Here are 10 favorites:
“We are Novios”
Manzanero wrote the sweetly innocent “Somos Novios” (We are boyfriend and girlfriend, because we both feel mutual and deep love) in 1968. The purity of the letters connected on a global scale. While the English adaptation of the song – “It’s Impossible” by Sid Wayne – changed the lyrics (It’s impossible, tell the sun to leave the sky, it’s just impossible), the notion of lasting love remained. When Perry Como recorded “It’s Impossible”, it became his first song to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in over 12 years. “It’s Impossible” received a 1971 Grammy nomination for song of the year, while Como’s album of the same name was nominated for best male pop vocal performance. “It’s Impossible” was also recorded by Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, Shriley Bassey and Andre Bocelli, among many others. In Spanish, “Somos Novios” remains one of the most played Spanish songs of all time.
“This afternoon I saw Llover”
The opening sentence – “This afternoon I saw rain, I saw people running, but you weren’t” – guaranteed “Esta Tarde” a place between Advertising panelThe 50 best Latin songs of all time. Extremely popular in Latin America, it was re-recorded in English by Tony Bennett under the title “Yesterday I Heard the Rain”, also the title of his 1968 album. Below, find Bennett performing a Spanish music duet with Alejandro Sanz from 2011 Duets II album.
“Love”
There are more than 70 recordings of this song – including instrumental versions – made by Manzanero in 1967. Check out this version for Bronco’s Cumbia.
“Te Extraño”
Originally written by Manzanero in 1968, the song was most famously replayed by Luis Miguel in his seminal album Romance 1991, where he covered large boleros. Manzanero, who co-produced the album, curated a jewel that included compositions by many other writers.
“No Se Tú”
It is also part of Romance, “No Se Tú” was painfully vulnerable in its lyrics of loss. “I miss you so much; I don’t know about you.” Romanceovercame Advertising panelat the 1992 Hot Latin Songs chart.
“Contigo Aprendí”
The song was recorded by a wide range of artists of various styles, from Trío Los Panchos in the 1960s to Alejando Fernández.
“Nothing Personal” (Nothing Personal)
The song was written by Manzanero for the 1999 soap opera of the same name. Manzanero sang the theme song with Lisset. “Between you and me, there is nothing personal; it’s just the heart that takes your love’s breakfast, lunch and dinner ”, say the first lines.
“Esperaré” (I’ll wait)
Manzanero re-recorded the song in an acoustic bolero style in this memorable version with the Spanish trio Café Quijano.
“Voy a Apagar la Luz” (I will turn off the lights)
This vampy, vampy and decidedly sexy song marked a departure for Manzanero. Perhaps the best known version is that of Luis Miguel, from his 1997 album Affairs.
“Por Debajo de la Mesa” (Under the Table)
Although not as widely covered as other Manzanero hits, “Por Debajo de la Mesa” is painfully beautiful.