Sabor a mí was written in 1959 by the Mexican agricultural engineer and songwriter Álvaro Carillo Alarcón (1921-1969).

Sabor a mí (1959)

Tanto tiempo disfrutamos de este amor
Nuestras almas se acercaron tanto así
Que yo guardo tu sabor
Pero tú llevas también
Sabor a mí.

Si negaras mi presencia en tu vivir
Bastaría con abrazarte y conversar
Tanta vida yo te di
Que por fuerza tienes ya
Sabor a mí.

No pretendo ser tu dueño
No soy nada yo no tengo vanidad
De mi vida doy lo bueno
Soy tan pobre, ¿qué otra cosa puedo dar?

Pasarán más de mil años, muchos más
Yo no sé si tenga amor la eternidad
Pero allá, tal como aquí
En la boca llevarás
Sabor a mí.

A Taste of Me
(a translation of Álvaro Carillo’s lyrics for Sabor a mí)

We had spent so much time savoring our love,
Our souls came so close together and yet stayed free,
Tasting still how you would love,
As you too must also have
A taste of me.

If you now negate my presence from your life,
Hugs and conversation now and then’s alright.
I know you have come to be
Infused indelibly with
A taste of me.

Not pretending that I own you,
I am nothing, and I have no vanity.
Giving what good in life I do,
As I’m so poor what else do I have to give you?

A thousand years must pass at least, and even more,
I do not know if love is in eternity,
Whether there or here where you may be
Your lips will always savor
A taste of me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Álvaro Carrillo (1960s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGhcaT1HSM
[The composer sings his song, accompanying himself on the guitar (a sound recording). Completely endearing.]

Alvaro Carrillo: Amor mio, Un poco mas, Sabor a mí (1960s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH_jng60ewU
[A video of a TV show with Álvaro Carillo performing a medley of three of his own compositions, accompanying himself on guitar. Absolutely precious.]

Eydie Gormé & Trio Los Panchos (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yVQeLirfIg
[Eydie Gormé’s biggest hit, and the recording of Sabor a mí that brought the song into popular consciousness worldwide. This particular posting of the recording has good stereo sound, and video of Eydie singing; also extensive notes on Eydie. Eydie’s big, sunny and warm singing style blends perfectly with the refined ensemble guitar playing (and singing) by Los Panchos, to produce an irresistible rendition of Sabor a mí. It is both of its time and ageless.]

Gustavo “Pájaro” Ogara & Ximena Bedó (2013)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji3k7rsVW8A
[One guitarist and one singer, perfection in its simplicity, sencillo y así puro. Very nice guitar playing by Gustavo “Pájaro” Ogara, and very nice singing by Ximena Bedó.]

Cover Estereo Son (2012)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11SvEFdXZEc
[I like this trio of young musicians: Voz – Karen Mondragón, Bajo – Wilfredo Vinasco, Synth – Jhonatan Herrera. Karen’s singing is expressive, honeyed and brisk (contralto?). Both Wilfredo and Jhonatan are very adept at their instruments. The group produces a unified uncluttered sound that moves gracefully through their performances: modern (youthful enthusiasm in a streamlined format), warm, moving and polished. I wish them success. I liked their Lágrimas Negras, which is how I first heard them.]

Guadalupe Pineda (1980s-2000s?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45gHIZFcEdI
[A refined production, large though graceful, framing Guadalupe’s bell-like tones.]

Javier Solis (1960s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jBvVwR8_Tw
[El rey del bolero ranchero. Silky smooth and sentimental.]

Los Lobos (1990s-2000s?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU-LeccqS48
[“Just another band from East L.A.” But one of the best. This performance is both solid and elegant; urban, unpretentious, sincere and aware of its roots. Sabor a mí is a guitar player’s delight.]

Classico Latino (2012)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bAcvnd29e0
[Performed at the Teatro Colsubsidio in Bogotá, Colombia, June 2012. Elegant and polished, with piano, violin, cello, conga drums, guitar and electric bass, all backing soprano Eirini Tornesaki.]

Beatriz Marquez (2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBfmsqtI9Lo
[Beatriz Marquez, a long-established Cuban singer from a musical family (at least 3 generations), plays the piano as she sings Sabor a mí, accompanied by guitar and percussion. A live performance at an Italian restaurant in Cuba, captured on video by a tourist.]

Manoella Torres (1980s-2000s?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiF4hsKlYWk
[A soft velvety rendition, something for an evening on the Riviera in tux and gowns. Born in New York City of Puerto Rican parents, Manoella Torres moved to Mexico as a child and lives there still. She was first recorded for discs in 1966, as a twelve-year old. In 1971, she signed with Columbia Records, and launched the career that continues today.]

Maridalia Hernandez (1980s?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhKM1DNTQik
[Smooth melodious alto (?) from Santo Domingo, in a gently lush production.]

Laura Fygi (1990s-2000s?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeDC3xyerQA
[A beautiful rendition, slow silky smooth sensuousness without sloppiness, but a bit of crackle on the sound recording.]

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