Best Cover Songs 7 - Bésame Mucho

Author:
Mohan Kumar
Updated:
Jan 18, 2015

best-cover-songs-8-sway-quin-ser — mohan kumar

Bésame Mucho

The poet’s soul is a restless one. Inspiration strikes from many corners. It could rise as much from a lush scenery as from the pangs of lost love. It could also rise from listening to magical tunes.

I heard ‘Bésame mucho’ sung by the voice from Heaven, the Italian Tenor Andréa Bocelli. I was instantly smitten by the soulful tune and the lyrical cadence. It made me want to write my own poem to the tune. There have been many occasions when a tune has inspired me to pen some poetry and I thought it will be good to share the tunes and the lyrics it inspired me to write.

Pedro Infante

The Beatles Version

Diana Krall - A Rhumba version

Various Covers

I looked up this Spanish song and realised it was originally written by a Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.

She penned the beautiful lyrics that mean ‘ Kiss me, Kiss me a lot’ in 1940. The composition was very popular and has been initially recorded in Spanish by Emilio Toro and then popularised by a long line of many famous singers.

The English language version was written by Sunny Skylar, who retained the original title and the first line, but changed the lyrics completely. The English versions are not a direct transaltion of the Spanish original.

The song was covered by the popular Mexican Actor/Singer Pedro Infante in the film A Todo Maquina.

The Beatles covered this many times in their own unique style. However they used the English lyrics that didn't correspond to the original Spanish words. They allegedly sang this during their original auditions with Decca Records in 1962. It's a terrible rendition.

They were rejected!

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The Original King of the Latino Crooners, Dean Martin, sang the English version - a wonderful romantic song for lovers.

Dean Martin version - kisses galore!

Original Lyrics in Spanish

Bésame, bésame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche
La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Bésame, bésame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche
La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Quiero tenerte muy cerca
Mirarme en tus ojos
Verte junto a mi
Piensa que tal vez mañana
Yo ya estaré lejos
Muy lejos de ti

Bésame, bésame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche
La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Literal English Translation

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
As if tonight was
the last time.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you later on.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
As if tonight was
the last time.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you later on.

I want to have you very close
To see myself in your eyes,
To see you next to me,
Think that perhaps tomorrow
I already will be far,
very far from you.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
As if tonight was
the last time.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you later on.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you again.

Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you later on.

My Version

My own lyrics were inspired on hearing the Andrea Bocelli version and I tried to follow the tune closely. My poem is not a translation and does not have any link to the English version.

I have tried to follow the cadence of the tune - if you are reading the poem, play the Andrea Bocelli video below as you start reading it for the ' full effect'!

His voice is so magical and haunting, and hopefully my lyrics will do justice to the tune. I have added an extra verse or two as it is a brief song, but the follow the same beat and rhythm.

The Bocelli Version- heavenly!

A hip hop mash up

The Holywood character actor and crooner Danny Aiello collaborated in this bizarre hip-hop mashup with obligatory dancers. Not a bad voice but I am not sure if Hasan's rapping adds or subtracts to the soulful original!

Giusy Ferreri From Italian X-factor

In the first series of the popular pop programme X-factor in Italy, singer Giusy Ferreri ( yes juicy!) took the competition by storm with her voice. With her mix of Aretha Franklin and Amy Winehouse vocals ( they say!) she came second and went on to have an album career. This is her version of Besame mucho in the competition.

Cesaria Evora

This popular Cape Verdean singer Cesaria Evora, sings her rendition of Besame Mucho. She is popular among world music fans and has been nominated for a Grammy for her album Miss perfumado. Although a lifelong singer with a magical voice, she only first recorded an album when she was 47, in France.

Feel my Skin, Feel My Skin Burning

Feel my skin, Feel my skin burning

Seal a kiss -

on my lips -

don’t make me wait -

oh my darling...

Feel my skin, Feel my skin burning

Heel to my toe –

I just hope -

that you know -

how much I love you...

Hear my heart, Hear my heart beating

How much more -

can it take –

while you stand –

keeping me waiting?

Hear my heart, Hear my heart beating

The sound that you hear-

is your sweet,

sweet name dear-

it keeps chanting....

Stars blink on sky above

Moon hides its face in woe

Wishing you hold me close now...

Night air that hugs me so

Wants to come show you how

I just can’t take anymore....

Feel my skin, Feel my skin burning

Seal a kiss -

on my lips -

don’t make me wait -

oh my darling

Feel my skin, Feel my skin burning

Heel to my toe –

I just hope -

that you know -

how much I love you

My heart an empty shell

Till you did come to dwell

All my defences you Quell

Come join me in this song

Dont make me wait so long

In me is where you belong

Feel my skin, Feel my skin burning

Seal a kiss -

on my lips -

don’t make me wait -

oh my darling

Feel my skin, Feel my skin burning

Heel to my toe –

I just hope -

that you know -

how much I love you.....

