Feliz Navidad,
Feliz Navidad,
Feliz Navidad, prospero año y felicidad.
Well, now that I have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day/week/holiday season, let’s talk about it for a minute. I was wandering around the house singing it this morning as I got my boys out of bed. They weren’t all that pleased with me.
I think a lot of us have a love/hate relationship with Feliz Navidad. It is a catchy and fun Christmas song, but it is also played CONSTANTLY on the radio, in the stores, and in my head. Even though it was recorded back in 1970, it seems to grow through every generation. By most reports I could find, it is one of the top twenty Christmas songs of all time around the entire world. That is some serious staying-power.
As I was pestering my kids with it this morning, I asked FOML5 if he knew the song. He said he did, with a “duh” tone to his voice. But then I asked him if he knew who sang it. He did not. That might come as a surprise to those of you in my generation, but the current generation might not know anything about Jose Feliciano – with the sole exception of the Christmas song.
So I took a moment to enlighten my son as to who Jose Feliciano is, because he really is remarkable, and his story is of worth. Even though you might already know this stuff, it might help you to tolerate the song a little more the 4,000th time you hear it this year.
Jose Feliciano is blind.
His family lived in humble circumstances in Puerto Rico – he was one of ELEVEN boys. When he was five, his family moved to Spanish Harlem in NYC. His biography says that he started showing musical inclinations as early as three years old, as he would bang on a cracker tin as his uncle played music.
At age six, he taught himself how to play the “concertina.” (I didn’t know what it was either, so I looked it up for us. It is an accordion type instrument.)
By the time he was nine, he was playing for the Puerto Rican Theater in New York. Then his dad gave him a guitar… His biography says he would shut himself in his room for 14 hours a day and teach himself how to play. By seventeen, he had quit school to help support his family by playing concerts. The rest is history – here are a few highlights:
• Over 45 Gold & Platinum albums
• 19 Grammy nominations, 9 Grammy awards, including Lifetime Achievement
• On dozens of “World’s Greatest Guitarist” lists.
• Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• Has been married to the same woman for 42 years.
I don’t have any Jose Feliciano music on my iPod, and don’t really have plans to. But I must respect the man for overcoming incredible odds to become a well-respected and renowned musician, and maintaining it for 50+ years.
I might be a little tired of hearing Feliz Navidad, but I marvel that a poor, blind boy, born in obscurity, found success and actually made an impact on how the entire world celebrates Christmas.
And if you want to see him showing off with some CRAZY guitar work, here is another video:
Not to detract from your nice post, but I was listening to this song the other day and realized that it has some of the simplest lyrics ever — only 19 unique words in the whole song. (But still not quite as sparse [or as annoying] as Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful.” 🙂 )
I’ve never been a big fan of “Feliz Navidad,” but listening to it again recently I was struck by good will and honest feeling behind those simple words and melody. Feliciano said he wants to wish us a merry Christmas from the bottom of his heart, and I think he meant it.
I will listen to this song with much more respect. Everyone has a story, we too often judge without knowing their story. Very impressive man, especially the 42 year marriage.
My 14 year old daughter and I were headed to our ward Christmas party last Sat., when this song came on. Of all the songs that we listened to on our way, this was the only one she sang along with! She has Down Syndrome, and can’t always follow the words and melody very well, but she has it with this one!
Interesting! Thanks! Now find something cool for Mele Kalikimaka! I love it.
Thanks for sharing this! Knowing the man behind the music really makes that song more bearable and maybe even enjoyable! 🙂
Very cool, thanks for sharing this! I had no idea and now I like the song even more 🙂
I never get tired of this song. It has been one of my favorite since I was a little kid. I didn’t know this story though. Thanks for sharing it!
Feliz Navidad, MMM 🙂
That is cool!! Thanks. Would love to share if that’s ok??
Of course!
From the list of all his accomplishments the greatest one that stands out to me is the fact that he’s been married to the same woman for 42 years! Now that’s an awesome accomplishment
I totally agree! That’s the one that stood out to me, also.
I did not know that! Thanks. 🙂
I learned something new. 🙂