Juanes
Music
Page By: Cecilia Eilola
“I sing in Spanish because for me… singing in Spanish represents my essence but I play my guitar in English.”
- Juanes; Latin Music USA, PBS
- Juanes; Latin Music USA, PBS
His Unique Sound
Juanes is a Colombian singer-songwriter and an amazing guitarist
who has reached worldwide fame and super- stardom.
The genre of Juanes’ music is considered Latin Pop-rock. His music blends classic Latin sounds with Colombian folk music and hard rock. The combination of these sounds is paired with Spanish lyrics of usually a political or romantic nature. Juanes' music is popular throughout the world not just for its unique sound, but lyrically his songs are relatable to anyone and everyone.
who has reached worldwide fame and super- stardom.
The genre of Juanes’ music is considered Latin Pop-rock. His music blends classic Latin sounds with Colombian folk music and hard rock. The combination of these sounds is paired with Spanish lyrics of usually a political or romantic nature. Juanes' music is popular throughout the world not just for its unique sound, but lyrically his songs are relatable to anyone and everyone.
First Three Solo Albums
Fíjate BienIn 2000 Juanes released his first solo album, Fíjate bien (Watch Out). Lyrically this album is very politically charged; many of the songs refer to violence, war, and political and civil unrest in Colombia. Fíjate bien was the first single and most popular song off the album. This song refers to the explosions caused by the anti-personnel mines in Colombia. These land mines were once used as guerrilla war tactics by leftist rebels, but they continue to harm and kill a large amount of Colombians today.
Fíjate bien did well in Colombia, but it was unsuccessful in other countries. However, in 2001 Juanes was nominated for 6 Latin Grammy’s for the album and won 3 for Best Rock Solo Vocal Album, Best Rock Song (Fíjate bien), and Best New artist. His Grammy nominations and wins for this album led to more album sales and increased his popularity in Latin America. Un Día NormalHis second album--Un día normal (A Normal Day)--was released in 2002. The main theme of this album is love, but there are still songs that are politically charged and refer to social upheaval. The most successful song from this album is A Dios le pido (I Ask God) and it refers to social struggle. In the song Juanes is asking God to bless and protect his family, future children, and close friends. This song became an anthem for peace throughout Latin America, particularly because of the lyric, "a Dios le pido que mi pueblo no derrame tanta sangre y se levante mi gente" which means, "I ask God that my country not shed so much blood and may my people rise up."
Un día normal was very successful commercially and critically. The album was certified gold in Colombia during its first day of sales and was certified platinum and multi-platinum in Colombia, Mexico, the USA, and Spain. Although the album was released after the eligibility deadlines for the 2002 Latin Grammy’s, the advance air-date for the single--A Dios le pido (I Ask God)—allowed it to be nominated for 3 awards and won for Best Rock Song (A Dios le pido). In 2003 the album received 5 Latin Grammy nominations and won all 5 categories: Record of The Year (Es por ti), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (Es por ti), Best Rock Solo Vocal Album, and Best Rock Song (Mala gente). Mi SangreIn 2004 Juanes released his third album, Mi sangre (My Blood).
In this album, Juanes returned to a politically charged theme that reflects the social and political unrest in Colombia. This album contained one of Juanes’s most popular and recognizable songs, La camisa negra (The Black Shirt), which is about love lost. Juanes again earned all kinds of commercial success and critical acclaim. In 2005 Mi sangre was nominated for 3 Latin Grammy’s and won all 3 three categories: Best Rock Solo Vocal Album, Best Rock Song (Nada valgo sin tu amor), and Best Short Form Music Video (Volverte a ver). Also in 2005 the singles from this album began topping the charts in non-Spanish-speaking countries like Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, which led to Juanes's global fame. |
Studio Albums and Tracks
Top 15 Songs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interesting Facts
Juanes is currently working and recording his next album. Juanes announced this news to his fans on social media.
Juanes has won 22 Lain Grammy's and 2 American Grammy's, but he has been nominated for countless other awards. In all, Juanes has been nominated for 171 different music awards and has won 72, WOW!
In 2015 at the 57th annual American Grammy awards, Juanes performed a song called Juntos which he recorded for Disney’s “McFarland USA”. Juanes was the first artist in ten years to perform a song in Spanish at the American Grammys. His performance was a hit and was trending on social media, many people saying that it was the best performance of the night.
Juanes released 3 live albums: La vida… es un ratico (en vivo), MTV Unplugged, and Tigo Music Sessions. His MTV Unplugged album was the most successful, winning him 2 Latin Grammy Awards.
Sources
Bosch, A. (Director). (2009). Latin Music USA [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/latinmusicusa/#/en/wat/04/08
Forero, J. (2004, November 23). A Singer Confronts Colombia's Pain. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/23/arts/music/a-singer-confronts-colombias-pain.html?_r=1
Birchmeier, J. (n.d.). All Music - Artist Biography. Retrieved from http://www.allmusic.com/artist/juanes-mn0000245250/biography
Juanes - Music. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.juanes.net/musica/
Forero, J. (2004, November 23). A Singer Confronts Colombia's Pain. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/23/arts/music/a-singer-confronts-colombias-pain.html?_r=1
Birchmeier, J. (n.d.). All Music - Artist Biography. Retrieved from http://www.allmusic.com/artist/juanes-mn0000245250/biography
Juanes - Music. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.juanes.net/musica/