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Somos Novios (It's Impossible)
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Wikipedia article
"'Somos Novios'" (Spanish for "We Are Lovers") is a song first recorded by Mexican songwriter Armando Manzanero in 1968. Originally a French song "J'ai le mal de toi", different versions with unrelated lyrics in different languages have been written and recorded. Perry Como recorded an English version of "Somos Novios" with original English lyrics titled "'It's Impossible'", which was a top 10 hit in the US and the UK.
The song has become one of the most popular boleros of all time and it has been covered by numerous artists. The recording by Manzanero was inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.
Background
The song has its origin in a song "J'ai le mal de toi" written by Jack Dieval and Michel Rivgauche. It was performed by Frdrica in 1960 as an unsuccessful submission for the selection of the French entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. in 1964, Colette Deral recorded the first known recording of the song. It was recorded in English by Kathy Kirby as "The Way of Love" in 1965.
In 1968 Armando Manzareno wrote original Spanish lyrics and recorded a version as "Somos Novios" with a tune closely similar to "J'ai le mal de toi". However, "Somos Novios" is regarded as a separate song with Manzareno credited as its only songwriter. The song was the title track of Manzareno third album 'Somos Novios' released in July 1968. Manzareno also appeared in the 1969 Mexican film of the same title 'Somos Novios' starring Palito Ortega, and performed the song. The song was included in the inaugural inductions for the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame established in 2001 to honor early Latin music recordings.
Perry Como version
"Somos Novios" was adapted in 1970 by Sid Wayne, who wrote original English lyrics set to the music. Sid Wayne was a collaborator with Elvis Presley, but decided to give the song instead to Perry Como. Perry Como recorded the song under the title "It's Impossible".
The Como version would be one of his most influential records, and in February 1971 it became his first song to reach the top ten of the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in more than 12 years, peaking at No. 10. The song's peak on the Hot 100 chart came just weeks after concluding a four-week run at number one on the 'Billboard' Easy Listening chart. On the UK Singles Chart, the single reached No. 4 in 1971.
Como's version was nominated for Song of the Year at the 1971 Grammy but lost to "You've Got a Friend".
Charts
Andrea Bocelli versions
Andrea Bocelli has covered the song as a duet with a number of artists, including Christina Aguilera, Petra Berger, Katharine McPhee, and Rimi Natsukawa in 2006. The duet with Aguilera was recorded in 2006; it features on Bocelli's album, 'Amore' and was released as a single.
The duet with Natsukawa is a bonus track of the album's release in Japan. The duet with Natsukawa also appears as a bonus track for the Japanese version of Bocelli's 'The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere'. McPhee joined Bocelli onstage at the JCPenney Jam and their version is included on the album for the event.
Other versions
The song has been recorded by Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, Shirley Bassey, Robert Goulet, New Birth, Jerry Vale, Dennis Brown, Andrea Bocelli, Frances Yip and Mick Hucknall among others.
Elvis Presley recorded "It's Impossible" on stage at the Las Vegas Hilton February 16, 1972. This version was released on his 1973 album, "Elvis." It was also included on Elvis's 1975 compilation album, 'Pure Gold'.
Vikki Carr, an influential and popular Spanish-language songstress, recorded a notable version; and the YouTube video of her introducing this song in 1972 on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' is available for viewing. The Three Degrees recorded a version in Spanish in 1975 which later appeared on a reissue of their album International, Sergio Franchi covered this song (in English) on his last album, 'Sergio Con Amore-From My Private Collection' (Gold Records, 1976).
In 1976 the song was arranged by Soviet composer Georgy Firtich as the gangster song for the cartoon series 'Adventures of Captain Wrongel' that became the most famous tune from the series. Firtich, rather than Manzanero, is still credited as the composer.
The song was also covered by Italian singer Mina in her 1988's album 'Ridi Pagliaccio'.
Tejano group Mazz recorded this as part of a medley entitled "Canciones De Amor" which was on the album 'Para Nuestra Gente'.
Julio Iglesias recorded the song, in English, for his 2006 album 'Romantic Classics'.
Todd Gordon and Ian Shaw recorded it for the 2007 album 'Ballads from the Midnight Hotel'.
Luis Miguel recorded another version on his album, 'Segundo Romance', which was co-produced by Manzanero. Manzanero himself recorded the song as a duet with Puerto Rican singer Olga Tan for his 2001 album 'Duetos'.
Clay Aiken recorded the song on his 2010 album 'Tried and True'.
A cover of the song is used at the end of one of the episodes in the 2015 Netflix original series 'Grace and Frankie', starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
In 2016: Marina Prior and Mark Vincent covered the song on their album 'Together'
Ramon Jacinto covered the song, in English, for his 2016 1st ballad album 'Romancing RJ'.
Jason Manford recorded it for his 2017 album 'A Different Stage'.
See also
*List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1970 (U.S.)
References
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