¿Quién será?

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Mexican song

title: "¿Quién será?" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1953-songs", "1954-singles", "1960-singles", "1999-debut-singles", "2004-debut-singles", "dean-martin-songs", "michael-bublé-songs", "the-pussycat-dolls-songs", "number-one-singles-in-new-zealand", "songs-with-lyrics-by-norman-gimbel", "songs-in-spanish", "pop-ballads", "rca-victor-singles", "capitol-records-singles", "universal-records-singles", "143-records-singles", "reprise-records-singles", "a&m-records-singles", "interscope-records-singles"] description: "Mexican song" topic_path: "arts/music" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/¿Quién_será?" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Mexican song ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

Field	Value
name	¿Quién será?
type	single
artist	Pablo Beltrán y su Orquestra
album	South of the Border / Al sur de la frontera - Cha-cha-cha
released	1953
recorded	1953
genre	Big band, cha-cha-chá
length	2:08
label	RCA Victor
composer	Luis Demetrio
lyricist	Luis Demetrio
::

The first rendition of Luis Demetrio's "¿Quién será?" was recorded by Pablo Beltrán Ruiz with his orchestra as an instrumental cha-cha-chá in 1953. This version was later included on the LP South of the Border / Al sur de la frontera – Cha-cha-cha. According to Demetrio, Beltrán only contributed the first few chords of the song. The rest of the composition and the original lyrics (in Spanish) were all written by Demetrio. However, because Demetrio sold his rights to Beltrán, the song has often been misattributed to the latter.

Beltrán re-recorded the song on numerous occasions including an upbeat cumbia version for the album Mister Cumbia (1966), a ska version for the album Caliente, caliente... a go-go (1966) and a boogaloo version for the album Rosita bonita (1968), all released by RCA Victor. The cumbia version was featured in the 1967 Cantinflas film Su Excelencia.

Norman Gimbel took the song, removed the somewhat melancholy Spanish lyrics about a man wondering if he shall ever love again, and wrote brand-new English lyrics about a man praising his dancing partner's ability to affect his heart with how she "sways" when they dance. This new song, titled "Sway", has become a standard in the pop repertoire. The first version to achieve considerable success in the United States was recorded by singer Dean Martin with the Dick Stabile orchestra in 1954.

Pedro Infante version

Demetrio had written the song specifically for Mexican singer Pedro Infante, who performed it in the film School for Tramps in 1954 and later recorded it for Peerless Records. It became one of Infante's signature songs and a hit across Latin America. Shortly after, Germán Valdés, better known as Tin Tan, performed a parody version of Infante's rendition in the film The Viscount of Monte Cristo.

Dean Martin version

| name = Sway | cover = | alt = | type = single | artist = Dean Martin | album = Hey, Brother, Pour the Wine | B-side = Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket | released = 1954 | recorded = 1954 | studio = | genre = Big band, pop | length = 2:42 | label = Capitol | composer = Luis Demetrio | lyricist = Norman Gimbel | producer = Dick Stabile | prev_title = Hey, Brother, Pour the Wine | prev_year = 1954 | next_title = Money Burns a Hole in my Pocket | next_year = 1954 In 1954, the English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel and recorded by Dean Martin backed by Dick Stabile's orchestra. This recording reached number 15 on the Billboard magazine best-seller chart and number six on the UK chart. The single was released with the B-side "Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket" (Jule Styne, Bob Hilliard) in the US, while the British version was backed by "Pretty as a Picture" (Johnny Anz). The song was well received by critics, being described as a "happy reading of a listenable ditty in the Latin-American manner" by a contemporary reviewer. A version of his rendition is used in the trailer for the movie Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2022).

Charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1954) | Peak position | US Billboard Best Sellers | |---|---|---| | 15 | | | ::

::data[format=table] | Chart (2020) | Peak position | |---|---| ::

Certifications

Bobby Rydell version

Charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1960–1961) | Peak position | Canada (CHUM) | US Billboard Hot 100 | |---|---|---|---| | 12 | | | | | 14 | | | | ::

Shaft version

Wonderboy
Universal | composer = Luis Demetrio | lyricist = Norman Gimbel | producer = Al and El | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = Mambo Italiano | next_year = 2000

British electronic music duo Shaft recorded "Sway", retitled as "(Mucho Mambo) Sway", and released it on 23 August 1999 as their debut single. This version is based on Rosemary Clooney's 1960 version, but following a dispute with the copyright holders of her recording, Shaft recorded new vocals with session singer Donna Canale. The single peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, topped the New Zealand Singles Chart, and reached the top 10 in Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and on the Canadian Singles Chart. The single was later included on Shaft's 2001 album Pick Up on This.

