In 1970, Julio Iglesias represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Gwendolyne'. Salomé, who was one of the four winners in 1969 when she performed 'Vivo cantando', thought it was a good idea to record her own version of this song, and perhaps profit a little from the success that Iglesias might have with this song in Spain.
Unfortunately, Salomé's version doesn't come close to the subtle beauty of Iglesias' version; it is a bit bland to be honest. Still, with singles like this it is always interesting to add a bit of history to your collection.
My collection: 7" single no. 6768 Found: Discogs.com, received 30 August 2022 Tracks:'Gwendolyne' / 'Llévatelo'
In 1969, the Eurovision Song Contest was organized in Spain, after Massiel's controversial win in 1968. The Spanish record company Belter did a lot to promote the event: various entries were released in attractive themed sleeves (See this one, for instance) and this EP is further evidence.
A few things are interesting about this EP: all four songs are in Spanish. Ivan & M's (a.k.a. M4) and Frida Boccara recorded these Spanish versions themselves - and they were also released on separate singles - but since there was no Spanish version of 'Desfolhada Portguesa' by Simone, it was recorded by a certain Madalena Iglesias, a Portuguese actress and singer who actually represented her country in 1966 with the song 'Ele e ela'.
Salomé was born as Maria Rosa Marco on June 21, 1943 in Barcelona, Spain. She found international fame in 1969 when she represented Spain during the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Vivo cantando' ('I live singing'). Two memorable aspects of the performance were Salomé's costume – a pantsuit covered in long strands of porcelain resembling beads – and the fact that the singer chose to dance on the spot during certain parts of the song.
The song ended up winning the contest in a tie with three other songs: United Kingdom's 'Boom Bang-a-Bang' performed by Lulu, 'De troubadour' by Lenny Kuhr representing the Netherlands, and 'Un jour, un enfant' sung for France by Frida Boccara. From these countries, only Spain never managed to win again after 1969.
My collection: 7" single no. 4411 Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Vivo cantando' / 'Abrazame otra vez'