A song that got my attention…

I believe it was one September morning of 1976, the radio was on, I was shaving, getting ready for work at Look ski bindings, in the small bathroom of our old Nevers apartment, and suddenly I heard for the very first time "Porque te vas" by Jeanette, a song that instantly captured my total attention and stayed in my head for good. 

To this day, I’m still wondering why I fell in love with it, even though, at that time, Spanish language was alien to me. The romantic ballad blended elements of funk, disco and pop music, featuring a predominant use of the saxophone. 

Antoine Deshusses, a journalist for Le Monde, wrote in 2005, "Simple and effective, the song intrigues. This entanglement of horn and guitar sounds armed with a wah-wah pedal, cadenced by drums hitting the open hi-hat, offers against all odds a support adapted to the strange acidulated voice of its interpreter and later to the intervention of the brass. The basic and alert rhythm of 'Porque te vas' easily enters the ear, and later the head." 

The song remains a timeless classic due to some unique factors that captivated the ear, like its emotional depth as it delved into themes of heartbreak, loss, and longing, evoking strong emotions in the listener. Also it’s melodic beauty is both haunting and memorable, creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. 

If you don’t understand Spanish and read their translation, the lyrics are poignant and relatable, expressing universal feelings of love and loss. Finally, Jeanette's powerful and emotive vocals perfectly conveyed the song's emotional intensity. 

I’m sure you too have a song that one day struck you like this one did for me. Leave a comment and share with us which one it is!