Unfortunately, I never saw Nino Bravo perform in life. Neither live, of course, nor on television. The Valencian singer passed away 50 years ago today, in a traffic accident when traveling from Valencia to Madrid to the recording studio with the Humo Duo. This happened 14 before I was born. So, like all the people of my generation, I have had to settle for seeing the artist’s recorded performances, listening to his records and the thousand and one versions that other artists have made of his songs.
And even so, I love, admire and appreciate Nino Bravo more than many singers “of my time”. Come on, the 14 years between his death and my birth have not prevented me from knowing all his songs by heart and from the fact that he has been and continues to be one of the Spanish singers I most admire.
And, if karaokes throughout Spain have taught us anything, it’s that I’m not the only person who knows all their songs. There is no night, in a Spanish karaoke – and, if you hurry me, in the world – in which a song by Nino Bravo is not sung. And, yes, we destroyed them a bit, but I like to believe that we are paying tribute to him. Whether you’ve lived under a rock or want to arm yourself with party supplies for next week, here are my favorite songs to sing your heart out to. As an advantage, they also work for the car like these other great songs. Two for one.
A kiss and a flower
“When parting a kiss and a flooooooor”. Either you start with a classic or you don’t start at all. I don’t think there’s anyone left in Spain who hasn’t sung this song. My recommendation is that you take this experience out of the shower and take it to a karaoke. Try it and tell me.
Free
Let’s see, this one is better to sing in the car, but in karaoke you have that one too. Especially if you are in a stage of change, if you have left that toxic partner who was making your life bitter or if you have finally decided to leave the job that made you so unhappy. The rest of the week you can be a bit scared for the future, but this karaoke night you’re going to feel “free, like the bird that escaped from its prison.” You are welcome.
america america
Did I think I was Latin American singing this song? Well it could be. You call me “America America” and I think I was born in Mexico at least. Come on, I sing it in karaoke and I live it to the fullest, as if she were talking about my own house. That the song is a bit racist because, the way he paints it, it seems like he’s talking about 1942 rather than 1973, which is when the song was released? Well it could be. “The rhythm of a drum in the prairies. Dances of war and peace of a people who have not yet broken their chains”, but we forgive them because It’s a great song and it’s the last song he recorded before his fatal accident.
Noelia
How many girls in the room are named Noelia after this song? Raise your hand, please. If I have confessed to you that by singing “América América” in karaoke I become a Latin American through and through, I am also going to confess to you that, singing this song, I live it as if I had a girlfriend named Noelia. And that I am straight. Well, nothing, totally in love with Noelia. Heteroflexible for a few minutes. Look you.
So, as a gossip, so that you have context when you sing it, it is supposed that This song was dedicated by Augusto Algueró, the songwriter, to Noelia AfonsoMiss Spain 1968. And no, “he didn’t take it”
that will be my house
I’m not going to lie to you, I doubted the last one. ‘Yellow cards’? ‘I love you I love you’? ‘My land’? All of them would rock any self-respecting karaoke, but ‘That will be my house’ is my choice, without a doubt. call me romantic One day we should talk about Nino’s obsession with goodbyes, girl. “That will be my house when I gooooo. That will be my house when I say goodbye to you.” Well, look, what better way to end a karaoke night when they can’t take us anymore in the place. Boy, we love you.
Photos | RTVE
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