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Palomita Blanca (song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Palomita Blanca
| cover = Palomita blanca jlg.jpg
| alt = Image of Juan Luis Guerra wearing a white shirt, dark blue cap, sitting down and facing right.
| type = single
| artist = Juan Luis Guerra and 440
| album = Ni Es lo Mismo Ni Es Igual
| released =
| genre = Bachata
| length =
| label = Karen
| writer = Juan Luis Guerra
| producer = Juan Luis Guerra
| prev_title = Mi PC
| prev_year = 1998
| next_title = El Nigara en Bicicleta
| next_year = 1999
| misc =
}}
"'Palomita Blanca'" is a song by Dominican Republic singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra and his band 4-40 from his eighth studio album, 'Ni Es lo Mismo Ni Es Igual' (1998). As with the rest of the album, the song was written and produced by Guerra. The song was released as the second single from the album in March 1999 by Karen Records. It is a bachata acoustic ballad about a man who is immensely in love with a woman and refuses to let her go.
"Palomita Blanca" received positive reactions from music critics, with one reviewer praising the usage of the mandolin. The song was a recipient of a Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) Latin Award in 2000. Commercially, it topped both the 'Billboard' Hot Latin Songs and Tropical Airplay charts in the United States. The accompanying music video was filmed in the Dominican Republic and directed by Pey Guzmn. In the video, Guerra sings with his guitar while a couple reunites with each other.
Background and composition
In 1994, Guerra released his seventh studio album 'Fogarat', a record consisting of soukous-influenced merengue and merengue tpico. Following its release, he took a three year hiatus from recording, citing the need to take a break. "If artists lack something, it is peace. I needed to rest to find it and I found it in the figure of Jesus Christ. I called him through prayer and received his answer", Guerra stated. During the singer's hiatus, Guerra launched his own business as a director in the Dominican Republic for Mango TV and Viva FM station. On October 29, 1997, an editor for 'La Opinin' reported that the artist had started working on a new album in Miami and he said: "I'm making "I'm making a decent album, that people like. I know the wait has been a bit long, but I'm almost sure that when the public has my new production in their hands, they will better understand why I've lasted that long without recording." In February the following year, Guerra gave an update on the progress, stating the disc would have 10 to 12 tracks including merengues, bachata, ballads, and a salsa, revealing it would be released later in 1998.
However in June 1998, Guerra was not satisfied with the material he recorded and decided to further record. Five months later, Bienvenido Rodrguez, president of Guerra's label Karen Records, revealed that the singer had wrapped up the album's production and that it would still contain the genres he announced. The record's name, 'Ni Es Lo Mismo, Ni Es Igual', was announced on November 14, 1998, and released on December 15 of the same year. Guerra wrote and produced all the tracks in the album including "Palomita Blanca". "Palomita Blanca" is a "mellow, acoustic-leaning" bachata ballad that utilizes a mandolin and addresses the "vicissitudes of a man who refuses to lose the woman to whom he professes intense love".
Promotion and reception
"Palomita Blanca" was released as the second single from 'Ni Es lo Ni Es Igual' in March 1999 by Karen Records. The song was later included on Guerra's compilation album 'Coleccin Romantica' (2000). The music video for the track was filmed in the Dominican Republic and directed by Pey Guzmn. As with the lyrics, its synopsis is about a man who refuses to let a woman he loves profoundly to leave. The video alternates between Guerra playing with his guitar and a couple who "ultimately reunites to fulfill their love for each other".
An editor for 'La Prensa San Diego' called the song a "beautiful bachata" that the singer "performs excellently and brings a musical innovation to that genre" and lauded the usage of the mandolin. Cary Darling of the 'Orange County Register' "referred to it as one of the "charmer" ballads from the album alongside "Testimonio". Similarly, 'El Norte' critic Deborah Davis cited both songs along with "Amor de Conuco" as one of the record's "moving, delicate and finely composed romantic pieces". The 'Hispanic' magazine contributor Mark Holston felt that the track "recalls Guerra's hits of the midnineties".
"Palomita Blanca" was acknowledged as an award-winning song at the 2000 BMI Latin Awards. Commercially, "Palomita Blanca" topped the 'Billboard' Hot Latin Songs and Tropical Airplay charts in the United States; it became Guerra's third and second number one on the charts, respectively. The song ranked number 32 on the Hot Latin Songs year-end chart.
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
See also
*List of number-one 'Billboard' Hot Latin Tracks of 1999
*List of 'Billboard' Tropical Airplay number ones of 1999
References
Category:1998 songs
Category:1999 singles
Category:1990s ballads
Category:Juan Luis Guerra songs
Category:Songs written by Juan Luis Guerra
Category:Latin ballads
Category:Karen Records singles
Category:Spanish-language songs
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