***

Music and Poetry

Short Stories

Thank You - and if you like, Bésame Mucho!

Thank you for your time and hope you enjoyed this hub.

Please leave some comments below as it is nice to know what you think. If you like this and think others will too, do share on Facebook and Twitter or other sites using the buttons below and don't forget to vote your opinion.

Do visit often and read the other hubs if you like the writing. There's plenty to entertain you!

Thank you!

Docmo

Comments

Mohan Kumar (author) from UK on June 15, 2012:

Dianna, thank you so much. He's gonna love the Bésame Mucho as sung by you!

Dianna Mendez on June 15, 2012:

Romantic and so inspiring! Wow, what an article! I love the song you posted. I listened to it and now I have to go sing it for my hubby.

Mohan Kumar (author) from UK on June 15, 2012:

Thank you Daisy- I am jealous . I wanted to watch Bocelli her in Manchester but wasn't in town. I have to catch him next time. Hollywood bowl/ wine/ Bocelli and you two love birds sounds awesome! I'm sure there was Bésame Mucho going on. Muchas Gracias, Mariposa!

lovedoctor926 on June 15, 2012:

This is a very beautiful song.

Daisy Mariposa from Orange County (Southern California) on June 15, 2012:

Mohan (Docmo),

You've done it again, polymath. Add lyricist to your list of accomplshments.

I heard Bocelli sing at the Hollywood Bowl a few years ago. I purchased the tickets and told my boyfriend about it after the fact. I also didn't tell him how much money I had spent.

Sitting in the Hollywood Bowl, sipping a glass of wine, hearing Bocelli sing Bésame Mucho, I thought I had died and gone to heaven... I heard him sing it live!!!

Mohan Kumar (author) from UK on June 05, 2012:

Mary, thanks for visiting- the ocean air has put me in a be same mucho mood! Forgive me.

Mohan Kumar (author) from UK on June 05, 2012:

Thanks Deb, I loved the Dean Martin version and then as I researched more started to like the other versions, especially the Bocelli version.

Mohan Kumar (author) from UK on June 05, 2012:

Linda- I agree on Bocelli's silken vocals. I love the lyrics!

Mary Craig from New York on June 05, 2012:

Lovely re-write. Fits the song as well as the mood, but then it is no surprise coming from you. Voted up and beautiful.

Deborah Neyens from Iowa on June 05, 2012:

Clever is right! What a great hub. I know the Dean Martin version of the song, but had no idea it had been covered so many times - and by the Beatles, too (although not well, IMHO). My favorite version here is the Bocelli version. Heavenly indeed. And your poem is lovely, too.

Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on June 05, 2012:

Andrea Bocelli...his voice is as smooth as silk. Wonderful! I loved all the versions and the lips! Very clever!!:)

Justsilvie on October 10, 2011:

WOW Docmo, this Hub, your lyrics and and the Video's have given me Goose Bumps. Beautiful! Totally Romantic and Sensual!

Ingenira on August 08, 2011:

I have always loved the song (in original Spanish lyrics), and you make it hotter !

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on July 06, 2011:

Oh, I dearly loved this. The Kisses galore video is a classic featuring all of my favorite stars, plus Dean Martin's voice thrills me still today. Thank you so much. Your Hubs are fantastic.

PenMePretty on July 06, 2011:

Wonderful, Awesome, Beautiful...I am a hopeless romantic anyway... :-) you make me want to sing and dance...

Mohan Kumar (author) from UK on July 06, 2011:

@FP - thank you very much. It's crazy when you dig how many artists have covered this song...

@Flora - I am also torn between the heavenly Bocelli and the evergreen Dean Martin. Bocelli has the edge for me - only because of the original Spanish lyrics..

@Lynda, muchas Gracias, Amiga. I'm an incurable romantic.

lmmartin from Alberta and Florida on July 06, 2011:

You romantic, you! Who would have guessed?

Like your version very mucho. Lynda

FloraBreenRobison on July 05, 2011:

Oh, I love this song. Bocelli is fabulous of course. However, my favourite version is Dean Martin. As much as I know Beatles music, I hadn't heard of them recording this song.

Beautiful poem, Docmo.

Feline Prophet on July 05, 2011:

One of my all time favourite songs - in most versions! Didn't know the Beatles had sung it, however, and can't say I enjoyed their version very much. Give me a voice like Andrea Bocelli any day!