“One of my fondest memories
of the California Girl collection
is throwing a rough vocal
on ‘Cuando calienta el sol’ in the booth,
with Derol Caraco
playing guitar in the studio,
and having it come out well enough
for the release!
Who’da thunk it.”
Written by brothers Carlos and Mario Rigual, “Cuando calienta el sol” was popularized internationally in 1962 by their vocal group with third sibling Pedro: Los Hermanos Rigual.
There would be almost 500 different interpretations globally by 1964 (according to Cash Box), including English language versions as “Love Me With All Your Heart.”
“The English version does not
even come close
to the Spanish.
It’s a completely different song.”
“Cuando calienta el sol
Aquí en la playa
Siento tu cuerpo vibrar
Cerca de mi
Es tu palpitar
Es tu cara
Es tu pelo
Son tus besos
Me estremezco
Oh, oh, oh”
“The lyrics talk about
how when the sun is hot on the beach,
passions rise and
‘I’ can get delirious with desire…
…wanting ‘your’ arms around me
and so forth.
It’s a very sexy song.
But then, making out on the beach
is always sexy –
if I remember correctly.”