Beginning her career in 1975 as lead vocalist for the then exclusively Spanish-language band, Miami Sound Machine, before crossing over to mainstream pop success with the international hit singles "Dr. Beat" (1984) and "Conga" (1986), Estefan emerged as one of the biggest new stars in the mid-'80s, predating the still nascent Latin pop explosion by a decade, and scoring a series of propulsive dance hits rooted in the rhythms of her native Cuba, before shifting her focus to softer, more ballad-oriented fare.
Born in Havana, Cuba, the young Gloria Fajardo was raised primarily in Miami, FL, after her father, a bodyguard of Cuban president Fulgencio Batista, was forced to flee the island following the 1959 coup helmed by Fidel Castro. In the fall of 1975, Fajardo and her cousin Merci Murciano auditioned for the Miami Latin Boys, a local wedding band headed by keyboardist Emilio Estefan. With their addition, the group was rechristened Miami Sound Machine and four years later, Fajardo and Estefan were wed. As Miami Sound Machine began composing their own original material, their fusion of pop, disco, and salsa earned a devoted local following, and in 1979 the group issued their first Spanish-language LP on CBS International. Despite a growing Hispanic fan base, they did not cross over to non-Latin audiences until "Dr. Beat" topped European dance charts in 1984.
With 1985's Primitive Love, Miami Sound Machine recorded their first English-language effort, scoring three Top Ten pop hits in the U.S. alone with the infectious "Conga", "Bad Boy", and "Words Get in the Way". Following 1987's triple-platinum Let It Loose, Estefan took top billing and the group changed its name to Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine in 1988, reeling off four Top Ten hits - "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You", "Can't Stay Away from You", the chart-topping "Anything for You", and "1-2-3". 1989's Cuts Both Ways was credited to Estefan alone and generated her second #1 hit, "Don't Wanna Lose You". However, on March 20, 1990, while touring in support of the album, her bus was struck by a tractor trailer. Estefan suffered a broken vertebra that required extensive surgery and kept her off the road for over a year. Her husband Emilio and the couple's son were injured in the crash as well, but all three recovered. Estefan resurfaced in 1991 with Into the Light, again topping the charts with "Coming Out of the Dark", a single inspired by her near-fatal accident. Two more cuts from the album, "Can't Forget You" and "Live for Loving You", secured her foothold on the adult contemporary charts.
With 1993's Mi Tierra, Estefan returned to her roots, recording her first Spanish-language record in nearly a decade and earning a Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album; on the follow-up 1994 covers collection, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, she also recalled her dance-pop origins with a rendition of the Vicki Sue Robinson disco classic, "Turn the Beat Around". Another all-Spanish effort, Abriendo Puertas (1995), earned her a Grammy as well, while Destiny featured "Reach", named the official theme of the 1996 Summer Olympics. As Latin pop made new commercial headway, thanks to the efforts of acts like Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias, Estefan reigned as the most successful crossover artist in Latin music history, with international record sales close to the 50 million mark. In 1999, she also made her feature film debut alongside Meryl Streep in Music of the Heart, recording the film's title song as a duet with *NSYNC, and scoring both a massive pop hit and an Oscar nomination in the process. A new Spanish-language album, Alma Caribeña, followed in the spring of 2000. Several months later, Estefan was awarded a Grammy for Best Music Video for "No Me Dehes de Querer" at the inaugural annual Latin Grammy Awards. Her husband, Emilio, won for Producer of the Year. - Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Appearances and tours
In April 2004, Estefan appeared on the Fox Broadcasting Company’s program, American Idol, but declined an offer to be an official judge, saying she did not like to “judge” others.
On July 28, 2004, in a press conference hosted by Donald Trump at the Trump Tower, Estefan announced that her then-upcoming tour would be her final one. The Live and Re-Wrapped Summer/Fall 2004 Tour, her first tour in eight years was produced by Clear Channel Entertainment. The tour featured Estefan’s greatest hits, along with new material from Unwrapped.
In December 2006, Estefan appeared as a special guest singer on the UK talent show The X Factor.
Gloria's 11th studio album,Miss Little Havana. The Miss Little Havana Songfacts says that the first nine tracks tells the tale of a young girl who hooks up with the wrong guy in Miami after moving there from Cuba. All of these tracks were written or co-written by Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes. It is described by Estefan as a project in the vein of her 1998 hit album gloria!.
Songfacts reports that "Hotel Nacional" debuted at #1 on Billboard's Latin countdown - the first time a female artist had achieved that feat since the chart was introduced in 1986. Both "Wepa" and "Hotel Nacional" achieved number one on Billboard Latin Songs and on Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs.
Estefan started a reality show called The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep opposite Joe Jonas, Nelly and John Rich on the CW Network, where she, and the other three mentors are searched for the next big star, to record an album with Atlantic Records. Unlike other music reality shows, in this program, the mentors selected the "candidates" for the show, and trained them for a live performance, where they'd be voted for the best act of the day. The first season ended in October 2012, with musician Michael Ray, as the big finalist.