Background

"(Mucho Mambo) Sway" first gained attention after being featured in a television advertisement for London radio station Kiss FM. This recording was an updated version of Rosemary Clooney's 1960 version, featuring her vocals. The cover was set to be released, and many copies had already been mailed out, but the copyright holders of Clooney's version enacted a moratorium on the single to prohibit commercial usage. As a result, it was pulled from radio and television, and production of the single ceased, causing the original recording of "(Mucho Mambo) Sway" to become exponentially more valuable. Following the ban, Shaft recruited Donna Canale to sing the vocals on a new version of the song. This time, they were allowed to market the single, and two days after production was finished, it was sent to record shops.

Critical reception

Music Week called it a "swinging latin scorcher" and compared it to Lou Bega's "Mambo No. 5" which was released in the UK the week prior.

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1999–2000) | Peak position | Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) | Denmark (IFPI) | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) | Italy (Musica e dischi) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 4 | | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | 25 | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (1999)	Position	Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	New Zealand (RIANZ)	Sweden (Hitlistan)	UK Singles (OCC)	UK Airplay (Music Week)	UK Pop (Music Week)
99
79
29
63
45
49
8
::

Certifications

Michael Bublé version

"Sway" was covered by Canadian singer Michael Bublé for his debut studio album, Michael Bublé, released in 2003. Sway was chosen for release as the album's third single, and was released in Australia on 22 June 2004.

Sway was only released as an individual single in Australia. In many other countries, the release of the track was held back until 26 July, and packaged as a double A-side with the album's fourth single, Spider-Man Theme. However, due to its popularity with Australian radio stations, the track was given a separate release in the region, with Spider-Man Theme being released three months later in September 2004, as a separate release. Bublé's version of the song has appeared in such television shows and films as Las Vegas, CSI: NY, Malcolm in the Middle, The Wedding Date, Da Kath and Kim Code and No Reservations. The music video for the track was directed by Peter Kasden, who also filmed a music video for the single's B-side, Moondance, which was released exclusively to Australian music channels to promote the release of the single. The video features scenes of Bublé performing the song in the studio, intercut with scenes of Bublé driving a car through the Australian outback. The separate release, two music videos and strong radio airplay meant that Sway reached a peak of No. 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart, making it Bublé's highest-charting single at the time on the chart.

Track listing

Australian CD single

"Sway" (Junkie XL Mix) – 3:46
"Sway" (acoustic version) – 3:08
"Moondance" (live version) – 3:45

Charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (2004) | Peak position | |---|---| ::

Certifications

The Pussycat Dolls version

Latin pop
R&B | length = 3:10 | label = A&M | composer = Luis Demetrio | lyricist = Norman Gimbel | producer = Ron Fair | misc = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Pussycat_Dolls_-_Tacoma_Dome.jpg" caption="The Pussycat Dolls in 2006"] ::

American girl group the Pussycat Dolls recorded "Sway" for the soundtrack to the 2004 film Shall We Dance?. It was later included as an international bonus track on their debut studio album PCD (2005).

Critical reception

While reviewing the Shall We Dance? soundtrack, Heather Phares cited "Sway" as one of the highlights of the album. Ashley Spencer from the Orlando Sentinel described the rendition as having a "mesmerizing rhythm". While reviewing the DVD of Shall We Dance? Renata Joy of Dvdizzy.com pointed the song out as "a catchy tune". Rachel Sexton of MovieFreak.com called the cover "great" and noted it as "a classic updated".

Promotion

The music video for "Sway" was directed by Steve Antin, the brother of The Pussycat Dolls creator, Robin Antin. The video features The Pussycat Dolls dancing against a backdrop of scenes from the movie. The music video was included as bonus clip in the DVD release of Shall We Dance. At that point, the Pussycat Dolls were still recording their album PCD, and the group featured members of the original Pussycat Dolls burlesque troupe who remained after the re-casting process, such as Robin Antin, Cyia Batten, Kasey Campbell and Kaya Jones. Reviewers for Comingsoon.net, Edward Douglas and Scott Chitwood described the video as "sexy" and "stylish". They also wrote that "it perfectly fits the mood of the film." Slant Magazine's writer Ed Gonzales wondered if the editors of Maxim financed the video. Rachel Sexton of MovieFreak.com suggested buyers to skip the video calling it "cheesy". Renata Joy of Dvdizzy.com noted that "the song is much more enjoyable when not watching the accompanying video." "Sway" was performed on Dancing with the Stars along with "Don't Cha" during the results show on 27 January 2006.

Track listing

;Promotional CD single

"Sway" – 3:10

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the soundtrack Shall We Dance?.

