Julio Iglesias, Jr. – “The Way I Want You”
You knew it was coming–the winner of Gone Country was bound to release the promised single and it has arrived. Julio Iglesias, Jr. was the winner and judging by comments made by the show’s judge, John Rich, he was chosen based on his ethnicity and sex appeal. If Rich had listened to a little more Bruce Robison, he might have picked up some sage advice from “What Would Willie Do” when he Robison sings, “Hell he even had a hit country song with Julio Iglesias / And that ain’t easy to do…” Don’t let the show’s name fool you, though; there isn’t anything country about “The Way I Want You.”
Rich and company want to expand country music into the hispanic demographic to pull in a few extra bucks and Iglesias delivered exactly what they wanted with a sappy, bilingual song that has him slipping into Spanish for a verse. It sounds like he’s trying to suppress his accent throughout as he whispers the lyrics, cutting notes short in the process, and the steel guitar is out of place as it flutters in and out between the Latin flavored drums and piano.
I wouldn’t be suprised if this single is a do or die situation with Iglesias’ future depending on the response of radio and the hispanic audience. It’s a test case of sorts to find out what will and what won’t pass and just how much of this crap country radio will actually ingest before they push back. The song would make for a decent record, but country it ain’t. Now go listen to Lefty Frizzell, “I Love You A Thousand Ways” to cleanse yourself.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to subscribe to our feed or receive updates via email.
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
Is Dave Haywood going solo? This and many other of country music's most pressing questions answered in the September edition of The 9513's world famous Mailbag!
Caroline Herring likes to sing songs about life in the South. No, not exactly like Justin Moore and Jason Aldean...
The 9513's resident historian Paul W. Dennis sits down for a chat with country music legend Gene Watson.
As much as we love girl singers, we love songs about girl singers even more. Here's just a few of the many tribute songs out there.
Step away from the river and up to a jukebox, because heartbreak is only temporary, but a good song about drowning yourself—like a diamond—lasts forever.
What do you think about music labels "testing the waters" with a single before providing access to an artist's entire album? 
What country artist, young or old, would you recommend as a must-listen artist to a newcomer on his/her journey through country music, and what would your essential song picks be?Tagged In This Article
Bruce Robison // John Rich // Julio Iglesias Jr. // Lefty Frizzell // Single Review
Current Discussion
- Rick: Ashley Monroe, Sunny Sweeney, Elizabeth Cook, Megan Mullins, The Wrights, Amber Dotson, Lane Turner, Amy Dalley, Susan Haynes, The Jenkins, ...
- Jo Jo: Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire
- highwayman3: George Strait, Reba, and Lee Ann Womack, oh wait, that's already happening, too bad they aren't coming anywhere near driving ...
- Mayor JoBob: Or Alan Jackson, Rodney Crowell and Marty Stuart with guest appearance by Jimmy Buffett!
- JCH: Jamey Johnson, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. No idea where the heck that came from.
- Mayor JoBob: Brad Paisley, David Ball and Highway 101!!!!!!
- Noeller: Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Eric Church and Zac Brown Band. It's the Bearded Saviours of Country Tour - would ...
- Sparkles: OMG - have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYENOUcaAsM I LOVE DOLLY!!!!
- Ben Milam: On three alternating stages: the pogues mahone, steve earle, eric b. & rakim, the band, emmylou harris, the drive by ...
- Bob: Suzy Bogguss and Hal Ketchum
24 Comments
RSS for comments on this post | Trackback URI for this post
March 11, 2008 at 3:55 pm Permalink
I was so horrified by this song that I couldn’t bring myself to review it at country universe. Everything you said was true!
March 11, 2008 at 9:10 pm Permalink
This was very sad. Julio seems like a nice kid, but I just don’t get the Latin whisper singing.
The show had some interesting moments, but picking Julio seemed very manipulative. I don’t care how much sex appeal he has (which he does.)
