- published: 08 Oct 2009
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"Chiquitita" (a Spanish term of endearment for a woman meaning "little one") is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in January 1979 as the first single from the group's Voulez-Vous album. Originally, the track "If It Wasn't for the Nights" was going to be the album's lead single, but after "Chiquitita" was completed those plans were abandoned, and it would remain an album track.
Many preliminary versions of "Chiquitita" exist. It had working titles of "Kålsupare", "3 Wise Guys", "Chiquitita Angelina" and "In The Arms of Rosalita". A revised version, which had a sound that was influenced by the Peruvian song "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" performed by Simon and Garfunkel, was recorded in December 1978 and released as a single in January 1979.
With the success of the English version, ABBA also recorded "Chiquitita" in Spanish by phonetics, and it was one of the featured tracks on the Spanish-language release Gracias Por La Música.
"Chiquitita" proved to be one of ABBA's biggest hits. It was featured in a 1979 UNICEF charity event, the Music for UNICEF Concert, broadcast worldwide from the United Nations General Assembly. As a direct result of this event, ABBA donated half of all royalties from the song to UNICEF. "Chiquitita" hit #1 in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Mexico, South Africa and Rhodesia, and was a Top 5 hit in ABBA's native Sweden, the United Kingdom (peaking at #2 in both countries where Blondie's "Heart of Glass" was occupying the top spot), Australia, Germany and Norway, making it the most successful single from the Voulez-Vous album in terms of global charts and one of the most famous charity songs ever. To this day, 50% of the proceeds from the song go to UNICEF in recognition of the "International Year of the Child" in 1979.
Music video by Abba performing Chiquitita. (C) 1979 Polar Music International AB
ABBA - Chiquitita 1979 Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong You're enchained by your own sorrow In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow How I hate to see you like this There is no way you can deny it I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet Chiquitita, tell me the truth I'm a shoulder you can cry on Your best friend, I'm the one you must rely on You were always sure of yourself Now I see you've broken a feather I hope we can patch it up together Chiquitita, you and I know How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end You will have no time for grieving Chiquitita, you and I cry But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you Let me hear you sing once more like you did before Sing...
For stereo click here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ih4JqI44Qz8&fmt;=18 ABBA "Chiquitita" (Spanish version) from: 300 Millones/May 28, 1979. This shows ABBA'S versatility in singing in different languages, including Spanish. Thanks to Abbainter.net for this clip. Chiquitita, dime por qué Tu dolor hoy te encadena En tus ojos hay Una sombra de gran pena. No quisiera verte asi Aunque quieras disimularlo Si es que tan triste estás Para qué quieres callario Chiquitita, dimelo tú En mi hombro, aquí llorando Cuenta conmigo ya Para así seguir andando Tan segura te conocí Y ahora tu ala quebrada Déjamela arreglar Yo la quiero ver curada Chiquitita, sabes muy bien Que las penas vienen y van y desaparecen Otra vez vas a bailar y serás feliz, Como flores que florec...
**Thanks for all your fine comments** Beautiful performance of a great song from Leysin, Switzerland Feb. '79 Many thanks to abbainter.net for this wonderful clip I added some subtitles for your enjoyment Rare Agnetha composed song 'Disillusion' from '73 here... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=QNJBvfkL0s0&fmt;=18 Chiquitita (Benny Andersson/Bjorn Ulvaeus) Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong You're enchained by your own sorrow In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow How I hate to see you like this There is no way you can deny it I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet Chiquitita, tell me the truth I'm a shoulder you can cry on Your best friend, I'm the one you must rely on You were always sure of yourself Now I see you've broken a feather I hope we can patch it up...
Chiquitita, dime por qué Tu dolor hoy te encadena En tus ojos hay una sombra de gran pena No quisiera verte asi Aunque quieras disimularlo Si es que tan triste estás Para qué quieres callarlo Chiquitita, dimelo tú En mi hombro aquí llorando Cuenta conmigo ya Para así seguir andando Tan segura te conocí Y ahora tu ala quebrada (Que vacio me duele verte llorar) Déjamela arreglar Yo la quiero ver curada Chiquitita, sabes muy bien Que las penas vienen y van y desaparecen Otra vez vas a bailar y serás feliz Como flores que florecen Chiquitita, no hay que llorar Las estrellas brillan por ti allá en lo alto Quiero verte sonreir para compartir Tu alegria, Chiquitita Otra vez quiero compartir Tu alegria, Chiquitita Chiquitita, dime por qué Tu dolor hoy te encaden...
ABBA cantando en español la cancion Chiquitita
Stephen Gately, one of the leading lights of the Irish pop group Boyzone, died tragically in 2009. Ten years earlier, at the age of 23, he contributed this beautifully sung number to a CD entitled "Abbamania" that featured assorted British goups and solo artists. It was followed by a televised studio programme in which they all repeated their contributions, so here is Stephen in "Chiquitita."
Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong
You're enchained by your own sorrow
In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow
How I hate to see you like this
There is no way you can deny it, I know
I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet
Chiquitita, you and I know
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita