Sway (song)

For other song and album with the same title, see Sway.

"Sway" is the English version of "¿Quién será?", a 1953 mambo instrumental song by Mexican composers Luis Demetrio and Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. The most famous English version is that of Dean Martin recorded in 1954. English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel. Since then the song has been recorded and remixed by many artists (see discography below).

"¿Quién será?" by Pablo Beltrán Y Su Orchestra

"¿Quién será?"
Single by Pablo Beltrán Y Su Orchestra
Released 1953
Recorded 1953
Genre Big band, pop
Writer(s) Luis Demetrio, Pablo Beltran Ruiz

"¿Quién será?" is a Spanish song written and recorded by Luis Demetrio and Pablo Beltran Ruiz.

Dean Martin version

"Sway"
Single by Dean Martin
from the album Hey, Brother, Pour the Wine
Released 1954
Recorded 1954
Genre Big band, pop
Writer(s) Luis Demetrio, Pablo Beltran Ruiz (music)
Norman Gimbel (lyrics)

In 1954 the English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel[1] and recorded by Dean Martin (his recording reached number fifteen on the Billboard magazine best-seller chart[2] and number six on the UK chart).

Chart performance
Chart (1954) Peak
position
Billboard US Hot 100 16
UK Singles Chart 6

Michael Bublé version

"Sway"
Single by Michael Bublé
from the album Michael Bublé
Released June 22, 2004[3]
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded July 1998 - April 1999
Genre Latin pop, Cuban jazz
Length 3:08
Label 143, Reprise
Writer(s) Luis Demetrio, Norman Gimbel
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 major-label studio album, Michael Bublé, released in 2003. Sway was chosen for release as the album's third single, and was released in Australia on June 22, 2004.

Background

Sway was only released as an individual single in Australia. In many other countries, the release of the track was held back until July 26, 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 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 #15 on the ARIA Singles Chart, making it Bublé's highest charting single to that date.

Track listing

  1. "Sway" (Junkie XL Mix) – 3:46
  2. "Sway" (acoustic version) – 3:08
  3. "Moondance" (live version) – 3:45

Chart performance

Chart (2004) Peak
position
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks 24
ARIA Singles Chart 15
Polish Singles Chart 46

The Pussycat Dolls version

"Sway"
Single by The Pussycat Dolls
from the album Shall We Dance - Soundtrack from the Motion Picture
Released September 28, 2004 (2004-09-28)
Format
Recorded 2004
Length 3:12
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Ron Fair
The Pussycat Dolls singles chronology
"Sway"
(2004)
"Don't Cha"
(2005)

American girl group The Pussycat Dolls recorded "Sway" for the Shall We Dance? soundtrack. The song was later included as a bonus track on their debut album PCD (2005).

Critical reception

While reviewing the Shall We Dance? soundtrack, Heather Phares cited "Sway" as one of the highlights of the album.[5] Ashley Spencer from the Orlando Sentinel described the rendition as having a "mesmerizing rhythm".[6] While reviewing the DVD of Shall We Dance? Renata Joy of Dvdizzy.com pointed the song out as "a catchy tune".[7] Rachel Sexton of MovieFreak.com called the cover "great" and noted it as "a classic updated".[8]

Promotion

The music video for "Sway" was directed by Steve Antin, the brother of The Pussycat Dolls creator, Robin Antin.[9] 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.[7] 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."[10] Slant Magazine's writer Ed Gonzales wondered if the editors of Maxim financed the video.[11] Rachel Sexton of MovieFreak.com suggested buyers to skip the video calling it "cheesy".[8] Renata Joy of Dvdizzy.com noted that "the song is much more enjoyable when not watching the accompanying video."[7] "Sway" was performed on Dancing with the Stars along with "Don't Cha" during the results show on January 27, 2006.[12]

Track listing

Digital download[13]
  1. "Sway" (Alternate version) – 3:12

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Shall We Dance - Soundtrack from the Motion Picture.[14]

Notable Personnel

Charts

In 2012, the song charted on the South Korea Gaon International Chart at number 111, due to strong digital downloads.[15]

Chart (2012) Peak
position
South Korea Gaon International Chart[15] 111

Il Divo version

"¿Quién será?"
Single by Il Divo
from the album Amor & Pasión
Released November, 2015
Recorded 2015, México
Genre Classical crossover
Label Sony Music, Syco Music and Columbia Records.
Producer(s) Julio Reyes Copello

Selective list of recorded versions

Originals

English and spanish versions

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

Live renditions

Language versions

The song has been translated and covered in several languages. Here is a selective listing of language versions

Instrumental Versions

In popular culture

References

  1. Jacobs, Dick (1988). Who Wrote That Song?. Cincinnati: Betterway Publications. ISBN 1-55870-100-1.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940–1955. Record Research.
  3. "Sway: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  4. "Items found similar to "MICHAEL BUBLE SWAY AUSSIE CD SINGLE NM"". eBay. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  5. Phares, Heather. "Shall We Dance? - Original Soundtrack : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  6. Spencer, Ashley (October 29, 2004). "Shall We Dance?' Soundtrack Will Sweep Listeners Along". Orlando Sentinel (Tribune Company Allmusic). Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 Joy, Renata. "Shall We Dance? (2004) DVD Review". Dvdizzy.com. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Sexton, Rachel. ""Shall We Dance?" DVD Review". MovieFreak.com. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  9. "The Pussycat Dolls : Sway". MTV. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  10. Douglas, Edward; Chitwood, Scott. "Shall We Dance? Blu-ray and DVD Review". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  11. Gonzales, Ed (January 26, 2005). "Shall We Dance? DVD Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  12. "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. January 26, 2006. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  13. "Music - Sway (Alternative Version) - Single by The Pussycat Dolls". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  14. Shall We Dance - Soundtrack from the Motion Picture (Booklet). Various Artists. Casablanca Records. 2004.
  15. 1 2 "South Korea Gaon International Chart". Gaon Chart. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  16. sebastienizambard.net, ed. (25 November 2015). "NEW IL DIVO ALBUM AMOR & PASION OUT NOVEMBER 2015".
  17. "Claire Johnston - Africa Blue (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-06-04.

External links

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