Lo Mejor de Tu Vida
Encyclopedia
"Lo Mejor de Tu Vida" is a ballad written and produced by Spanish singer-songwriter
Manuel Alejandro
, co-written by Marian Beigbeder, and performed by Spanish singer Julio Iglesias
. It was released as the first single from his studio album
Un Hombre Solo
in 1987. This song became the first by a male performer to spent 13 weeks at number one in the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart and held the record for the biggest leap to the top of the chart for over twenty years (14-1) until Mexican rock band Maná
leapt from 22 to number one with "Manda Una Señal
" in 2007.
"Lo Mejor de Tu Vida" is also recognized as one of Iglesias' signature song
s and has been covered by several singers, including Tamara, Simone
, Ray Conniff
, Bertín Osborne
and Alexandre Pires
.
was the most popular Latin singer of the '70s and '80s, selling over 100 million albums around the world. In 1968, he was a contestant at the 1968 Spanish Song Festival at Benidorm, singing his original song "La Vida Sigue Igual". Iglesias won the first prize at the contest, which led to a record contract with Columbia
, an independent record label. During the '70s, he toured Europe and Latin America, gaining a large fan base with hits like 1975's "Manuela", written by Manuel Alejandro
. A few years before, Iglesias was watching another performer during a music festival and thought that the song he was singing was beautiful, began asking who was the writer of the track, and someone told him that the songwriter was Manuel Alejandro. Iglesias refers to Alejandro as the "greatest Spanish songwriter in history." Alejandro and Iglesias worked together again on Un Hombre Solo
which was awarded with the Grammy for Best Latin Pop Performance
and sold three million copies worldwide. Manuel Alejandro said to the Spanish newspaper La Revista that Iglesias was the best performer of his songs, and praised the simplicity of his work.
, who soared 22-1 with "Manda Una Señal
". This track spent 13 non-consecutive weeks at number-one, the most for a male performer in the Hot Latin Tracks chart, only surpassed by Daddy Yankee
with "Rompe
" (15 weeks), Luis Fonsi
with "No Me Doy Por Vencido
" (19 weeks), Flex
with "Te Quiero
" (20 weeks), and Juanes
with "Me Enamora
" (20 weeks).
who released it as a single from his album A un Idolo in 2007, peaking at number 23 in the Hot Latin Tracks. Spanish singer Tamara also did a version of this song, and included it on her album of the same name—a tribute to Julio Iglesias, produced by Max Pierre. Tamara's album peaked at number 8 in the Spanish Album chart. Simone
, Bertín Osborne
, Ray Conniff
and Yayi Gómez also recorded their own version of the track.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Manuel Alejandro
Manuel Alejandro
Manuel Alejandro is one of the most popular and sought after composers of Latin love songs, which are better known as ballads. He has written, composed, and arranged songs for the likes of Luis Miguel, Plácido Domingo, Julio Iglesias...
, co-written by Marian Beigbeder, and performed by Spanish singer Julio Iglesias
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
. It was released as the first single from his studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
Un Hombre Solo
Un hombre solo
Un hombre solo is a Julio Iglesias album released in 1987. It generated great success in entire world. The album was composed, arranged and produced by Manuel Alejandro...
in 1987. This song became the first by a male performer to spent 13 weeks at number one in the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart and held the record for the biggest leap to the top of the chart for over twenty years (14-1) until Mexican rock band Maná
Maná
Maná is a pop rock band from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, whose career has spanned more than three decades. They have earned three Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards Latin America, five Premios Juventud awards, nine Billboard Latin Music Awards and 13 Premios Lo...
leapt from 22 to number one with "Manda Una Señal
Manda Una Señal
"Manda Una Señal" is a Latin pop/rock song recorded by the Mexican band Maná for their seventh studio album Amar es Combatir . In early 2007, the song was released as the third official single from the album, and climbed to the #1 position of the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.The music video...
" in 2007.
"Lo Mejor de Tu Vida" is also recognized as one of Iglesias' signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...
s and has been covered by several singers, including Tamara, Simone
Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira
Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira, better known as Simone, is a Brazilian singer and a major performer of Música Popular Brasileira who has recorded more than 31 albums.-Biography:...
, Ray Conniff
Ray Conniff
Joseph Raymond Conniff was an American bandleader and arranger best known for his Ray Conniff Singers during the 1960s.-Biography:...
, Bertín Osborne
Bertín Osborne
Don Norberto Juan Ortiz Osborne , popularly known as Bertín Osborne, is a Spanish vocalist and actor.-Music:...
and Alexandre Pires
Alexandre Pires
Alexandre Pires do Nascimento is a Brazilian singer. Pires was previously the singer of group Só Pra Contrariar which he joined in the late 80s....
.
Background
Julio IglesiasJulio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
was the most popular Latin singer of the '70s and '80s, selling over 100 million albums around the world. In 1968, he was a contestant at the 1968 Spanish Song Festival at Benidorm, singing his original song "La Vida Sigue Igual". Iglesias won the first prize at the contest, which led to a record contract with Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, an independent record label. During the '70s, he toured Europe and Latin America, gaining a large fan base with hits like 1975's "Manuela", written by Manuel Alejandro
Manuel Alejandro
Manuel Alejandro is one of the most popular and sought after composers of Latin love songs, which are better known as ballads. He has written, composed, and arranged songs for the likes of Luis Miguel, Plácido Domingo, Julio Iglesias...
