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In Latin music, boleros are a form of slow ballads that originated in Cuba in the late 19th century and spread across Latin America, especially Mexico. Known for their deeply emotional and expressive qualities, boleros often explore themes of love, heartbreak and longing. Here are some of the most popular, some of which mostly likely will be performed as part of the SCP Featured Concert Boleros de Noche on April 12.
“Besame Mucho”
One of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, “Besame Mucho” (“Kiss Me a Lot”) was written in 1941 by Mexico’s Consuelo Velazquez, then a 15-year old girl. The teenage Velazquez had never been kissed at the time when she wrote this bolero, which boils over with passion, as it begins: “Kiss me, kiss me a lot/As if tonight were the last time.”
“Tristezas”
Regarded as the first bolero ever written, “Tristezas” (“Sadness”) was composed in 1885 by Jose Pepe Sánchez. A native of Santiago de Cuba, Sánchez lacked formal musical training and the only reason that some of his boleros are remembered is due to friends and relatives writing down the songs they heard.
“Dos Gardenias”
Composed by Cuban native Isolina Carrilo in the 1930s, “Dos Gardenias” (“Two Gardenias”) was revived when it appeared on the original “Buena Vista Social Club” (1997) album, sung by Ibrahim Ferrer — who learned the song from Cuban jazz great Beny Moré, when he played with him in the 1950s.
“Veinte Años”
Composed by Maria Teresa Vera from Guanajay, Cuba, “Veinte Años” (“20 Years”) is another song revitalized by the Buena Vista Social Club — this time featuring a lead vocal by Omara Portuondo, the only female BVSC member and who’s still alive at age 94. Vera was an acclaimed guitarist, singer and songwriter; she spent 27 years performing with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo in the duo Los Compadres.
“Perfidia”
Mexican composer and arranger Alberto Domínguez wrote “Perfidia” (“Betrayal”) from the perspective of a man whose lover has left him. Covered by the big bands of Xavier Cugat and Glenn Miller in the ’40s, it even crossed over into rock, with versions by the Ventures (in surf-rock style), alternative Latin chart-toppers Café Tacuba and American polka-rock fusionists Brave Combo.
“Historia De Un Amor”
Composed by Panama’s Carlos Almarán and written to commemorate the death of his brother’s wife, “Historia De Un Amor” (“Love Story”) has been performed by innumerable artists, including Latin pop legend Luis Miguel, and served as part of a soundtrack of a 1956 movie by the same name.
“Solamente Una Vez”
Written in 1941 by prolific Mexican composer Augustin Lara, “Solamente Una Vez” (“Only Once”) is one of his best-known songs. Lara penned more than 800 Latin-music standards, including “Maria Bonita,” “Noche de Ronda” and the lung-busting “Granada.” Lara was inspired by his friend José Mojica’s decision to devote himelf to religious life. In English, the refrain is: “Only once, I have loved in life. Only once. And nothing more. Not once again.” Covered in English as “You Belong to My Heart,” it was a hit for Bing Crosbyt.
“Lagrimas Negras”
Cuban composer Miguel Metamoros fused the Latin genres of son and bolero for “Lagrimas Negras” (“Black Tears”), one of the most popular songs from his repertoire.
“Inolvidable”
This beloved Cuban bolero was composed by Julio Gutierrez in 1944 and was subsequently recorded by countless artists. “Inolvidable” (“Unforgettable”) was a big hit when sung by Tito Rodriguez on “From Tito Rodriguez With Love” in 1963, selling more than 1.5 million copies. One of the original Mambo Kings, Rodriguez for years vied with Tito Puente for first place in the hearts of mambo fans worldwide.
“Somos Novios”
Composed by Mexican icon Armando Manzanero, “Somos Novios” ("We’re Lovers") became internationally famous when American crooner Perry Como recorded an English-language version, retitled "It’s Impossible," in 1971. A vocalist, pianist, bandleader and producer, Manzanero received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 from the U.S.-based Recording Academy.