My son asked me who I thought should have one, and quite honestly, Bobby Brown was clearly the one that grew the most, and hit the mark. Sisquo and Dianna DeGarmo would tie for second (although Dianna is making herself look old with that hair color.
March 11, 2008 at 11:41 pm Permalink
I THINK THAT IF THE WHOLE IDEA WAS TO TARGET THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, THEN THE WHOLE SHOW SHOULD HAVE BEEN HISPANIC ORIGIN. HISPANIC TALENT DUKING IT OUT FOR THE CROWN. TO TARGET A CERTAIN GENRE’ IS CLEARLY WHAT JOHN WAS DOING, AND GOT THE HOPES UP FOR PEOPLE THAT CLEARLY DO NOT MATCH THAT CRITERIA.(SPANISH) WHAT A WASTE OF THEIR TIME, JOHN. I THINK THAT JOHN RICH CHANGED HIS MIND MIDSTREAM ABOUT WHAT HE WAS REALLY LOOKING FOR. A LITTLE CONFUSING TO SAY THE LEAST. HE SHOULD HAVE HAD THE SHOW NAMED “GONE SPANISH”. THEN WE WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD. THERE WERE CLEARLY PEOPLE INVOLVED THAT DID INDEED “GO COUNTRY”, AND MY HAT IS OFF TO THEM!!!! KUDOS!!! AND GOOD LUCK JULIO, YOU HAVE SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL, RE: JULIO IGLESIAS, SENIOR!
March 12, 2008 at 12:24 am Permalink
I try to avoid anything that’s been tainted by John Rich, so ignoring this song will come naturally.
The idea of targeting the rapidly expanding Latino market makes economic sense, but there are cultural divides that won’t be hurdled just by offering Latino country artists. Rick Trevino is extremely talented and has done the bilingual lyrics switch pioneered by Freddy Fender in “Before The Last Teardrop Falls”. Rick’s career should be revived by country radio if they want more Latino listeners, just as they are trying to do with Star De Azlan. Bringing an extremely popular Latin pop singer onboard at country radio just dilutes its “countryness” even further, and that just plain sucks….
Latinos make up a large percentage of the population here in Los Angeles and when I attend country concerts the Latinos make up a miniscule portion of the audience. I think there might be a perception that country music is for white rednecks and Latinos aren’t welcome. Either that or they just plain don’t like the music, and when it comes to Top 40 country these days I can’t say I blame them…..
March 12, 2008 at 1:23 am Permalink
Does someone who is familiar with the Texas music scene know if country music is popular with the Latino community there? It’s not in California, but Texas is different. I know the Dixie Chicks have indicated in the past that the Latino community in Texas does appreciate country music and definitely make up their largest minority fanbase.
Here was an article on the topic that came out last year:
http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1566290/20070803/black_clint.jhtml
March 12, 2008 at 2:27 am Permalink
As Buddy Jewell would say, this ain’t Mexico.
March 12, 2008 at 6:07 am Permalink
Sadly, I took time out of my life to watch his video for this song and it was AWFUL. (There goes a few minutes I’ll never get back . . . ) Not only was the song lyrically terrible but his “performance?” of the song left much to be desired. I think he’ll be a big hit among those female county fans whose idea of talent is based on how CUTE you are.
March 12, 2008 at 6:31 am Permalink
I gotta admit, it’s kinda ironic that Music Row is trying so hard to appeal to middle aged, conservative women AND trying to appeal to the hispanic community with a song that has a verse that consists entirely of Spanish. You almost couldnt make it up if it werent true.
March 12, 2008 at 7:40 am Permalink
Like I said in another comment on this site, I was amazed, confused and driven to laughter at John Rich’s insistence time and time again that Country music was about all things honest, heartfelt and about real people with real issues. He also time and time again preached to the contestants that if they didnt connect with “country people’s” values, then they wouldnt connect with a “country audience”. All of that was eschewed with the screaming of teeny-boppers and middle-age victims of hair dye and divorce.
