"¿Quién será?" is a bolero-mambo song written by Mexican composers Luis Demetrio and Pablo Beltrán Ruiz.[1][2] Beltrán recorded the song for the first time with his orchestra in 1953. Pedro Infante, for whom the song was written, recorded it in 1954.

Norman Gimbel took the song, removed the somewhat melancholy Spanish lyrics about a man wondering if he shall ever love again, and wrote brand-new English lyrics about a man praising his dancing partner's ability to affect his heart with how she "sways" when they dance. This new song, titled "Sway", has become a standard in the pop repertoire. The first version to achieve considerable success in the United States was recorded by singer Dean Martin with the Dick Stabile orchestra in 1954.

Pablo Beltrán version

"¿Quién será?"
Single by Pablo Beltrán y su Orquestra
from the album South of the Border / Al sur de la frontera - Cha-cha-cha
Released1953
Recorded1953
GenreBig band, cha-cha-chá
Length2:08
LabelRCA Victor
Composer(s)Luis Demetrio
Lyricist(s)Norman Gimbel

The first rendition of Luis Demetrio's "¿Quién será?" was recorded by Pablo Beltrán Ruiz with his orchestra as an instrumental cha-cha-chá in 1953. This version was later included on the LP South of the Border / Al sur de la frontera - Cha-cha-cha. According to Demetrio, Beltrán only contributed the first few chords of the song.[3] The rest of the composition and the original lyrics (in Spanish) were all written by Demetrio.[3] However, because Demetrio sold his rights to Beltrán, the song has often been misattributed to the latter.[1]

Beltrán re-recorded the song on numerous occasions including an upbeat cumbia version for the album Mister Cumbia (1966), a ska version for the album Caliente, caliente... a go-go (1966) and a boogaloo version for the album Rosita bonita (1968), all released by RCA Victor. The cumbia version was featured in the 1967 Cantinflas film Su Excelencia.

Pedro Infante version

Demetrio had written the song specifically for Mexican singer Pedro Infante, who performed it in the film School for Tramps in 1954 and later recorded it for Peerless Records.[3] It became one of Infante's signature songs and a hit across Latin America.[1] Shortly after, Germán Valdés, better known as Tin Tan, performed a parody version of Infante's rendition in the film The Viscount of Monte Cristo.[4]

Dean Martin version

"Sway"
Single by Dean Martin
from the album Hey, Brother, Pour the Wine
B-side"Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket"
Released1954
Recorded1954
GenreBig band, pop
Length2:42
LabelCapitol
Composer(s)Luis Demetrio
Lyricist(s)Norman Gimbel
Producer(s)Dick Stabile
Dean Martin singles chronology
"Hey, Brother, Pour the Wine"
(1954)		 "Sway"
(1954)		 "Money Burns a Hole in my Pocket"
(1954)

In 1954, the English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel[5] and recorded by Dean Martin backed by Dick Stabile's orchestra. This recording reached number 15 on the Billboard magazine best-seller chart[6] and number six on the UK chart. The single was released with the B-side "Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket" (Jule Styne, Bob Hilliard) in the US, while the British version was backed by "Pretty as a Picture" (Johnny Anz). The song was well received by critics, being described as a "happy reading of a listenable ditty in the Latin-American manner" by a contemporary reviewer.[7] A version of his rendition is used in the trailer for the movie Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2022). [8]

Charts

Chart (1954) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[9] 6
US Billboard Best Sellers[6] 15
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Hungary (Single Top 40)[10] 36

Bobby Rydell version

"Sway"
Single by Bobby Rydell
from the album Bobby's Biggest Hits
B-side"Groovy Tonight"
ReleasedOctober 1960
Recorded1960
GenrePop
Length2:16
LabelCameo
Composer(s)Luis Demetrio
Lyricist(s)Norman Gimbel
Producer(s)Dick Stabile
Bobby Rydell singles chronology
"Volare"
(1960)		 "Sway"
(1960)		 "Good Time Baby"
(1961)

In 1960, Bobby Rydell recorded the first of two hit versions of the song, reaching number 14 on the Billboard charts and number 12 in Canada.[11] A disco re-recording in 1976 reached number 27 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Shaft version

"(Mucho Mambo) Sway"
Single by Shaft
from the album Pick Up on This
Released23 August 1999 (1999-08-23)[12]
Length3:42
Label
Composer(s)Luis Demetrio
Lyricist(s)Norman Gimbel
Producer(s)Al and El
Shaft singles chronology
"(Mucho Mambo) Sway"
(1999)		 "Mambo Italiano"
(2000)

British electronic music duo Shaft recorded "Sway", retitled as "(Mucho Mambo) Sway", and released it on 23 August 1999 as their debut single. This version is based on Rosemary Clooney's 1960 version, but following a dispute with the copyright holders of her recording, Shaft recorded new vocals with session singer Donna Canale. The single peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, topped the New Zealand Singles Chart, and reached the top 10 in Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and on the Canadian Singles Chart. The single was later included on Shaft's 2001 album Pick Up on This.

