Home · Songs · Nat King Cole · Guadalajara
From album
More Cole Español
Nat King Cole · 1962 · Track 10
Details
TonalidadF
Compás4/4
Tempo122 BPM
Duración1:59
ÁlbumMore Cole Español
Año1962
ISRCUSCA29100224
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The story behind
The song Guadalajara, also known as ¡Guadalajara, Guadalajara!, is a fundamental piece of Mexican folklore, created by the composer Pepe Guízar in 1936. This composition, which became his first registered work, was conceived to be performed by a mariachi ensemble and was entirely dedicated to the eponymous city. Its lyrics directly address the city in the second person, and the repetition of the city's name forms the central chorus, evoking landscapes and distinctive elements of the region, such as Los Colomos park or Lake Chapala, along with towns like Zapopan and Tlaquepaque. Although all interpretations stem from the original verses by Pepe Guízar, it is common to find subtle variations or even the suppression of complete stanzas in the numerous existing versions. One of the first known recordings dates from September 1936, performed by Tito Guízar, the composer's cousin.
Among the many voices that have brought Guadalajara to life, Nat King Cole's version stands out as one of the international interpretations. The American pianist and singer included it in his 1962 album, More Cole Español, which was recorded in Mexico City. This album marked Nat King Cole's third and final foray into Spanish music, following his previous works Cole Español from 1958 and A Mis Amigos from 1959. In this recording, with arrangements by Ralph Carmichael, Nat King Cole showed particular enjoyment in performing the songs, even while perfecting his pronunciation. The duration of his version of Guadalajara is 2:02. Nat King Cole himself, whose full name was Nathaniel Adams Coles, began his musical career in the mid-1930s as a jazz pianist, influenced by figures such as Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines in his native Chicago. His first recording dates from 1936, and it was in the clubs of that city where he earned the nickname "King".
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