filmed in Miami and is a "brotherhood", featuring children and people of various races with the singer.{{cite news |last1=Ponce |first1=Robero |title=Juan Gabriel: La génesis de sus canciones |url=https://www.proceso.com.mx/reportajes/2016/9/6/juan-gabriel-la-genesis-de-sus-canciones-170146.html |access-date=5 May 2023 |work=Proceso |date=6 September 2016 |language=spanish|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019130219/https://www.proceso.com.mx/reportajes/2016/9/6/juan-gabriel-la-genesis-de-sus-canciones-170146.html|archive-date=19 October 2021}} The song was met with mixed reactions from music critics. The Newsday editor Ira Robbins called it an "engagingly ABBA-esque" song.{{cite news |last1=Robbins |first1=Ira |title=Juan Gabriel's Lasting Love |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/278778267 |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=B09 |date=13 September 1994 |page=B09 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231528/https://www.proquest.com/docview/278778267/8CCADAE9A6604F8EPQ/10?accountid=196403&forcedol=true |id={{ProQuest|278778267}} |url-status=live }} Ramiro Burr, writing for the San Antonio Express-News, unfavorably compared the song to ABBA although he stated it has a "nice, melodic tune".{{cite news |last1=Burr |first1=Ramiro |title=If Singer's a Star, Why Is Album Dull? |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/261621622 |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=30 October 1994 |page=5H |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231532/https://www.proquest.com/docview/261621622/8CCADAE9A6604F8EPQ/23?accountid=196403&forcedol=true |id={{ProQuest|261621622}} |url-status=live }} Billboard{{'}}s Paul Verna noted that the "gospel-accented backing vocals buttress" the "peppy" song. Mario Tarradell of the Miami Herald felt both the song and "Vienes o Voy" "fail miserably" as "dance-oriented, drum machine-happy numbers".{{cite news |last1=Tarradell |first1=Mario |title=Album Reviews |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald/123472822/ |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=Miami Herald |date=6 July 1994 |page=7E |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231525/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald/123472822/ |url-status=live|via=Newspapers.com }} In the review of Juan Gabriel's performance at the Special Events Center, Maria Cortés Gonzalez of El Paso Times found it to be an "interesting, but ineffective opening".{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Maria Cortés |title=Singer Reaches into Past |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times/123473479/ |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=El Paso Times |date=21 November 1994 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231525/https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times/123473479/ |url-status=live|via=Newspapers.com }} The duet version of the song was lauded by AllMusic's Thom Jurek as "another golden moment here".
Retrospective reviews of the song have been positive. Darren Jamison of the SingersRoom ranked it number ten on Juan Gabriel's best-songs of all-time and noted despite the "serious theme", he found the song "catchy and upbeat, with a lively rhythm and a joyful melody".{{cite web |last1=Jamison |first1=Darren |title=10 Best Juan Gabriel Songs of All Time |url=https://singersroom.com/10-best-juan-gabriel-songs-of-all-time/ |publisher=SingersRoom |access-date=24 April 2023 |date=29 March 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329022358/https://singersroom.com/10-best-juan-gabriel-songs-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }} In a similar list, a Classic Rock reviewer ranked it number seven and stated that it "has a 90s pop sound, but the catchy beat can still be appreciated today". At the 7th Annual Lo Nuestro Awards in 1995, "Pero Qué Necesidad" won Pop Song of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://i.univision.com/contentuvn/rinconlatino/plnuestro/images/index_historia.swf|title=Lo Nuestro – Historia |language=es |publisher=Univision|access-date=8 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102925/http://i.univision.com/contentuvn/rinconlatino/plnuestro/images/index_historia.swf|archive-date=26 June 2015}} In the same year, Juan Gabriel earned the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year.{{cite magazine|title=The Third Annual El Premio ASCAP|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9A0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16|magazine=Billboard|date=23 September 1995|access-date=27 January 2013|issue=38|page=16|volume=107}} Commercially, the track topped the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in the United States, becoming his third number one single on the chart. It ended 1994 as the fourth best-performing Latin song of the year.{{cite magazine| date = 28 November 1998 | title = Topping The Charts Year By Year | magazine = Billboard | volume = 110 | issue = 48 | page = LMQ3| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MAoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA35| access-date = 3 March 2010}}
Puerto Rican singer Manny Manuel covered "Pero Qué Necesidad" on his debut studio album, El Rey de Corazónes (1994), as a merengue track.{{cite web|title=Manny Manuel - El Rey de Corazones Album Reviews, Songs & More|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/el-rey-de-corazones-mw0000120870|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=24 April 2023|archive-date=3 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203211923/https://www.allmusic.com/album/el-rey-de-corazones-mw0000120870|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Cordero |first1=Diana |title=Aqui y Alla |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/368635035 |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=La Prensa de San Antonio |date=26 January 1995 |page=7 |language=es |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424231534/https://www.proquest.com/docview/368635035/34396C81660D4222PQ/1?accountid=196403&forcedol=true |id={{ProQuest|368635035}} |url-status=live }} It was released as the album's lead single in 1994 by RMM Records. Manuel's version peaked at number five on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart.{{cite magazine |title=Manny Manuel: Chart History - Tropical Airplay |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/manny-manuel/chart-history/htl/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118012551/https://www.billboard.com/artist/manny-manuel/chart-history/htl/ |url-status=live }}
Charts
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= Weekly charts =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "Pero Qué Necesidad" |
| Chart (1994)
!Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardlatinsongs|1|artist=Juan Gabriel|rowheader=true|access-date=May 19, 2023|refname="latinsongs"}} |
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