Background

"(Mucho Mambo) Sway" first gained attention after being featured in a television advertisement for London radio station Kiss FM. This recording was an updated version of Rosemary Clooney's 1960 version, featuring her vocals. The cover was set to be released, and many copies had already been mailed out, but the copyright holders of Clooney's version enacted a moratorium on the single to prohibit commercial usage. As a result, it was pulled from radio and television, and production of the single ceased, causing the original recording of "(Mucho Mambo) Sway" to become exponentially more valuable. Following the ban, Shaft recruited Donna Canale[13] to sing the vocals on a new version of the song. This time, they were allowed to market the single, and two days after production was finished, it went sent to record shops.

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[41] Gold 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Gold 400,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Michael Bublé version

"Sway"
Single by Michael Bublé
from the album Michael Bublé
Released22 June 2004[43]
Genre
Length3:08
Label
Composer(s)Luis Demetrio
Lyricist(s)Norman Gimbel
Producer(s)
Michael Bublé singles chronology
"Kissing a Fool"
(2003)		 "Sway"
(2004)		 "Spider-Man Theme"
(2004)

"Sway" was covered by Canadian singer Michael Bublé for his debut studio album, Michael Bublé, released in 2003. Sway was chosen for release as the album's third single, and was released in Australia on 22 June 2004.

Sway was only released as an individual single in Australia. In many other countries, the release of the track was held back until 26 July, and packaged as a double A-side with the album's fourth single, Spider-Man Theme. However, due to its popularity with Australian radio stations, the track was given a separate release in the region, with Spider-Man Theme being released three months later in September 2004, as a separate release. Bublé's version of the song has appeared in such television shows and films as Las Vegas, CSI: NY, Malcolm in the Middle, The Wedding Date, Da Kath and Kim Code and No Reservations. The music video for the track was directed by Peter Kasden, who also filmed a music video for the single's B-side, Moondance, which was released exclusively to Australian music channels to promote the release of the single. The video features scenes of Bublé performing the song in the studio, intercut with scenes of Bublé driving a car through the Australian outback. The separate release, two music videos and strong radio airplay meant that Sway reached a peak of No. 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart, making it Bublé's highest-charting single to that date.

Track listing

  • Australian CD single[44]
  1. "Sway" (Junkie XL Mix) – 3:46
  2. "Sway" (acoustic version) – 3:08
  3. "Moondance" (live version) – 3:45

Charts

Chart (2004) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[45] 15
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[46] 24

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

The Pussycat Dolls version

"Sway"
Single by The Pussycat Dolls
from the album Shall We Dance?
Released28 September 2004 (2004-09-28)
Recorded2004
Genre
Length3:12
Label
Composer(s)Luis Demetrio
Lyricist(s)Norman Gimbel
Producer(s)Ron Fair
The Pussycat Dolls singles chronology
"Sway"
(2004)		 "Don't Cha"
(2005)
Licensed audio
"Sway" on YouTube
The Pussycat Dolls at Tacoma Dome, 2006

American girl group the Pussycat Dolls recorded "Sway" and released as the only single for the Shall We Dance? soundtrack. It is also the group's debut single overall. It was later included as a bonus track on their debut studio album, PCD (2005).

Critical reception

While reviewing the Shall We Dance? soundtrack, Heather Phares cited "Sway" as one of the highlights of the album.[48] Ashley Spencer from the Orlando Sentinel described the rendition as having a "mesmerizing rhythm".[49] While reviewing the DVD of Shall We Dance? Renata Joy of Dvdizzy.com pointed the song out as "a catchy tune".[50] Rachel Sexton of MovieFreak.com called the cover "great" and noted it as "a classic updated".[51]

Promotion

The music video for "Sway" was directed by Steve Antin, the brother of The Pussycat Dolls creator, Robin Antin.[52] The video features The Pussycat Dolls dancing against a backdrop of scenes from the movie. The music video was included as bonus clip in the DVD release of Shall We Dance.[50] At that point, the Pussycat Dolls were still recording their album PCD, and the group featured members of the original Pussycat Dolls burlesque troupe who remained after the re-casting process, such as Robin Antin, Cyia Batten, Kasey Campbell and Kaya Jones. Reviewers for Comingsoon.net, Edward Douglas and Scott Chitwood described the video as "sexy" and "stylish". They also wrote that "it perfectly fits the mood of the film."[53] Slant Magazine's writer Ed Gonzales wondered if the editors of Maxim financed the video.[54] Rachel Sexton of MovieFreak.com suggested buyers to skip the video calling it "cheesy".[51] Renata Joy of Dvdizzy.com noted that "the song is much more enjoyable when not watching the accompanying video."[50] "Sway" was performed on Dancing with the Stars along with "Don't Cha" during the results show on 27 January 2006.[55]

Track listing

Digital download[56]

  1. "Sway" (Alternate version) – 3:12

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Shall We Dance - Soundtrack from the Motion Picture.[57]

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
South Korea Gaon International Chart[58] 111

