Source Material: Jeanette – “Porque Te Vas”

Jeanette is a Spanish singer who was originally from London, England.  She grew up in Chicago, Illinois and La Habra, California, but she moved to Barcelona, Spain as a teenager.  While in Barcelona, Jeanette learned how to play the guitar, and she started writing her own music.  In the late ’60s, she joined the Spanish folk band Brenner’s Folk, and she became the lead singer.  A few years later, they met Rafael Turia, a radio commentator who became their band manager.  He brought Brenner’s Folk to Hispavox, a Madrid-based label, and helped them sign a record deal.  Upon signing, they changed their name to Pic-Nic. In 1967, Pic-Nic released their debut single, “Cállate Niña.”  It was their biggest hit, but shortly after, Pic-Nic broke up.  Jeanette’s mother forced her to leave the band because she was missing school, and there were bandmates who didn’t agree with the direction of the band.

In the ’70s, Jeanette went solo.  Her solo career started off with a bang, she released her debut single, “Soy Rebelde” in 1971.  It established Jeanette as a romantic singer, which was a departure from her folk singing roots.  Three years later, she released “Porque Te Vas,” and the impact of her romantic ballads continued to grow.  In 1976, Carlos Saura, a Spanish film director, included “Porque Te Vas” in his Cannes award winning film, Cría Cuervos.  The film helped “Porque Te Vas” spread even further.  By the end of the ’70s, “Porque Te Vas” was Jeanette’s biggest international hit.

Jeanette – “Porque Te Vas”