Nicole Scherzinger – lead vocals, background vocals
Carmit Bachar – additional vocals
Melody Thornton – additional vocals
Kaya Jones – additional vocals
Ron Fair – producer, marimba
Bill Reichenbach – trombone
Tony Terran – trumpet

Cover versions

"¿Quién será?" and "Sway" have been recorded dozens of times by many artists over the decades, many of which have been included in feature films and TV episodes. This is merely a select list of popular recordings, not a comprehensive listing.

1954 – Marie José – as "C'est si doux"
1959 – Klavdiya Shulzhenko – as "Кто ты?"
1960 – Connie Francis – Connie Francis Sings Spanish and Latin American Favorites, MGM Records
1960 – Rosemary Clooney and Dámaso Pérez Prado – A Touch of Tabasco, RCA Victor
1963 – Julie London – Latin in a Satin Mood, Liberty Record
1965 – Cliff Richard – Cliff Richard, Columbia Records
1997 – Brent Spiner on the soundtrack of the movie Out to Sea
1998 – The film Dark City, featured the version by Anita Kelsey, lip-synched by Jennifer Connelly's character as a lounge act (Jennifer Connelly herself sang it in the Director's Cut)
1999 – Steve Burns vocal version of "Sway"
2005 – The documentary film Romántico, directed by Mark Becker, features a version of the song played by Arturo Arias and Carmelo Muñiz
2005 – The film The Wedding Date, directed by Clare Kilner, features the version by Michael Bublé
2008 – The film Paris, directed by Cédric Klapisch, features the version by Pérez Prado and Rosemary Clooney
2008 – The film Revolutionary Road, directed by Sam Mendes
2010 – The film Repo Men, directed by Miguel Sapochnik, features the version by Pérez Prado and Rosemary Clooney

References

(2006). "Pedro Infante: el ídolo inmortal". Océano.
(1954). "Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series (Volume 8, Part 5A, Number 1)". Copyright Office, Library of Congress.
(2002). "La canción "Quién será" es totalmente mía". Revista de revistas.
(2000). "Los ritmos populares en el cine mexicano". Presses Univ. du Mirail.
Jacobs, Dick. (1988). "Who Wrote That Song?". Betterway Publications.
(29 May 1954). "Review Spotlight on Records". The Billboard.
(9 February 2022). "Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2022) Trailer". Miramax.
(21 August 1999). "Dooley".
[[Wonderboy Records]]. (1999). "(Mucho Mambo) Sway". Wonderboy Records.
"Shaft Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)".
(4 December 1999). "Top National Sellers".
(11 September 1999). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
(29 October 1999). "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (Vikuna 21.10. – 28.10. 1999 43. Vika)". Dagblaðið Vísir.
(15 January 2000). "Hits of the World – Italy".
(1 January 2000). "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999".
"Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". [[Dutch Top 40]].
"End of Year Charts 1999". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
"Årslista Singlar, 1999". [[Sverigetopplistan]].
(22 January 2000). "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100".
(22 January 2000). "Most Broadcast of 1999: Airplay Top 50".
(22 January 2000). "Most Broadcast of 1999: Pop Top 20 Tracks of 1999".
"Sway: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk.
"Items found similar to "MICHAEL BUBLE SWAY AUSSIE CD SINGLE NM"". eBay.
Phares, Heather. (14 September 2005). "Shall We Dance? - Original Soundtrack : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards".
Spencer, Ashley. (29 October 2004). "Shall We Dance?' Soundtrack Will Sweep Listeners Along". [[Tribune Company]] [[Allmusic]].
Sexton, Rachel. ""Shall We Dance?" DVD Review". MovieFreak.com.
"The Pussycat Dolls : Sway". MTV.
Joy, Renata. "Shall We Dance? (2004) DVD Review". Dvdizzy.com.
"Shall We Dance? Blu-ray and DVD Review". Comingsoon.net.
Gonzales, Ed. (26 January 2005). "Shall We Dance? DVD Review".
(26 January 2006). "Quick Hits: Linkin Park, Grammys, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Joe Strummer, Motley Crue, Pussycat Dolls, Auf der Maur, Grateful Dead, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Eagles Of Death Metal, Candlebox".
[[The Pussycat Dolls]]. (2004). "Sway". [[A&M Records]].
(2004). "Shall We Dance? – Soundtrack from the Motion Picture". [[Casablanca Records]].
(8 September 2012). "www.youtube.com".
(4 June 2013). "www.youtube.com".
"www.allmusic.com".
(2012). "Migration in Contemporary Hispanic Cinema". Scarecrow Press.

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