Today’s song was written by Lorenzo Barcelata and published by the Peer International Corporation of Mexico in 1932. It’s called “Maria Elena.”
Song Facts:
- The original Spanish-language song was recorded and released by Hermanos Castilla in 1934.
- In the 1940s, however, Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra and Wayne King and his Orchestra recorded separate versions of the Spanish Ballad in English. Both renditions led to it becoming the song we all know and love today.
- One of the great Western swing bands, the Texans, recorded a version of “Maria Elena” with English lyrics in February 1940 in Dallas.
- In 1958, Natalicio and Antenor Lima, better known as Los Indios Tabajaras, recorded an instrumental version of “Maria Elena.”
- “Maria Elena” was dedicated to Mara Elena Peralta, wife of Mexican President Emilio Portes Gil and sister of Mexican businessman Alejo Peralta.
- Wayne King and His Orchestra’s version of “Maria Elena” reached #2 on the Billboard charts in 1941. And in the same year, the version recorded by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra took the #1 position.
- German guitarist Dieter Geike recorded an instrumental version of “Maria Elena” on his 1983 album entitled Homeland.
- In 2002, Michael Bublé released a version on his album entitled Dream.
Lyrics:
Maria Elena you’re the answer to a prayer,
Maria Elena can’t you see how much I care,
To me your voice is like the echo of a sigh,
And when you’re near my heart,
Can’t speak above a sigh,
Maria Elena say that we will never part,
Maria Elena take me to your heart,
A love like mine is great enough for two,
To share this love is really all,
I ask of you..
Maria Elena say that we will never part,
Maria Elena take me to your heart,
A love like mine is great enough for two,
To share this love is really all,
I ask of you.
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