"Maria Elena"

[stoutfellow]

I was just listening to Gene Pitney singing "Maria Elena", and got to wondering about the song. It makes a reference to freedom-fighters going off to war, but what war? It was originally written in Spanish by Lorenzo Barcelata, who was Mexican; it was recorded by Jimmy Dorsey in 1941. Could it be about the Spanish Civil War? The Mexican Revolution? Does anybody know?

Comments

[sunlizzard.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, the Google-Fu, it is working tonight....

From: http://www.peermusic.com/artistpage/Lorenzo_Barcelata.html

"Barcelata’s most famous song is “María Elena,” originally written for the First Lady of Mexico, the wife of President Portes Gil. The music was first heard in the U.S. as a background theme in the 1935 film “Bordertown,” starring Paul Muni and Bette Davis, a year before the release of the Mexican film “María Elena.” While Barceleta wrote the song in Spanish, it was translated into English and first released in the U.S. by Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra on the OKeh label in 1941. That was followed by a version recorded by Jimmy Dorsey with a vocal by Bob Eberly on Decca. Dorsey’s single topped the Billboard chart the week of June 14, 1941, and occupied pole position for two non-consecutive weeks. A competing version by Wayne King was No. 2 the week of June 14, runner-up only to the Dorsey version. A vocal version by Tony Pastor also reached the top 10, peaking at No. 9 the week of June 28. Since then, “María Elena” has been recorded in many different languages. An instrumental version by two Brazilian brothers known as Los Indios Tabajaras was released on the RCA Victor label and peaked at No. 6 in 1963."

As to a reference to freedom fighters and possibly a revolution... I didn't find anything specific. But Mexico has had several revolutions. They, umm, revolt a lot down there--and usually with good cause. *smiles affectionately* Anyway, maybe with this much information you can keep hunting for further references and pin it down.

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Following up on your lead, I find that the film takes place in Mexico, but haven't gotten any further, even searching under "'Maria Elena' pelicula 1936".

Just as a matter of timing, the capital-'R' Revolution (1910-20) looks like the likeliest bet, but who knows? (The war against Maximilian would be second choice, and the war of independence a distant third.)