The Fascinating Tale Behind Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias’ “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”
In the world of music, Willie Nelson stands as a true legend, achieving an exceptional feat recognized by Billboard Magazine: he holds the record for charting with the most vocal partners in the country genre. With 24 different artists, he has weaved melodious duets throughout his illustrious career. What’s even more intriguing is that his first-ever chart record was a duet titled “Willingly,” where he collaborated with Shirley Collie, his second wife, back in 1962.
As the years passed, Willie continued to team up with various artists, exploring diverse musical ventures through duets. Yet, amidst the sea of partnerships, one truly remarkable and immensely successful collaboration emerged when he joined forces with Latin superstar Julio Iglesias.
The story behind this unlikely pairing began during a trip to London in the fall of 1983. Willie and his third wife, Connie, caught a glimpse of Julio Iglesias’ enchanting music on the radio. Struck by Iglesias’ talent, Connie proposed a brilliant idea – why not record a duet with the Latin sensation? Willie, recognizing the potential magic in this idea, wasted no time and tasked his manager, Mark Rothbaum, with reaching out to Julio.
Intriguingly, Willie had no inkling that Julio Iglesias was already a global sensation, outselling every other artist at the time. Nonetheless, Iglesias was delighted to come on board for the project, and the stage was set for this extraordinary musical collaboration.
Matching a Latin romantic like Iglesias with a Texas redneck like Willie might sound like a daunting challenge, but fate had a perfect song in store. Producer Richard Perry enlisted the help of Albert Hammond, who brought forward a gem from his own catalog: “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before,” co-written with Hal David in 1976, originally intended for Frank Sinatra. Julio Iglesias loved the song, and together with Willie, they laid down the vocal track in a mere two hours at Nelson’s studio in Austin, Texas.
After the recording session, the dynamic duo shared a memorable dinner, indulging in two bottles of Spanish wine. Julio then took the tape back to Los Angeles, where he fine-tuned his English to perfection, adding the finishing touches to the captivating final product.
When “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” hit the airwaves, its success was nothing short of overwhelming. The song soared to the top of Billboard’s country singles chart, and it also found its place at #5 on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. The track sold a whopping million copies, sealing its status as an unforgettable classic.
The impact of this enchanting duet extended beyond commercial success. The Country Music Association recognized the musical prowess of Willie and Julio by bestowing upon them the title of Vocal Duo of the Year. Moreover, the Academy of Country Music declared their collaboration as the “Single of the Year,” solidifying their position as a match made in musical heaven.
Despite their undeniable chemistry, Willie and Julio’s musical collaboration didn’t end there. Four years later, they reunited for another duet, covering Al Martino’s 1966 hit “Spanish Eyes” from Nelson’s album “What a Wonderful World.” While the song achieved success on the country chart, it didn’t make waves on the pop side. Nevertheless, the memory of their first duet, “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before,” remains etched in the hearts of music lovers worldwide, a timeless melody that transcends genres and cultures.
In conclusion, the story behind Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias’ iconic duet is a testament to the power of music in bringing together artists from different backgrounds. Their harmonious blend created a masterpiece that resonated with audiences everywhere, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of musical history. Their serenade to all the girls they’ve loved before continues to captivate and enchant, reminding us of the magic that transpires when two musical legends unite their voices in perfect harmony.
- Single by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson
- Album- 1100 Bel Air Place
- B-side- “I Don’t Want to Wake You”
- Released- February 1984
- Recorded- 1983
- Genre- Pop
- Length- 3:30
- Label- Columbia
- Songwriters- Albert Hammond and Hal David
- Producer- Richard Perry
Lyrics
To all the girls I’ve loved before
Who travelled in and out my door
I’m glad they came along
I dedicate this song
To all the girls I’ve loved before
To all the girls who shared my life
(You thought it was Julio?)
Who are now someone’s wives
For helping me to grow
I owe a lot I know
To all the girls I’ve loved before
The winds of change are always blowing
And every time I try to stay
The winds of change continue blowing
And they just carry me away
To all the girls who cared for me
Who filled my nights with ecstasy
They live within my heart
They’ll always be a part
Of all the girls I’ve loved before
The winds of change are always blowing
And every time I try to stay
The winds of change continue blowing
And they just carry me away
To all the girls I’ve loved before
Who travelled in and out my doors
I’m glad they came along
I dedicate this song
To all the girls I’ve loved before