During a routine process of conservation and digitization of tapes, Sony Music Mexico audio engineer Edson R. Heredia discovered “Ya No Pienso en Ti,” an unreleased track by José José, out Saturday (Sept. 28) exclusively through Spotify Singles, on the fifth anniversary of the beloved Mexican singer’s passing.
“It was a magical moment,” says Heredia, who then set out to research more about the recording, finding that it was made on Nov. 9, 1978, in England, with David Hunt as the sound engineer and Tom Parker as the producer.
“Ya No Pienso en Ti” — which means “I No Longer Think of You” — is a heartfelt ballad about heartbreak in which José José, with his exquisite interpretative quality, sings about his recovery process after a breakup. “I’ve convinced myself that a long long time ago, I lost you/ I’ve resigned myself to not counting on your love’s support/ I’ve gotten used to not seeking you when I miss your warmth,” he sings in Spanish.
For the release, Latin Grammy-winners Edson R. Heredia and Memo Gil did a new mix so that the voice of the dubbed Prince of Song could be revived in 2024 as a gift for his fans five years after his departure.
“These are the kinds of discoveries that they keep sending us from heaven,” actor and singer José Joel, the son of José José, exclusively tells Billboard Español. “It’s something very beautiful that allows us to continue remembering my father despite his passing. We are very grateful to the company (Sony Music Mexico) because they keep finding ways to perpetuate José José’s legacy.”
“We as a family also do it every year at the place where he grew up,” he adds. “This Sept. 28, we will be at Parque de la China, in the Clavería neighborhood of Mexico City, paying tribute with my mother Anel Noreña and me, along with the fans who have always supported us.”
José Joel, who is currently on tour in Mexico performing songs from his repertoire and that of his father — with whom he shares a great vocal resemblance — will sing for the first time at the event “Sangre de tu Sangre,” which he describes as a response to the unforgettable “La Fuerza de la Sangre” that father and son recorded for the 1994 album Grandeza Mexicana.
José José is undoubtedly one of the most important references in Spanish-language music. Known for hits like “El Triste,” “40 y 20” and “Amar y Querer,” he sold millions of records and filled iconic venues such as the Madison Square Garden and the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Throughout his over 55 years career, he recorded 36 albums, released 30 greatest hits compilations, as well as conceptual projects.
His records sold, according to his label, more than 100 million copies, receiving multiple gold, platinum, and diamond certifications. He also received some of the most important awards in the industry, among them the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, and the Person of the Year Award of 2005 from the Latin Recording Academy. He also unveiled his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.
On the Billboard charts, he placed 20 hits on Hot Latin Songs, 13 of them in the top 10 and four at No. 1, including “Soy Así”, “Y Quién Puede Ser,” “Amnesia” and “Quién Como Tú,” which spent 10 weeks at the top in 1989. He also had 20 entries on Top Latin Albums, reaching the top 10 in 2003 with El Príncipe Con Trío Vol. 1, which peaked at No. 7.
The star, whose real name was José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, died on Sept. 28, 2019, at the age of 71 after having confirmed in March 2017 that he was suffering from pancreatic cancer. His music continues to be a part of the lives of thousands of fans around the world, as evidenced by his 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Listen to the newly released song by José José “Ya No Pienso en Ti” below:
