1-2-3 (Gloria Estefan song)
Encyclopedia
"1-2-3" is a popular song by Gloria Estefan
and her former band, Miami Sound Machine. It was written by Estefan and former band member Enrique "Kiki" Garcia and appears on the multi-platinum album Let It Loose.
Released as the fifth and final single
from that album in the summer of 1988, "1-2-3" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart, the band's seventh Top 10 hit. In addition, the song became their fourth #1 hit on the Billboard adult contemporary chart
. On the Billboard R&B chart
, "1-2-3" peaked at 54, and on the UK Singles Chart
it peaked at #9. The single version was essentially the same as the album version of the song, although it was slightly remix
ed to add more horns to the music and a different intro; this version was issued on Gloria Estefan Greatest Hits
and The Essential Gloria Estefan
.
By the time "1-2-3" was released a single in 1988, the song's co-writer Kiki Garcia had acrimoniously departed Miami Sound Machine. Garcia was quoted describing the situation in the band: "There is no Miami Sound Machine. There is Gloria and Emilio
telling a bunch of hired musicians what to do."
The lyrics of "1-2-3" detail the singer's desire to have a shy suitor approach her.
Gloria Estefan
Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García de Estefan; known professionally as Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-born American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known as the "Queen Of Latin Pop", she is in the top 100 best selling music artists with over 100 million albums sold worldwide, 31.5 million of those...
and her former band, Miami Sound Machine. It was written by Estefan and former band member Enrique "Kiki" Garcia and appears on the multi-platinum album Let It Loose.
Released as the fifth and final single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from that album in the summer of 1988, "1-2-3" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, the band's seventh Top 10 hit. In addition, the song became their fourth #1 hit on the Billboard adult contemporary chart
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
. On the Billboard R&B chart
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
, "1-2-3" peaked at 54, and on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
it peaked at #9. The single version was essentially the same as the album version of the song, although it was slightly remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed to add more horns to the music and a different intro; this version was issued on Gloria Estefan Greatest Hits
Gloria Estefan Greatest Hits
Gloria Estefan Greatest Hits is a 1992 compilation album by the Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan.As well as a collection of her greatest hits, the album also contained four new songs...
and The Essential Gloria Estefan
The Essential Gloria Estefan
The Essential Gloria Estefan is the seventh compilation album released by American singer Gloria Estefan, but is the twentieth-eighth album overall, released in 2006...
.
By the time "1-2-3" was released a single in 1988, the song's co-writer Kiki Garcia had acrimoniously departed Miami Sound Machine. Garcia was quoted describing the situation in the band: "There is no Miami Sound Machine. There is Gloria and Emilio
Emilio Estefan
Emilio Estefan, Jr. is a Cuban-American of Lebanese ancestry who is a musician and producer. Estefan's first taste of celebrity came as a member of the Miami Sound Machine, but he is also recognized as the producer of many famous singers. He is the husband of singer Gloria Estefan...
telling a bunch of hired musicians what to do."
The lyrics of "1-2-3" detail the singer's desire to have a shy suitor approach her.