Baladas en Español explained

Baladas en Español
Type:compilation
Artist:Roxette
Cover:Roxette Baladas en Espanol.jpg
Released:21 October 1996
Recorded:1987–1996
Genre:Pop
Length:51:50
Language:Spanish
Label:EMI
Producer:Clarence Öfwerman
Prev Title:Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus!
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:Have a Nice Day
Next Year:1999

Baladas en Español is a Spanish language compilation album by Swedish pop duo Roxette, released on 21 October 1996 by EMI. The compilation was only issued in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking territories. It was a commercial success upon release, peaking in the top ten of several national record charts, and was certified gold or platinum in numerous territories, namely Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Spain. As of 2001, the record sold in excess of 1.2 million copies worldwide.

"Un Día Sin Ti" and "No Sé Si Es Amor" were released as commercial singles, though most songs on the album would go on to receive substantial amounts of airplay on Latin American and Spanish radio. In 2022, a complete collection of the record was released, consisting of all the Spanish language songs recorded by Roxette.

Composition and style

The album consists of twelve of Roxette's ballads and downtempo tracks, translated into Spanish by songwriter Luis Gomez Escolar, of whom very little is known.[1] Escolar's translations have been criticised by both fans and media for being poorly representative of the original English lyrics, as well as for being overly-simplistic and juvenile.[2]

Commercial performance

Baladas en Español was released on 21 October 1996,[3] exclusively in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking territories. However, it was also released in the US by EMI Latin, making it the final Roxette album to be officially issued in the country.[4] The record was preceded by the release of "Un Día Sin Ti" as its lead single, which reached the top ten of Billboards Latin Pop Songs.[5] The song also charted on the national airplay chart of Spain.[6] Its music video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund.[7] "No Sé Si Es Amor" was released as the album's second and final single in January 1997,[4] peaking at number six in Spain.[6] "Soy una Mujer" was released as a promotional single exclusively in Mexico in July 1997.[4]

The album was a commercial success upon release, and has been certified double platinum in Spain (indicating shipments of over 200,000 units), platinum in Argentina and Brazil (for 60,000 and 250,000 copies, respectively), and gold (100,000 copies) in Mexico. As of 2001, Baladas en Español has sold over 1.2 million copies worldwide, and just over 13,000 copies in the US.[8]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Baladas en Español.[9]

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart (1996–97)
Argentine Monthly Albums (CAPIF)[10] 6
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[11] 6
Spanish Albums (Promúsicae)8

Certifications

!scope="row"|Worldwide||1,200,000[12] |-

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Muere la cantante de Roxette Marie Fredriksson: "Baladas en español", un éxito criticado por sus traducciones. es. "Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson dies: 'Baladas en español', a success criticized for its translations". BBC. 10 December 2019. 5 March 2022.
  2. Web site: No traduzcan más éxitos del pop en inglés al castellano, por favor. es. "Don't translate any more English pop hits into Spanish, please.". Palmer, Manu. Vanity Fair. 11 November 2016. 5 March 2022.
  3. Web site: Baladas en español Roxette . . 8 June 2018.
  4. Book: Thorselius, Robert . The Look for Roxette: The Illustrated Worldwide Discography & Price Guide. 1st. May 2003. Premium Förlag Publishing . Sweden. 978-9197189484.
  5. Latin Songs: Top Latin Pop Songs Chart . . . 15 March 1997 . 18 February 2017.
  6. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st . September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
  7. . DVD liner notes . . . 2003 . 7243 4 90946 9 7.
  8. Billboard.com > Ask a Question > Roxette's Rocky U.S. Relationship. Keith Caulfield. Billboard. . 16 August 2005 . 8 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090519005909/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001015119 . 19 May 2009 . dead.
  9. Baladas en español . liner notes . Digital booklet . . . 1996 . 7243 8 544142 4 . Stockholm, Sweden.
  10. What Does It Take To Break A Hit? Don't Cry For Julio . John Lannert . . 18 January 1997 . 109 . 3 . 38 . 0006-2510.
  11. Hits Of The World - Portugal . . 1 February 1997 . 109 . 5 . 49 . 0006-2510.
  12. News: Sagan om Roxette: På väg tillbaka - eller? . Ninni O Schulman . . . 15 April 2001 . Swedish . Lord of Roxette: On the way back - or? . https://web.archive.org/web/20010605042251/http://www.expressen.se/article.asp?id=63791 . 5 June 2001 . 8 September 2016 . dead.