This same year, Estefan appeared as a musical guest in Tony Bennett's compilation of duets with Latin-American musicians, Viva Duets with a rendition of the song, "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)". Weeks later, she helped the American version of Teleton, releasing the charity single "Por Un Mundo Mejor" along with Mexican singer Lucero, Dominican rapper El Cata and Mexican pop band, Reik. A video for the song was shot, with them recording the song, which was marked as the official hymn for the foundation.
In May 2013, she appears doing another duet with the song "Think I'm In Love Again" as part of the albums Duets released by Paul Anka.
Estefan has announced she was working on a new album of covers, The Standards, released in September 2013. The album will feature some collaborations with artists like Laura Pausini, Dave Koz and Joshua Bell, and the selection of songs are mostly songs from the Great American songbook. Estefan released the first single, "How Long Has This Been Going On?", digitally on Amazon and iTunes on July 9, 2013
Official website: http://www.gloriaestefan.com
Music of My Heart
Gloria Estefan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you've done for me
What your faith in me
Has done for my soul
And you'll never know the gift you've given me
I'll carry it with me
Yeah yeah
You made me hope for something better (yes you did)
And made me reach for something more
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
Helped me to free the me inside
Helped me hear the music of my heart
Helped me hear the music of my heart
You opened my eyes
You opened the door
To something I'd never known before
And your love (love)
Is the music of my heart (music of my heart)
You were the one
Always on my side (always on my side)
Always standing by (always standing by)
Seeing me through
You were the song that always made me sing
I'm singing this for you (singing this for you baby)
Everywhere I go I'll think of where I've been (think of where I've been)
And you're the one who knew me better than anyone ever will again
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
Helped me to free the me inside
Helped me hear the music of my heart
Helped me hear the music of my heart
You opened my eyes
You opened the door (you opened the door)
To something I'd never known before (oh oh)
And your love (your love)
Is the music of my heart
What you taught me
Only your love could ever teach me
You got through when no one else could reach me (baby oh oh oh)
'Cause you always saw in me
All the best that I could be
It was you who set me free
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
Helped me to free the me inside (me inside)
Helped me hear the music of my heart
Helped me hear the music of my heart
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
Helped me to free the me inside (me inside)
Helped me hear the music of my heart (music of my heart)
Helped me hear the music of my heart (yeah yeah)
You opened my eyes
You opened the door (opened the door)
To something I'd never known before (never, never, never felt before)
And your love
Is the music of my heart
The music of my heart
Music of my heart
Is the music of my heart
The lyrics to Gloria Estefan and *NSYNC's "Music of my Heart" are an ode to someone who has made a profound impact on their life. The song alludes to the fact that this person may never know just how much they have changed them for the better. The singer acknowledges that this person's faith in them has had a profound impact on their soul, giving them a gift that they will always carry with them. The lyrics express a deep sense of gratitude, with the singer reflecting on how this person has helped them to hope for something better and to reach for something more.
The lyrics speak to the power of love to open doors and to help people see things they may never have seen before. This person has been a constant source of support and encouragement, standing by the singer's side through thick and thin. They have helped the singer to find their true self and to hear the music of their heart. The song is a testament to the fact that this person has helped the singer to grow and to become the best possible version of themselves.
Overall, "Music of my Heart" is a powerful tribute to the role that one person can play in another person's life. The lyrics are deeply emotional and speak to the impact that love and support can have on a person's growth and development. The song is an acknowledgement that sometimes the people who impact us the most may never know just how much they mean to us.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll never know
The singer expresses gratitude for an unnamed person and acknowledges that they will never fully be able to understand the positive impact this person has had on their life.
What you've done for me
The singer is referring to the positive influence the unnamed person has had on their life.
What your faith in me
The singer acknowledges that the unnamed person had faith in them and believed in their abilities.
Has done for my soul
The artist suggests that the faith the unnamed person had in them has positively affected their soul.
And you'll never know the gift you've given me
The artist suggests that the positive impact this person has had on their life is immeasurable and cannot be fully expressed.
I'll carry it with me
The singer will carry the memory of the positive influence this person had on their life with them always.
Through the days ahead I'll think of days before
The singer anticipates that they will carry memories of the positive influence this person had on their life into the future.
You made me hope for something better (yes you did)
The artist acknowledges that the unnamed person inspired them to hope for a better life or future.
And made me reach for something more
The artist suggests that the unnamed person inspired them to strive for more in life or to achieve their goals.
You taught me to run
The artist suggests that the unnamed person taught them to face challenges head-on with determination and perseverance, like a runner in a race.
You taught me to fly
The singer suggests that the unnamed person taught them to rise above their circumstances or obstacles in life, like a bird taking flight.
Helped me to free the me inside
The artist acknowledges that the unnamed person helped them to discover their true self or to be who they were meant to be.
Helped me hear the music of my heart
The singer suggests that the unnamed person helped them to discover their passions or to find joy in life, like music that resonates with the heart.
You opened my eyes
The singer suggests that the unnamed person helped them to see the world in a new or positive light.
You opened the door
The singer suggests that the unnamed person made opportunities or possibilities available to them, like opening a door to a new room or space.
