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Osvaldo Farrés
Perhaps the most popular song written by Osvaldo Farrés is “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps,” recorded by a multitude of artists, including Doris Day, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, and Mari Wilson, whose vocals on the song grace the opening credits of the popular British TV series “Coupling.” Farrés wrote the song as “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” in 1947; it was introduced to the U.S. by Nat King Cole on his “Cole Español” album in 1958.
Farrés was born in 1903 in Quemado de Guines, a small town in the central province of Villas, Cuba. He moved to the city of Havana while still young. He tried his hand at a variety of jobs, working as a draftsman, a messenger, a store window decorator, and a bank worker before being hired as an advertising manager for a large brewery. There, he composed slogans and commercials and designed Mardi Gras chariots for the famed Havana carnival. It was during this time that Farrés wrote his first song.
In the 1940s, Farrés hosted one of the most popular radio programs in Cuba, “Bar Melódico de Osvaldo Farrés.” Broadcast Wednesday nights at 9 p.m., the program attracted international artists like Nat King Cole and Maurice Chevalier. Farrés continued the series on television, in the same time period.
Farrés’ songs were exported from Cuba and translated into different languages. The 1946 film “Easy to Wed” featured “Acércate Mas,” sung as “Come Closer to Me.” It was performed on the soundtrack by Carlos Ramírez as well as Esther Williams. Also in 1946, the Walt Disney film “Make Mine Music” featured Farrés’ “Tres Palabras,” sung as “Without You” by Andy Russell. The literal translation of the title is “Three Words.” It was originally written when singer Chela Campos asked Farrés to quickly come up with a new song for her to record. Farrés protested he needed time and inspiration, but Campos retorted, “You can write a song in three words!” and the song was born. “I never thought that ‘Tres Palabras’ would go around the world,” Farrés once said.
His songs were included in many other movies, and performed by artists all over the world. Aside from Cole and Chevalier, his songs were recorded by Edith Piaf, Johnny Mathis, Charles Aznavour, Eydie Gorme, Placido Domingo, and many acclaimed Latin singers.
Farrés’ many honors include awards bestowed upon him by the French performing rights society SACEM, BMI, and the Mexican performing rights society SACM. In Cuba, he was awarded the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Medal, one of the nation’s highest tributes. Farrés left his native Cuba in 1962 and never returned, dying in exile in 1985.
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