The Mexican singers Juan Gabriel and Puerto Rican Héctor Lavoe make history together, since the songs “Amor Eternal” and “El Cantante” were integrated into the National Recording Registry in the United States.
Along with Lavoe, Panamanian singer-songwriter Rubén Blades, composer of “El Cantante” and Willie Colón, who produced that song, are also honored.
The Library of Congress, which coordinates the integration of significant recordings, noted that “Amor Eterno,” a 1990 single, is Juan Gabriel’s most famous and “heartbreaking” song.
“Juan Gabriel, famous Mexican singer-songwriter and actor, wrote ‘Amor Eterno’ as a tribute to his mother, who died in 1974, while the singer was on tour in Acapulco,” says a report from the Library of Congress that this newspaper had in advance. . “[Es un] bolero with mariachi accompaniment [y] Anyone can grasp the magnitude of the pain expressed in the lyrics and melody. It has become an anthem of pain, immortalizing the sadness of losing a loved one and, at the same time, commemorating the eternal love that exists between a mother and a child.”
Juan Gabriel died at the age of 66 in 2016 and his son, Iván Gabriel Aguilera, spoke with La Biblioteca about his father’s legacy.
“It is something wonderful for us, it is a great honor, it is a great honor for my dad; I think that for his legacy it is something of the greatest. As you say, it’s going to be immortalized there in the Library of Congress,” he said.
From Panama and Puerto Rico
“El Cantante”, a production by Panamanian composer Rubén Blades and produced by Willie Colón, is an emblematic song by singer Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993), who became famous in 1978.
“’El Cantante’” became Lavoe’s signature song and provided the title of the 2006 biographical film about his life starring Marc Anthony,” notes La Biblioteca. “Lavoe’s difficult life also inspired the 1999 off-Broadway production ‘Who Killed Hector Lavoe?’ (‘Who killed Héctor Lavoe?’). The song narrates the livelihood, struggles and adversities that the singers experience, in addition to describing how they must interact positively with the public, who, in the end, is their only support.”
Other songs recorded in 2024
The National Recording Registry also includes “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, “Parallel Lines” by Blondie, “Ready to Die” by The Notorious BIG, “Dookie” by Green Day, “Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks and the comedy by Lily Tomlin.
“The Library of Congress is proud to preserve the sounds of American history and our diverse culture through the National Recording Registry,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.
The 2024 list also includes “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Gene Autry, the debut album by The Cars, “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” by Perry Como, “Pieces of Africa” by Kronos Quartet, “Chances Are” by Johnny Mathis, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin, “Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page and “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers.