LOS ANGELES (AP) — José Feliciano is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his bilingual Christmas classic “Feliz Navidad” by releasing a new version featuring Jason Mraz, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Shaggy and more.
Pop balladeer Michael Bolton, Latin boy band CNCO, country duo Big & Rich, and Mexican singer and actress Patricia Manterola are among the 30 acts who teamed up remotely for the reimagined track, which is being released Friday by Amazon Music. The collaboration of artists from different backgrounds and musical genres reflects Feliciano's original goals for the song.
“The idea of ‘Feliz Navidad’ was to try and unite the people,' the nine-time Grammy winner said. 'My thought when I wrote the song was that it didn’t matter what language you were singing in, the feeling of Christmas is privy to all of us.”
The 75-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter says that back in 1970, he never imagined the song's catchy but minimalist lyrics — just six words in Spanish, 14 in English — would become a holiday standard.
“I would have to say it fulfills a dream,' he said in an interview over Zoom from his home in Connecticut. “I had the dream in my mind, but that’s as far as it went until I wrote 'Feliz Navidad.'”
Feliz Navidad Portuguese
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He's been celebrating the 50-year anniversary on social media by posting vintage photos and memories. The tune has charted on the Billboard Hot 100 repeatedly over the years, and become one of the most played and recorded Christmas songs around the world.
“Feliz NaviDAD,” which stars Mario Lopez as a single dad, premiered Nov. 21; Hart wore her director’s hat for that one. “Dear Christmas,” in which she stars, airs Friday, Nov. Great For All Christmas Events, Don't forget to have yours for Holiday Poker and Toy Runs. Christmas Glitter. Santa Helper Du-Rag. Motorcycle and Car Du-Rags; Hi-Viz Specialty Du-Rags; Christmas Du-Rags.
It was part of Feliciano's 1970 self-titled holiday album, later renamed “Feliz Navidad.” He says “We Three Kings” and “The First Noel' served as inspirations.
“I didn’t want to do a Christmas album that was syrupy,' he said, but one 'that really told the story of the savior’s birth in a way that was musical and people could get behind it.”
A documentary about Feliciano, who has been blind since birth, is expected to be released next year. “Behind This Guitar” tracks his journey from poverty in Puerto Rico and New York to performing at the Vatican's Christmas celebration.
“The cards that were given to me were not such great cards to deal with,' Feliciano said. 'I came from a foreign land, I had no vision, or at least I thought I didn’t — until I found out that I did have a vision and that I saw things the way they should be seen.”
Feliciano is also hosting a Dec. 20 concert featuring “Feliz Navidad” and his versions of other Christmas carols livestreamed from his Connecticut home.
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Jose Feliciano, who will play the Borgata Music Box December 17, has had a long and varied career and is widely considered the first Latin artist to make the crossover to the English music market. He’s also one of the greatest pop guitarists of all time, being called “the Picasso of his realm.”
He’s been awarded more than 45 Gold and Platinum records and has won 19 Grammy nominations, earning nine Grammy Awards, including the “LARAS Award for Lifetime Achievement.
And yet, when December rolls around, Jose Feliciano becomes synonymous with one simple phrase “Feliz Navidad.” His 1970 bilingual Christmas tune has become as much a part of the holidays as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” or “Silent Night.”
But think about it. How many beloved Christmas classics are there that you can name the songwriter? Who wrote “O Holy Night” for example? Who knows? (Well, Wikipedia, it was Adolphe Adam in 1847).
That’s largely because while there have been many artists who have covered “Feliz Navidad,” Feliciano’s version is still the definitive version we all want to hear. Feliciano simply taught the world how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish.
Feliz Navidad Imagenes
“Every year, it becomes bigger and bigger,” Feliciano said in 2014 interview with Billboard magazine. “Usually songs fade away after a while. But this song, every December, there it is. I never would have thought that I would have created a monster with this song.”
“‘Feliz Navidad’ happens to be one of those songs that is not exclusively for Latinos — it’s in both English and Spanish and I think that’s an advantage,” he said.
Now, of course, Feliciano, 71, is known for hits like “Light My Fire” and “Che Sara” as well as his Spanish language songs and his virtuoso mix of styles, from Flamenco to easy listening. The Puerto Rico-born Felicano has been a bridge between cultures for nearly 50 years.
But for a December show at the Borgata Music Box, well the time is right to check out Feliciano sing his most enduring legacy. On December 17 join him and wish the world “Feliz Navidad.
Tickets for Jose Feliciano at the Borgata Music Box December 17 at 8pm are $39 and $35 and available here.