. A few years before, Iglesias was watching another performer during a music festival and thought that the song he was singing was beautiful, began asking who was the writer of the track, and someone told him that the songwriter was Manuel Alejandro. Iglesias refers to Alejandro as the "greatest Spanish songwriter in history." Alejandro and Iglesias worked together again on Un Hombre Solo
Un hombre solo
Un hombre solo is a Julio Iglesias album released in 1987. It generated great success in entire world. The album was composed, arranged and produced by Manuel Alejandro...
which was awarded with the Grammy for Best Latin Pop Performance
Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
The Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album was awarded from 1984 to 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1984 to 1991 the award was known as Best Latin Pop Performance*From 1992 to 1994 it was awarded as Best Latin Pop Album...
and sold three million copies worldwide. Manuel Alejandro said to the Spanish newspaper La Revista that Iglesias was the best performer of his songs, and praised the simplicity of his work.
Chart performance
The song debuted on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart at number 14 on May 30, 1987 and climbed to the top of the chart the following week. "Lo Mejor de Tu Vida" set the record for the biggest leap to the top in the chart's history. After almost 20 years, Iglesias' record was broken by Mexican rock band ManáManá
Maná is a pop rock band from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, whose career has spanned more than three decades. They have earned three Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards Latin America, five Premios Juventud awards, nine Billboard Latin Music Awards and 13 Premios Lo...
, who soared 22-1 with "Manda Una Señal
Manda Una Señal
"Manda Una Señal" is a Latin pop/rock song recorded by the Mexican band Maná for their seventh studio album Amar es Combatir . In early 2007, the song was released as the third official single from the album, and climbed to the #1 position of the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.The music video...
". This track spent 13 non-consecutive weeks at number-one, the most for a male performer in the Hot Latin Tracks chart, only surpassed by Daddy Yankee
Daddy Yankee
Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez , known artistically as Daddy Yankee, is a Latin Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican Reggaeton recording artist. Ayala was born in Río Piedras, the largest district of San Juan, where he became interested in music at a young age. In his youth he was interested in baseball,...
with "Rompe
Rompe
"Rompe" is the title of a song recorded by Latin reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee. The song held the #1 spot of Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart for over three months and reached a peak position of #24 on the Hot 100 chart of the same publication, showcasing an evident trend among Latin songs...
" (15 weeks), Luis Fonsi
Luis Fonsi
Luis Alfonso Rodríguez López-Cepero, more commonly known by his stage name Luis Fonsi, is a Latin Grammy winning Puerto Rican singer and composer.- Early life :...
with "No Me Doy Por Vencido
No me doy por vencido
"No Me Doy por Vencido" is a Spanish-language song by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi. It was released on August 8, 2008, for the promotional and charity compilation, AT&T TEAM USA Soundtrack. The music video of the song was released on YouTube in August 2008...
" (19 weeks), Flex
Flex (singer)
Félixer Danilo Gómez , known by his stage name DJ Flex and Nigga, is a Panamanian Latin Grammy Award winning reggaeton artist...
with "Te Quiero
Te Quiero
Te Quiero , also known as Te Quiero: Romantic Style In Da World, is the debut album by Panamian singer-songwriter Flex. It was released in late September 21, 2007 in Mexico and Panamá and three months later on December 4, 2007 in United States, peaking at number-one on those three countries...
" (20 weeks), and Juanes
Juanes
Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez , better known as Juanes is a Colombian musician who was a member of heavy metal band Ekhymosis and is now a solo artist. In 2000, his solo debut album Fíjate Bien won three Latin Grammy Awards.Juanes has sold more than 13 million albums...
with "Me Enamora
Me Enamora
"Me Enamora" is a song written and performed by Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes. The song is the first radio single of his fourth solo studio album La Vida... Es un Ratico and it received three awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Short Form Music Video at the Latin Grammy...
" (20 weeks).
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot Latin Tracks | 1 |
Personnel
This information adopted from Allmusic.- Manuel Alejandro - producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Assa Drori - concertinaConcertinaA concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It has a bellows and buttons typically on both ends of it. When pressed, the buttons travel in the same direction as the bellows, unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly to it...
- Rafael Ferro - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Michael Fisher - percussion
- Humberto Gatica - engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, mixerMix engineerA mix engineer, also referred to as "mixing engineer", is a person who, once all instruments, voices, and sounds, etc., have been recorded, creates what is called the final version of a song, hence the term "mix engineer"... - Julio Iglesias - vocals
- Randy Kerber - keyboards
- Abraham Laboriel - bass
- Michael Landau - guitar
- Michael Lang - keyboards
- Gayle Levant - harpHarpThe harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
- Fernando López - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Greg Mathieson - keyboards
- Rafael Padilla - percussion
- Carlos Vega - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Pepe Sanchez - drums
Cover versions
"Lo Mejor de Tu Vida" has been recorded by several performers, including Alexandre PiresAlexandre Pires
Alexandre Pires do Nascimento is a Brazilian singer. Pires was previously the singer of group Só Pra Contrariar which he joined in the late 80s....
who released it as a single from his album A un Idolo in 2007, peaking at number 23 in the Hot Latin Tracks. Spanish singer Tamara also did a version of this song, and included it on her album of the same name—a tribute to Julio Iglesias, produced by Max Pierre. Tamara's album peaked at number 8 in the Spanish Album chart. Simone
Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira
Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira, better known as Simone, is a Brazilian singer and a major performer of Música Popular Brasileira who has recorded more than 31 albums.-Biography:...
, Bertín Osborne
Bertín Osborne
Don Norberto Juan Ortiz Osborne , popularly known as Bertín Osborne, is a Spanish vocalist and actor.-Music:...
, Ray Conniff
Ray Conniff
Joseph Raymond Conniff was an American bandleader and arranger best known for his Ray Conniff Singers during the 1960s.-Biography:...
and Yayi Gómez also recorded their own version of the track.