| Chiquitita | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Menudo | ||||
| Released | July 1, 1979 | |||
| Studio | Estudio Torres Sonido, Madrid, Spain | |||
| Genre | Latin pop | |||
| Label | Padosa, Inc. | |||
| Menudo chronology | ||||
| ||||
Chiquitita (released in Puerto Rico as Menudo) is Menudo's third Spanish album, released in 1979, this time featuring brothers Carlos, Óscar and Ricky Meléndez (aged 14, 13, and 11 respectively), Fernando Sallaberry (14), and new member René Farrait (12). René replaced Nefty Sallaberry after Nefty reached the age limit set by Menudo management.
In 1979, the quintet had already established itself as a successful act in its homeland, Puerto Rico. Additionally, it managed to get some of its songs among the most played in countries like the Dominican Republic.
Promotion
To promote the new album, the group traveled to Venezuela twelve times without receiving payment. This led to substantial success: with the single "Chiquitita," a cover version of one of the best-known songs by the Swedish group ABBA, they achieved commercial success in the country.
Critical reception
The specialized music critics also responded positively. In the column of the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, on October 10, 1979, the critic recommended the album Chiquitita, as a tribute to the country's Children's Month, noting that the quintet had significant qualities as performers.
Commercial performance
In Puerto Rico, the album Menudo earned the quintet its first gold record for its impressive sales.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead Vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ella-a-a" | H. Herrero, J. Seijas, L. G. Escobar | Group | |
| 2. | "Sólo Tu Amor" | Edgardo Diaz, Celi Bee | René Farrait | |
| 3. | "Doña Tecla" | Socorro Centeno | Óscar and Ricky Meléndez | |
| 4. | "Mi Mejor Amiga" | S. Centeno | Fernando Sallaberry | |
| 5. | "Voy A América" | J. Seijas, E. Guerín, C. Villa | René Farrait | |
| 6. | "Chiquitita" | Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson | Fernando Sallaberry, Carlos Meléndez | |
| 7. | "Sueños" | Pedro Herrero | Carlos Meléndez | |
| 8. | "De Tu Vuelo" | Alejandro Monroy, E. Diaz | Group | |
| 9. | "Soy Natural" | E. Diaz | Group | |
| 10. | "Voulez-Vous" | B. Ulvaeus, B. Andersson, E. Diaz | Group |
References
- Molina, Dave (1995). "Menudo". Artist Spotlight.
- LECHNER, ERNESTO (10 August 1998). "Revived Menudo Gets No Better With Age". Los Angeles Times.
- CATLIN, ROGER (5 February 1998). "An Old Twist On 'Forever Young' Menudo". Hartford Courant.
- Pradt, Mary A. (20 June 1983). "Puerto Rico's Clean Teens, Menudo, May Become the Hottest Latin Import Since Jalapeños". People Magazine. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015.
- ^ Ruiz 1999, p. 93
- "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Record World. August 12, 1978. p. 103. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Record World. June 10, 1978. p. 97. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Record World. March 4, 1978. p. 55. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Record World. May 13, 1978. p. 60. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Record World. March 25, 1978. p. 93. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Record World. September 9, 1978. p. 73. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- "Latin America Hit Parade" (PDF). Record World. December 16, 1978. pp. 24–25. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- Portela, Wilde (February 28, 1985). "In Recife, the group-company that is conquering the world". Diário de Pernambuco (in Spanish). Vol. 23, no. 809. Pernambuco. p. B-1. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- "Disconotas". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Vol. 23, no. 809. October 10, 1979. p. 3-C. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- Ruiz 1999, p. 27
Bibliography
- Ruiz, Damarisse Martínez (1999). Menudo: el reencuentro con la verdad. Hato Rey: Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas. ISBN 1-881713-71-7.