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El Triste
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Wikipedia article
"'El Triste'" ("'The Sad One'") is a song written by Mexican composer Roberto Cantoral. It was performed for the first time on March 15, 1970, at the "Latin Song Festival II" (predecessor of the OTI Festival) by the Mexican singer Jos Jos. 'El Triste' was included on his third studio album.
General information
The song talks about a person who is empowered to live by a longing for a loved one, which could refer either to the loss of a lover or spouse, a relative or friendthe song does not specify which exactly. The composition turned out to be very attractive both in lyrics and in its music, it catches the attention of the listener from start to finish, due to the rhetoric of the lyrics and its unique melody. "El Triste" is sung by Jos Jos in a considerably high register, highlighting the power of his voice and his extensive management of respiration. He has said it is one of the most significant interpretations that he has performed due to its technical difficulty and the impact that the song caused.
Cultural impact
The song and its interpretation was such a hit, that the audience at the festival demanded that Jos Jos had won it, but in the end, even with the impact that his performance caused, he got third place. Although "El Triste" did not win the festival it meant the consolidation of Jos Jos as a talented singer of international fame, since then it was the song that closed most of his presentations.
The song became his second number-one single in the Mexican charts in 1970 (replacing his other song "La nave del olvido"). "El Triste" became a cultural icon in Mexico, as part of the repertoire of favorite songs of Mexican popular music.
After its release at the festival it was immediately recorded in studio along with other new tracks on an LP released in 1970. Jos Jos recorded the song again in 1982 under new accompaniment and musical arrangement, and in 1998 in a duet with pianist Ral di Blasio. Some of the performers who have made their version of the song include: Plcido Domingo, Manuel Mijares, Ximena Sariana, Eddie Santiago, Vikki Carr, Yuri, Lucho Gatica, Charlie Masso, Julieta Venegas, Kalimba, David Bisbal, Cristian Castro, Il Volo, Jorge Valente and Marc Anthony among others.
Eddie Santiago's cover of the song peaked at No. 28 on the 'Billboard' Hot Latin Songs chart. Notable live cover performances include David Bisbal during the Latin Grammy tribute to Jos Jos in 2008, Cristian Castro at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2011, and Il Volo at the 2013 Latin Billboard Music Awards after Jos Jos received the 'Billboard's Lifetime Achievement Award for his fifty-year career.
Certifications
See also
*List of number-one hits of 1970 (Mexico)
References
Category:1970 songs
Category:1970 singles
Category:Jos Jos songs
Category:Cristian Castro songs
Category:Marc Anthony songs
Category:Spanish-language songs
Category:Il Volo songs
Category:Number-one singles in Mexico
Category:Songs written by Roberto Cantoral
Category:RCA Records singles
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