| A Song of Joy | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Miguel Ríos |
| B-Side: | El Rio |
| Released: | 1969 |
| Genre: | Rock, pop |
| Length: | 4:45 |
| Label: | A&M |
| Producer: | Hispavox |
"A Song of Joy" ("Himno de la alegría") is the title of a popular rock song by the Spanish singer and actor Miguel Ríos. It is set to the tune of the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, as arranged by Waldo de los Ríos, who specialized in arranging classical music to contemporary rhythms.[1] The same melody is used in the well-known Christian hymn, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee."
The single was enormously popular in many countries in 1970 (see 1970 in music), reaching number 1 on music charts in Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and the Easy Listening chart in the United States.[1] On the U.S. pop chart, the song peaked at number 14 and was the only Top 40 hit for Ríos.[1] In the United Kingdom, it reached number 16 on the British pop chart.[2] In Germany, the song is the most successful pop hymn ever.[3] The single sold over four million copies worldwide.[1]
The song was used for hymns and anthems. It is most popularly used for the anthem of Teleton (Chile) and its other telethons.
| Chart (1969–70) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] | 1 |
| Canada RPM Top Singles[5] | 1 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Indonesia (Aktuil)[6] | 2 |
| New Zealand (Listener)[7] | 5 |
| South Africa (Springbok)[8] | 3 |
| Switzerland | 1 |
| UK[9] | 16 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 14 |
| US Billboard Easy Listening | 1 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[11] | 9 |
| Chart (1970) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia [12] | 17 |
| Canada [13] | 33 |
| Switzerland [14] | 1 |
| US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)[15] | 122 |
| US Billboard Easy Listening[16] | 16 |
