"Reach"
Single by Gloria Estefan
from the album Destiny
ReleasedApril 1996 (1996-04)
Recorded1995-1996
Genre
Length3:50
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Gloria Estefan singles chronology
"La Parranda"
(1996)		 "Reach"
(1996)		 "You'll Be Mine (Party Time)"
(1996)
Music video
"Reach" on YouTube

"Reach" is a song by Cuban-American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan. It is co-written by Estefan with Diane Warren and was the official theme song of the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, United States. The single was included on the official Atlanta 96 album, Rhythm of the Games, and later on Estefan's seventh studio album, Destiny (1996).[1] The song became a sizeable European hit, peaking within the top 10 in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway and Spain, where it reached number two. In the UK, it peaked at number 15, while on the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached number 47 in June 1996. Outside Europe, it peaked at number 23 in Australia as well as number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Reach" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the ceremony in 1997, but lost out to Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart", which was also written by Diane Warren. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Marcus Nispel.

Estefan recorded a Spanish version of the song, "Puedes Llegar" (in English: "You Can Arrive"), with Julio Iglesias, Plácido Domingo, Jon Secada, Alejandro Fernández, Roberto Carlos, Ricky Martin, José Luis Rodríguez, Patricia Sosa and Carlos Vives on vocals. This version can be found on the Spanish version of the Olympics compilation album, Voces Unidas.

Background and release

"It's about starting over and getting up and moving, so yeah, I can identify very strongly with it. We really wanted the song to be something that everyone could identify with. It was done as a folk song and then, because of the grandness of the Olympics, we threw on the big drums. But it is a song for every culture."

—Gloria Estefan talking about the song.[2]

"Reach" was seen by many as the most progressive project of her career until then. The single became available for radio and club airplay on March 26, 1996. It can be described as an anthemic and inspirational ballad with an Olympic tie-in featuring both drums and a gospel choir, and was one of two official songs of the 1996 Summer Olympics which began in Atlanta, US on July 19. Estefan performed the song on the closing ceremony on August 4.

It was written by Estefan and famed tunesmith Diane Warren, and co-produced by Estefan's husband, Emilio Estefan Jr. and Lawrence Dermer. After Warren came up with its title, she and Estefan wrote the lyrics of the song in 20 minutes.[3] The lyrics are about overcoming troubled times and coming back stronger than ever. Radio reactions to the song were strong and the videoclip got active play on various music TV channels, like VH1. It also received remixes from David Morales, Pablo Flores and Love To Infinity.

The song appears on Estefan's compilation albums Greatest Hits Vol. II (2001), The Very Best of Gloria Estefan (2006) and The Essential Gloria Estefan (2006).

Critical reception

The song received favorable reviews from most music critics. Scottish Aberdeen Press and Journal complimented Estefan, who "still has an admirable voice".[4] Editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine for AllMusic stated in his review of Destiny, that "Reach" "rank with her finest work", with the other album tracks "I'm Not Giving You Up" and "Higher".[5] Another editor, Jon O'Brien wrote that the song perhaps is "her finest moment, a motivational power ballad complete with gospel choir and tribal drums."[6] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "stately power ballad" and an "outstanding recording". He remarked that Estefan "has rarely sounded so vocally flexible and confident, broadening her range to wonderfully appealing heights within a softly building pool of percussion and gospel-spiked choir chants." He also felt that "by the dramatic close, the song has risen to inspirational anthemic proportions."[7] The magazine's Paul Verna declared it as "uplifting".[8] The Daily Vault's Mark Millan named it the best track on the album and added that 'musically it's very "international" and lyrically it's very uplifting.'[9] Chris Hicks from The Deseret News viewed it as "gorgeous."[10] Josef Woodard from Entertainment Weekly called it a "feel-goody" song.[11]

Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report felt that "the remarkable performer really shines when she has new material that showcases her signature style." He added that the collaboration with pop songwriting genius Diane Warren "results in a production which is quintessential Gloria Estefan."[12] Roger Catlin from Hartford Courant said that the singer 'is savvy enough to save her trump card for last—her Olympic anthem "Reach".'[13] Jeremy Griffin from The Ithacan deemed the song as a "triumphant anthem."[14] Pan-European magazine Music & Media called it a "sweeping ballad dominated by slow, impressive drums which swell to a climax towards the end." They complimented Estefan's voice as "warm and strong, amplified by a gospel choir, but she wisely eschews any vocal acrobatics."[15] A reviewer from Music Week rated it five out of five, picking it as Single of the Week. The reviewer added, "It's a top-notch curtain-raiser to her first English-language album in five years, and it's a smash."[16] Ian Fortnam from NME stated in his review of the album, that "it is 'Reach' that is truly destined to break the global bank this summer as the official anthem of the Olympic Games."[17] David W. Bothner from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette declared it as a "surprisingly folksy tune."[18] Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In remarked that it expresses a "willingness to 'go the distance' to fulfill a promise."[19]

Music video

"To have a song forever tied to a ceremony like that, especially to play it at the closing ceremony, when everyone has won their medals, is a really great experience."

—Gloria Estefan talking to Music Week about the song.[20]

A black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single. It was directed by German film director and producer Marcus Nispel and premiered in April 1996.[21] The video was shot at Key Biscayne Beach in Florida[22] and features Estefan standing on a high colossus by the sea, like a monumental goddess. She holds a long black transparent veil that blows in the wind. Birds fly in the air and the sun shining on the sea reflects back on Estefan as she sings.

There are at least two different edits of the video. The most common version shows Estefan performing mixed with different TV images of the olympic flag and various Olympic athletes performing in their genres.[23] The other version is called the Vogue version.[24]

Track listing

  • Original Versions
  1. Album Version — (3:50)
  2. Single Version (w/o Chorus Ending) — (3:50)
  3. Spanish Version ("Puedes Llegar") — (3:50)
  1. Gold Medal Mix — (6:46)
  2. Gold Medal Single Edit — (4:43)
  1. Love To Infinity's Master Mix — (5:00)
  2. Love To Infinity's Pure & Free Mix — (6:27)
  3. Love To Infinity's Radio Master Mix — (4:18)
  4. Love To Infinity's Walk In The Park Radio Mix — (4:12)
  5. Love To Infinity's Walk In The Park Mix — (6:27)
  6. Love To Infinity's Aphrodisiac Mix — (6:58)
  1. Higher Radio Mix — (3:50)
  2. Higher Club Mix (Vox Up) — (10:42)
  3. Higher Club Mix — (10:42)
  4. Reachin' Dub — (8:10)
  5. Dubstrumental — (7:30)

Charts

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[25] 23
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[26] 26
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[27] 6
Czech Republic (IFPI CR)[28] 3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[29] 47
Germany (Official German Charts)[30] 58
Hungary (Mahasz)[31] 8
Italy (Musica e dischi)[32] 21
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[33] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 46
Norway (VG-lista)[35] 10
Scotland (OCC)[36] 18
Spain (Promusicae)[37] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 19
UK Singles (OCC)[39] 15
US Billboard Hot 100[40] 42
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[41] 5
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[42] 29
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[43] 2

Puedes Llegar

"Puedes Llegar"
Single by Various artists
from the album Voces Unidas
Released1996 (1996)
Recorded1996
Genre
Length4:13
LabelEMI Latin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Emilio Estefan
Music video
"Puedes Llegar" on YouTube

A Spanish version called "Puedes Llegar" was recorded in 1996 which featured vocals from Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Julio Iglesias, Plácido Domingo, Roberto Carlos, Jose Luis Rodríguez, Patricia Sosa, Alejandro Fernández, Ricky Martin and Carlos Vives. "Puedes Llegar" was included as the opening track for EMI Latin's Voces Unidas, the official Spanish-speaking album for 1996 Olympic Games.[44]

