Spanish Interpretations

We had the TV tuned to the MTV while preparing for work this morning. To my surprise, they were actually showing music videos and good ones from the ‘80s to boot. Figured Anthony could use a little musical education so I left it on for him. It seemed to work as he chewed along to the strains of Dead Or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”…although I’ll have to explain to him what it means someday.

Then they showed a video of a song that I seem to remember hearing in Spanish. After a Googling, I came across the Spanish version of the song and figured that this might make a decent blog post for today, along with a few other Spanish interpretations of popular songs. So if you’re ready, here we go. Right after the break because there will be lots of videos to follow.

Much in the same way that I don’t quite understand Jimmy Buffett’s appeal to the white folk anybody, my mind is baffled about Morrissey’s appeal to people of Latin descent. And that’s coming from someone who just happens to be in the same boat, amigos. That’s not to say I despise Steven Patrick’s music either as a solo artist or member of The Smiths because nothing could be further from the truth. I quite enjoy it but apparently not to the extent as others that share my ethnicity or live south of the border. Not like dude is singing in Spanish or about issues such as illegal immigration.

But I digress. Case in point: years ago, Morrissey was one of the headliners of an all-Spanish rock-and-roll concert tour. It was quite hilarious hearing the promos for the show with the announcer so vehemently reading off the Spanish group’s names in a monster-truck voice and then hearing, “…y Morrisseyyyyyy!” at the end of it all. To further prove my point, here’s the first video I offer, which is a cover of The Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and just happens to be one of my favorites. It’s being performed by Latin singer and blatantly obvious Morrissey fan, Mikel Erentxun.

And for reference, here’s the original:

This next video will answer the oft-asked question, “How are Depeche Mode and Enrique Iglesias connected?” Well okay, maybe not, but here’s the story.

Founding Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke wrote the song “Only You” and offered it as a way to make amends with his fellow DM bandmates after a slight disagreement in musical direction.

Not really in line with what the band had planned, they refused it. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine either Dave Gahan or Martin Gore crooning this one myself. Clarke then went on his merry way to a successful career with bands such as Erasure (with Andy Bell) and Yaz (with Alison Moyet). The song was recorded while Clarke was a member of Yaz/oo and was one of the singles, along with “Don’t Go”, off their album Upstairs at Eric’s (another one of my favorite ‘80s albums).

Years later, Enrique Iglesias recorded his own interpretation of the song. There’s your connection, and here’s “Solo En Ti” for your listening pleasure.

…and the original by Yaz (or Yazoo depending on where in the world you live):

Finally, we have one here that is a sad song to begin with but sounds even more sad in Spanish—and seemingly covered by everyone and the brother.

The first version of “Last Kiss” I ever heard was the one by Pearl Jam which was a Christmas release for members of their fan club back in the grungy ‘90s. Unfortunately, L.A. radio station KROQ played it to a point to where it was no longer unique or relevant. Strangely enough, at the same time I was working with a bunch of Spanish guys at a car lot and they always had the office radio tuned to one of the many Spanish L.A. stations.

Apparently, one of them had caught onto KROQ’s lead and began to play a Spanish version, which I now present to you, as recorded by Leopoldo Sanchez Labastida (and have your tissue ready):

…and here’s the original (you gotta dig the 45 and the phonograph)…

…and the J. Frank Wilson version…

…and finally, Pearl Jam’s version.

So many versions of the same song. Man, what gives? And did you notice that two of the songs involve being involved in car accidents? What’s up with that?

At any rate, there’s your musical education for the evening. Hope it was entertaining y muy fabuloso tambien.