In 1960, he started in music with Gibraltarian band 'The Diamond Boys', which had no real commercial success, but played a part in Spain's introduction to popular music.In 1966 Hammond co-founded the British vocal group The Family Dogg, scoring a UK Top 10 hit with "A Way of Life" in 1969. He is probably best known for his early 70s hits "It Never Rains In Southern California" and 'Free Electric Band' - but he went on to write countless hits for other artists such as Madonna and Leo Sayer. In 1987, Hammond's composition with Diane Warren "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (recorded by Jefferson Starship) was nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy. In 1988, Hammond won an Emmy Award for the song "One Moment in Time", a song he wrote along with John Bettis. In 2008, Hammond was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is immortalised in song by Half Man Half Biscuit in their 1986 track "Albert Hammond Bootleg".
His son, Albert Hammond, Jr., is a guitarist in The Strokes.
More info: www.alberthammond.net
Dame Un Beso
Albert Hammond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que tus amantes brazos no han de estrecharme
Y yo he soñado anoche que me querías
Y aunque después me muera quiero besarte
Dame un beso y olvida que has besado
Yo te ofrezco la vida si me la pides
Y si llego a besarte como he soñado
Ha de ser imposible que tu me olvides
Se que con tus caricias podré quedarme
Porque he soñado anoche que me querías
Y aunque después me muera quiero besarte
Dame un beso y olvida que me has besado
Yo te ofrezco la vida si me la pides
Y si llego a besarte como he soñado
Ha de ser imposible que tu me olvides
Dame un beso y olvida que me has besado
Yo te ofrezco la vida si me la pides
Y si llego a besarte como he soñado
Ha de ser imposible que tu me olvides
In "Dame Un Beso," Albert Hammond sings about his desire for a kiss from a woman who has, according to others, given her affections elsewhere. Despite this, the singer argues that he has dreamt of her love and wishes to take the chance to show his own affection. He offers everything he has, including his life, in exchange for a single kiss, claiming that if he gets to kiss her as he has dreamt of, it would be impossible for her to forget him. The lyrics are emotional and expressive, conveying the intensity of the singer's desire.
The song's message is relatively straightforward, and the lyrics are easy to understand, but what makes the song so poignant is the way Hammond sings them. He has a voice that conveys a lot of emotion, and he sings with depth and feeling, striking a chord with listeners. The lyrics, therefore, become more than just words; they become a representation of an intense feeling that many can relate to.
Hammond's "Dame Un Beso" has been recognized as a classic of Latin pop, resonating with people in different parts of the world who have shared similar experiences of unrequited love. The song has been covered by various artists, including Julio Iglesias and Vicente Fernandez, and has been used in films such as "Little Nicky" and "Licence to Kill."
Line by Line Meaning
Dicen que tus caricias no han de ser mías
People say that your caresses will not be mine.
Que tus amantes brazos no han de estrecharme
That your lover's arms will not embrace me.
Y yo he soñado anoche que me querías
But last night, I dreamed that you loved me.
Y aunque después me muera quiero besarte
And even if I die afterwards, I still want to kiss you.
Dame un beso y olvida que has besado
Give me a kiss and forget that you have kissed before.
Yo te ofrezco la vida si me la pides
I offer you my life if you ask for it.
Y si llego a besarte como he soñado
And if I can kiss you the way I dreamed of,
Ha de ser imposible que tu me olvides
It will be impossible for you to forget me.
Se que tendré tus labios y tu alegría
I know that I will have your lips and your joy.
Se que con tus caricias podré quedarme
I know that I can stay with your caresses.
Porque he soñado anoche que me querías
Because I dreamed last night that you loved me.
Dame un beso y olvida que me has besado
Give me a kiss and forget that you have kissed me before.
Yo te ofrezco la vida si me la pides
I offer you my life if you ask for it.
Y si llego a besarte como he soñado
And if I can kiss you the way I dreamed of,
Ha de ser imposible que tu me olvides
It will be impossible for you to forget me.
Dame un beso y olvida que me has besado
Give me a kiss and forget that you have kissed me before.
Yo te ofrezco la vida si me la pides
I offer you my life if you ask for it.
Y si llego a besarte como he soñado
And if I can kiss you the way I dreamed of,
Ha de ser imposible que tu me olvides
It will be impossible for you to forget me.
Writer(s): Luis Casas Romero
Contributed by Alexis F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.