"Puedes Llegar" was released as a promotional single and reached the position 2 on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks and Latin Airplay charts in June 1996.[45][46]

Charts

Chart (1996) Peak

position

US Hot Latin Tracks (Billboard)[45] 2
US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)[47] 3
US Regional Mexican Airplay (Billboard)[48] 18
US Tropical Airplay (Billboard)[49] 10

References

  1. ↑ "Rhythm of the Games". Archived from the original on 2013-02-10. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  2. ↑ Benson, Michael (2000). Gloria Estefan. Twenty-First Century Books. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  3. ↑ Farmer, Neville (18 May 1996). "Gloria Estefan — Beginning A Year Of Promotion For New Album, Destiny" (PDF). Music Week. p. 20-21. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  4. ↑ Aberdeen Press and Journal. 10 May 1996. p.14.
  5. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Gloria Estefan - Destiny". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  6. ↑ O'Brien, Jon. "Gloria Estefan - The Very Best of Gloria Estefan". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  7. ↑ Flick, Larry (30 March 1996). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 134. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  8. ↑ Verna, Paul (22 June 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Albums" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Millan, Mark (21 January 2010). "Gloria Estefan - Destiny". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  10. ↑ Hicks, Chris (31 July 1996). "Vocalists go for the gold on Olympic-inspired songs". The Deseret News. p. 13. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  11. ↑ Woodard, Josef (7 June 1996). "Destiny". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  12. ↑ Sholin, Dave (22 March 1996). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 2097. p. 54. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  13. ↑ Catlin, Roger (13 June 1996). "Album Review - Gloria Estefan - Destiny". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  14. ↑ Griffin, Jeremy (22 March 2001). "Gloria spices up oldies". The Ithacan. p. 17. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  15. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 April 1996. p. 10. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  16. ↑ "Reviews" (PDF). Music Week. 4 May 1996. p. 31. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  17. ↑ Fortnam, Ian. "Gloria Estefan – Destiny". NME. Archived from the original on October 6, 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  18. ↑ Bothner, David W. (31 August 1996). "Estefan shows why she's tops". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  19. ↑ Waliszewski, Bob. "Destiny". Plugged In. Focus on the Family. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  20. ↑ Farmer, Neville (18 May 1996). "Gloria Estefan — Beginning A Year Of Promotion For New Album, Destiny" (PDF). Music Week. p. 20-21. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  21. ↑ "Gloria Estefan: Reach (1996)". IMDb. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  22. ↑ "Estefan Embraces Her 'Destiny'". Billboard magazine. 11 May 1996. p. 80. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  23. ↑ "Gloria Estefan - Reach". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  24. ↑ "Gloria Estefan - Reach (Vogue Version)". YouTube. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  25. ↑ "Gloria Estefan – Reach". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  26. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3027." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2991." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 2 March 1991. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  28. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. 7 September 1996. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  29. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 8 June 1996. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  30. ↑ "Gloria Estefan – Reach" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  31. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. 17 August 1996. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  32. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 30 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Gloria Estefan".
  33. ↑ "Gloria Estefan - Reach" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  34. ↑ "Gloria Estefan – Reach" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  35. ↑ "Gloria Estefan – Reach". VG-lista. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  36. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 12 May 1996 - 25 May 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  37. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  38. ↑ "Gloria Estefan – Reach". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  39. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  40. ↑ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  41. ↑ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  42. ↑ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  43. ↑ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  44. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1998-09-26). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  45. 1 2 "Voces Unidas (Hot Latin Sogns)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  46. ↑ "Voces Unidas (Latin Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  47. ↑ "Voces Unidas (Latin Pop Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  48. ↑ "Voces Unidas (Regional Mexican Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  49. ↑ "Voces Unidas (Tropical Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
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