Begin the Beguine
Julio Iglesias · 1981
61 min · 16 tracks · country music
A lush blend of romantic ballads and vibrant Latin rhythms that envelops the listener in passion and nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
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Begin the Beguine Start here — The title track is a masterful reinterpretation of Cole Porter's classic, featuring lush orchestration that highlights Iglesias's emotive vocal delivery and sets the tone for the entire album.
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Me olvidé de vivir — This poignant ballad showcases Iglesias's storytelling prowess, reflecting on life's fleeting nature with a heartfelt performance that resonates deeply with listeners.
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Grande, grande, grande — An exuberant celebration of love, this track stands out for its infectious energy and showcases Iglesias's ability to fuse traditional Latin sounds with pop sensibilities.
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Soy un truhán, soy un señor — This song highlights Iglesias's charismatic persona, blending humor and charm in a way that captures the essence of his appeal as an entertainer.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends romantic ballads with Latin rhythms, showcasing Iglesias's vocal style but lacks standout compositional depth.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lush orchestral arrangement on 'Begin the Beguine,' setting a romantic tone that persists through most tracks.
- Several songs feature prominent Latin rhythms, particularly in tracks like 'Guantanamera' and 'Soy un truhán, soy un señor,' which contrast with slower ballads.
- The sequencing alternates between upbeat tracks and slower ballads, creating a dynamic flow that maintains listener interest.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady melodic journey throughout
- romantic ballads for intimate moments
- vibrant rhythms for lighthearted moods
- smooth vocals during quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefering fast-paced listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped establish Julio Iglesias as an international star.
- Themes
- romantic nostalgia· Spanish ballad tradition· vibrant Latin rhythms
- Career context
- By 1981, Julio Iglesias had transitioned from a budding artist to an international star, with 'Begin the Beguine' marking his third studio album. This release followed the commercial success of his previous albums, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in Latin pop music. His distinctive style was further refined during this period, showcasing his ability to appeal to diverse audiences across different cultures.
- Stylistic neighbors
- José José· Julio Iglesias Jr.· Engelbert Humperdinck
Tracklist
- 1 Begin the Beguine Start here 4:44
- 2 Quiéreme 2:46
- 3 Me olvidé de vivir 4:52
- 4 Por un poco de tu amor 2:58
- 5 Grande, grande, grande 3:49
- 6 Como tú 3:31
- 7 Guantanamera 3:46
- 8 Quiéreme mucho (Yours) 4:15
- 9 Hey 5:00
- 10 Un día tu, un día yo 3:02
- 11 Soy un truhán, soy un señor 3:06
- 12 Candilejas 4:13
- 13 El amor 2:50
- 14 33 años 3:49
- 15 Isla en el sol 3:21
- 16 Pregúntale 4:55
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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