Other versions

"¿Quién será?" and "Sway" have been recorded dozens of times by many artists over the decades, many of which have been included in feature films and TV episodes. This is merely a select list of popular recordings, not a comprehensive listing.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Infante Quintanilla, José Ernesto (2006). Pedro Infante: el ídolo inmortal (in Spanish). Mexico City: Océano. p. 96. ISBN 970-777-085-6.
  2. ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series (Volume 8, Part 5A, Number 1). Washington, DC: Copyright Office, Library of Congress. 1954. p. 20.
  3. 1 2 3 Vázquez, Benito (2002). "La canción "Quién será" es totalmente mía". Revista de revistas (in Spanish). Mexico DF. p. 63.
  4. ↑ Aviña, Rafael (2000). "Los ritmos populares en el cine mexicano". Cinémas Amérique Latine (in Spanish). Toulouse, France: Presses Univ. du Mirail. 8: 49. ISBN 9782858165063.
  5. ↑ Jacobs, Dick (1988). Who Wrote That Song?. Cincinnati: Betterway Publications. ISBN 1-55870-100-1.
  6. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940–1955. Record Research.
  7. ↑ "Review Spotlight on Records". The Billboard. 29 May 1954. p. 54.
  8. ↑ Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2022) Trailer. Miramax. 9 February 2022.
  9. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "CHUM Hit Parade - January 9, 1961".
  12. ↑ "Dooley" (PDF). Music Week. 21 August 1999. p. 39. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  13. ↑ Wonderboy Records (1999). (Mucho Mambo) Sway (Media notes). Shaft. Wonderboy Records. WBOYD 015.
  14. ↑ "Shaft – (Mucho Mambo) Sway". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  15. ↑ "Shaft Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  16. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9778." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  17. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 49. 4 December 1999. p. 13. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  18. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 37. 11 September 1999. p. 12. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  19. ↑ "Shaft: (Mucho Mambo) Sway" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  20. ↑ "Shaft – (Mucho Mambo) Sway" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  21. ↑ "Shaft – (Mucho Mambo) Sway" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  22. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (Vikuna 21.10. – 28.10. 1999 43. Vika)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 29 October 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  23. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – (Mucho Mambo) Sway". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  24. ↑ "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 3. 15 January 2000. p. 50. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  25. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 44, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  26. ↑ "Shaft – (Mucho Mambo) Sway" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  27. ↑ "Shaft – (Mucho Mambo) Sway". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  28. ↑ "Shaft – (Mucho Mambo) Sway". VG-lista. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  29. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  30. ↑ "Shaft – (Mucho Mambo) Sway". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  31. ↑ "Shaft – (Mucho Mambo) Sway". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  32. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  33. ↑ "Shaft Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  34. ↑ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. 1 January 2000. p. 11. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  35. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  36. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  37. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  38. ↑ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. London, England. 22 January 2000. p. 27.
  39. ↑ "Most Broadcast of 1999: Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week. 22 January 2000. p. 31. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  40. ↑ "Most Broadcast of 1999: Pop Top 20 Tracks of 1999" (PDF). Music Week. 22 January 2000. p. 32. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  41. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Shaft – Mucho Mambo". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  42. ↑ "British single certifications – Shaft – Mucho Mambo Sway". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  43. ↑ "Sway: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  44. ↑ "Items found similar to "MICHAEL BUBLE SWAY AUSSIE CD SINGLE NM"". eBay. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  45. ↑ "Michael Bublé – Sway". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  46. ↑ "Michael Buble Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  47. ↑ "British single certifications – Michael Buble – Sway". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  48. ↑ Phares, Heather (14 September 2005). "Shall We Dance? - Original Soundtrack : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  49. ↑ Spencer, Ashley (29 October 2004). "Shall We Dance?' Soundtrack Will Sweep Listeners Along". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company Allmusic. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  50. 1 2 3 Joy, Renata. "Shall We Dance? (2004) DVD Review". Dvdizzy.com. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  51. 1 2 Sexton, Rachel. ""Shall We Dance?" DVD Review". MovieFreak.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  52. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls : Sway". MTV. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  53. ↑ Douglas, Edward; Chitwood, Scott. "Shall We Dance? Blu-ray and DVD Review". Comingsoon.net. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  54. ↑ Gonzales, Ed (26 January 2005). "Shall We Dance? DVD Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  55. ↑ "Quick Hits: Linkin Park, Grammys, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Joe Strummer, Motley Crue, Pussycat Dolls, Auf der Maur, Grateful Dead, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Eagles Of Death Metal, Candlebox". FMQB. 26 January 2006. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  56. ↑ "Music - Sway (Alternative Version) - Single by The Pussycat Dolls". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  57. ↑ Various Artists (2004). Shall We Dance - Soundtrack from the Motion Picture (Booklet). Casablanca Records.
  58. ↑ "South Korea Gaon International Chart". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  59. ↑ Deveny, Thomas G. (2012). Migration in Contemporary Hispanic Cinema. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. p. 235. ISBN 9780810885042.
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