To something I'd never known before
The artist suggests that the unnamed person helped them to experience something new or unfamiliar in life.
And your love (love)
The artist recognizes that the positive influence of the unnamed person is rooted in their love.
Is the music of my heart (music of my heart)
The singer suggests that the unnamed person's love is like music that resonates deeply within their heart.
You were the one
The singer affectionately addresses the unnamed person, recognizing them as someone special.
Always on my side (always on my side)
The artist acknowledges that the unnamed person was always there for them and supported them no matter what.
Always standing by (always standing by)
The artist acknowledges that the unnamed person was always there for them and stood with them through thick and thin.
Seeing me through
The artist suggests that the unnamed person helped them to overcome difficulties or obstacles in life.
You were the song that always made me sing
The singer suggests that the unnamed person brought joy and happiness to their life, like a song that one cannot help but sing along to.
I'm singing this for you (singing this for you baby)
The artist suggests that the song they are singing is a tribute to the unnamed person and a way to express their gratitude and love.
Everywhere I go I'll think of where I've been (think of where I've been)
The singer acknowledges that they will carry their memories and experiences with them as they move forward in life.
And you're the one who knew me better than anyone ever will again
The singer suggests that the unnamed person knew them deeply and intimately and that their relationship cannot be replicated by anyone else.
What you taught me
The singer acknowledges that the unnamed person taught them valuable lessons or skills that have positively affected their life.
Only your love could ever teach me
The artist suggests that the unnamed person's love was instrumental in teaching them those lessons or skills.
You got through when no one else could reach me (baby oh oh oh)
The artist suggests that the unnamed person was able to connect with them on a deep level when no one else could.
'Cause you always saw in me
The singer suggests that the unnamed person always had faith in them and saw their potential, even when they did not.
All the best that I could be
The singer acknowledges that the unnamed person helped them to recognize and achieve their full potential in life.
It was you who set me free
The artist acknowledges that the unnamed person helped them to break free from negative or limiting beliefs or circumstances.
Helped me hear the music of my heart (music of my heart)
The artist suggests that the unnamed person helped them to rediscover their passions or to find joy in life, like music that resonates with the heart.
The music of my heart
The artist acknowledges that the positive influence of the unnamed person is part of who they are and will stay with them always.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Realsongs
Written by: Diane Eve Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@snowyaa2594
You'll never know
What you've done for me
What your faith in me
Has done for my soul (echo)
And you'll never know the gift you've given me
I'll carry it with me
Yeah ee yeah
Through the days ahead I'll think of days before (mm hmm)
You made me hope for something better (yes you did)
And made me reach for something more
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
Helped me to free the me inside
Helped me hear the music of my heart
Helped me hear the music of my heart
You opened my eyes
You opened the door
To something I'd never known before
And your love (love)
Is the music of my heart (music of my heart)
You were the one
Always on my side (always on my side)
Always standing by (always standing by)
Seeing me through
You were the song that always made me sing
I'm singing this for you (singing this for you baby)
Everywhere I go I'll think of where I've been (think of where I've been)
And you're the one who knew me better than anyone ever will again (? )
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
Helped me to free the me inside (siiidee)
Helped me hear the music of my heart
Helped me hear the music of my heart (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
You opened my eyes
You opened the door (you opened the door)
To something I'd never known before (ohh ohhhhh)
And your love (your love)
Is the music of my heart (music of my heart)
What you taught me
Only your love could ever teach me
You got through when no one else could reach me (baby ohhh ohhh ohhh)
'Cause you always saw in me
All the best that I could be
It was you who set me free
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
Helped me to free the me inside (me inside)
Helped me hear the music of my heart
Helped me hear the music of my heart
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
Helped me to free the me inside (me inside)
Helped me hear the music of my heart (music of my heart)
Helped me hear the music of my heart (yeah ah yeah)
You opened my eyes
You opened the door (opened the door)
To something I'd never known before (never, never, never felt before)
And your love
Is the music of my heart
The music of my heart
Music of my heart
Is the music of my heart
@lydhprk86
JC Chasez is so underrated. He deserves more credit for his voice
@nadinemode1451
Since Mickey Mouse club. He's golden. So gifted but underrated
@x10000firefliesx
I love his voice more than Justin's whose just too high pitched for me.
@tinaf.6797
Agreed! And his passion for music is super genuine!
@sammypooh9646
agreed 100 damn percent
@Kurniawan_BS
JC ❤️❤️❤️
@nuriasabah5545
Still listening this beautiful song in 2023. The moment JC starts singing, any song becomes more amazing.❤️❤️❤️
@user-wc7op4sk2j
😊😊😊 волшебный мир! Дуэт ❤❤❤❤. Сама нежность!. Бес пафоса¡. Подобного нет!!
@user-wc7op4sk2j
Это прекрасно!!❤❤❤❤ Без фальша!. Будто бы сами ангелы писали эту песню!!?😅😅😊😊
@TheGoldenHawaiianSwordsmanDrag
Who still jams to this in early March 2024?