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Amiga Ma
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Amiga Ma
| cover = Amiga Mia.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Alejandro Sanz
| album = Ms
| released = 1997
| format =
| studio = Excalibur, Milan, Italy
Plastic, Rome, Italy
Sintonia, Madrid, Spain
Red Led, Madrid, Spain
| genre = Rock
| length =
| label = WEA Latina
| writer = Alejandro Sanz
| producer =
*Miguel Angel Arenas
*Emanuele Ruffinengo
| prev_title = Corazn Parto
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = Aquello Que Me Diste
| next_year = 1998
| misc =
}}
"'Amiga Ma'" is a song by Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz from his fifth studio album, 'Ms' (1997). WEA Latina released it as the album's fourth single in the same year. The song was written by Sanz and produced by Miguel Angel Arenas and Emanuele Ruffinengo. The rock ballad carries a message of unrequited love and was inspired by a close friend of Sanz. The song received positive reactions from music critics who regarded it as one of his best songs. A music video for "Amiga Ma" features the artist performing on top of a building while the townspeople watch and his love interest leaves with her fianc.
The song was a recipient of an Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) Latin Award in 1999. Commercially, the track at peaked at number two on the 'Billboard' Hot Latin Songs chart in the United States, while also topping the Latin Pop Airplay chart in the US. "Amiga Ma" was included on the set list for the Ms Tour and all subsequent tours. It has been covered by Natalia Jimnez and Joe King, with live renditions being performed by India Martnez and Luis Fonsi.
Background and composition
Since the release of his first album with WEA Latina, 'Viviendo Deprisa' (1991), Alejandro Sanz has a maintained popular following in his native Spain. The album, along with its follow-ups, 'Si T Me Miras' (1993), 'Bsico' (1994), and '3' (1995), were successful in the country having been certified multi-platinum. The tracks in the records are characterized as romantic ballads. On 12 July 1997, Sanz announced that he had finished recording his next project, 'Ms', which was recorded and mixed in Italy under the direction of Emanuelle Ruffinengo and Miguel Angel Arenas, who handled its production. The album was recorded at Excalibur in Milan, Plastic in Rome, Sintonia and Red Led in Madrid, Spain and was released on 8 September 1998. Sanz penned over 30 compositions, of which ten made it to the final release including "Amiga Ma".
"Amiga Ma" is a rock ballad that "treatises on loneliness, regrets and misery." The song narrates "the sad story of a person who was fixed on someone who did not correspond to his love". The composition was inspired by the experience of his close friend, Irene Chamorro, who was in love with Spanish musician Antonio Flores. Musically, it is accompanied by a flamenco guitar riff and "percussive beats". In the lyrics, he chants: "Amiga ma, lo s, slo vives por l que lo sabe tambin, pero l no te ve como yo" ("My friend, I know you only live for him, and he knows it too, but he doesn't see you like I do").
Promotion and reception
"Amiga Ma" was released as the fourth single from 'Ms' in 1997. The music video for the song has Sanz singing on top of a building to a woman he loves as the townspeople watch and ends with the woman walking away with her fianc. "Amiga Ma" was included on the artist's compilation albums 'Grandes xitos 19912004' (2004) and 'Coleccin Definitiva' (2011). 'El Norte' critic Devorah Davis regarded it as one of the album's two "sweeping ballads" along with "Y, Si Fuera Ella?". Tarradell praised Sanz's "powderkeg" vocals and felt the instruments gave it an "exotic feel". The track was listed as one of the best Sanz's song by 'Esquire' and Los 40.
The track was recognized as one of the best-performing songs of the year at the 1999 BMI Latin Awards. Commercially, "Amiga Ma" became the singer's first number one on the 'Billboard' Latin Pop Airplay chart and peaked at number two on the Hot Latin Songs chart in the US.
Live performances and covers
"Amiga Ma" was included on the set list for the Ms (1998-99), El Alma Al Aire (2001-02), No Es Lo Mismo (2004), El Tren De Los Momentos (2007-08), Paraiso (2009-11), La Msica No Se Toca (2012-14), and #LaGira (2019) tours. An acoustic rendition of the song was performed for a live audience and recorded for the album, 'MTV Unplugged' (2001). To commemorate the 20th anniversary of 'Ms', Sanz held a concert at the Vicente Caldern Stadium in Madrid, Spain on 24 June 2017, where he presented the songs from the album live with musical guests, including "Amiga Ma" with Spanish musician India Martnez.
Spanish singer Natalia Jimnez covered "Amiga Ma" on the album, 'Y Si Fueran Ellas?' (2013), a collection of Sanz's songs recorded by female artists. Puerto Rican artist Joe King recorded a salsa version of the track on his disc, 'Corazn Parto' (1999), which AllMusic's Eugene Chadbourne described as "friendly if possessive". King's rendition peaked at number 33 and 16 on the Hot Latin Songs and Tropical Airplay charts, respectively. As part of the Latin Recording Academy tribute to Sanz, who was presented with the Person of the Year accolade in 2017, Puerto Rican musician Luis Fonsi performed "Amiga Ma" live where he was accompanied by a violin section.
Personnel
Credits adapted from the 'Ms' liner notes.
* Miguel Angel Arena producer
* Joan Bibiloni acoustic guitar
* Paolo Costa bass guitar
* Luca Jurman chorus
* Lele Melotti drums
* Saverio Porciello acoustic guitar
* Paola Repele chorus
* Elena Roggero chorus
* Emanuele Ruffinengo piano, keyboards, programmer, producer
* Alejandro Sanz vocals, songwriting
* Ludovico Vagnone electric guitar
Charts
See also
*List of 'Billboard' Latin Pop Airplay number ones of 1998
References
Category:1997 songs
Category:1997 singles
Category:1990s ballads
Category:Rock ballads
Category:Alejandro Sanz songs
Category:Natalia Jimnez songs
Category:Songs written by Alejandro Sanz
Category:Spanish-language songs
Category:Warner Music Latina singles
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