El Preso
1975 single by Fruko y sus Tesos
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"El Preso" (translation "the prisoner") is a song recorded by Fruko y sus Tesos. It was released in 1975 with vocals by Wilson Saoko.[1] The song was composed by the band's percussionist Álvaro Velásquez.[2][3]
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| "El Preso" | |
|---|---|
| |
| Single by Fruko y sus Tesos | |
| Released | 1975 |
| Genre | Salsa |
| Songwriter | Álvaro Velásquez |
The lyrics are the narration of a prisoner ("preso") serving 30 years.[4] The actual inspiration for songwriter Velásquez was a friend's letter describing another friend's pain being jailed for 30 years on a drug charge.[5] In an interview, Julio Ernesto Estrada (aka Fruko) said it "became a world anthem of salsa music".[5]
Radio Nacional de Colombia also called the song a "universal hymn of salsa."[6]
The song has also been recognized as one of the greatest Colombian songs of all time by multiple media sources:
- In its list of the ten most iconic Colombian songs, El Nuevo Siglo, rated La Pollera Colorá at No. 10.[7]
- It was selected by Hip Latina in 2017 as one of the "13 Old School Songs Every Colombian Grew Up Listening To"; the publication wrote that "the infectious beat will have you dancing quite freely."[8]
- In its list of the 50 best Colombian songs of all time, El Tiempo, Colombia's most widely circulated newspaper, ranked the song at No. 41.[9]
- It was selected by Billboard in 2018 as one of the "15 Best Salsa Songs Ever".[10]