March 12, 2008 at 8:12 am Permalink
That Bobby Brown song on “Gone Country” should’ve won. I don’t think it would’ve done anything, like this one won’t. Actually, JR should’ve picked Diana DeGarmo if he really wanted to ‘cash in’ at the moment since she’s not much different from Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift.
March 12, 2008 at 8:24 am Permalink
Diana DeGarmo wouldnt “cash-in”, in my opinion. She is much different from the females you mentioned. Not only in the looks department, but her voice requires a lot more work and manipulation to sound as country as even Underwood and Swift do (which is saying a ton, since I dont think they sound anywhere near prototypical country). I also can’t help but assume that most fans see this as a joke or novelty. All of the contestants enjoyed some peiod of success and notoriety except for DeGarmo. Once the couple of months worth of America Idol episodes was over, so was her relevance. Given the fact that this is a sad, last-gasp, B-listers attempt at carpet bagging, I doubt any of the songs would create a huge splash.
March 12, 2008 at 8:51 am Permalink
Is this all a joke?? Was Gone Country a dream? My answer is I HOPE SO!!
March 12, 2008 at 1:48 pm Permalink
I’m amazed they didn’t try to get Gary LeVox to backup vocals. Or that they didn’t pitch this song (sans Spanish) to Rascal Flatts first.
March 12, 2008 at 4:34 pm Permalink
I am very sorry for country music if this is a sign of the product it is passing off! As a gay man I offended by the idea that any pretty face can make a recording,create a marketing image, and be promoted( does the industry really think I think with my little head that much or that teenage girls are that dumb that they will just spend money on anyone).Is the country business so greedy that it really believes that the Hispanic community, or any community would buy that crap. Freddy Fender or Rick Trevino are examples of the true influence of the Hispanic culture on country music. Country- Westren music owes too great a debt the Hispanic community to insult it for a quick and cheap buck. John Rich- he is worst for country music than Shania Twain and Garth Brooks.
March 12, 2008 at 6:04 pm Permalink
I wouldn’t go that far. There’s quite a bit that he’s done good for country — if there’s any justice in the world, Julio will just have as much success as any other country-reality-show person has had. After all, Miranda Lambert’s the only person to come out of the country reality genre, and even she’s been slow to be accepted by radio.
March 13, 2008 at 8:41 am Permalink
Come on y’all! This song isn’t that bad; it’s just not for mainstream country music. Besides, the song does serve a purpose … a good laugh.
March 13, 2008 at 2:23 pm Permalink
Personally, I love the song. I like him too. No he isn’t country, but truly on that show, who was?
Y’all would have been causing a ruckus too if Bobby Brown won and ect… each for a different reason. So for right now, no the song isn’t country but it truly is a great song.
March 13, 2008 at 2:48 pm Permalink
I agree with Brandi,the song is great and so was he. I agree that it was not your typical country song, but the reality is that there are many songs and artist out there who have there own sound and presentation and do just fine. I think its true that no matter who won,there would be a ruckus because we all have different opinions.I am a latina and I love country music,what I love the most about it is the realness and heart behind the performers…the belief they demonstrate when they sing there song. As for John Rich, he’s a smart man and a business man and whatever his reasons are, I respect and appreciate him, because his heart is in country.
March 13, 2008 at 4:02 pm Permalink
I am truly surprised that there are people who like this song!
March 14, 2008 at 5:06 am Permalink
I personnally dont like the song of Julio Iglesias Jr., I think is crap; but reading all the comments posted here I get a confirmation that the Country community is a reservoir of ultra conservatives which have remained anchored in the past, and they believe themselves the keepers of the essence of an America which doesnt exist anymore; the least change send them into paranoia. Julio Iglesias Jr. is from Spain, and if you didnt know it yet, Spain is Europe, consequently Julio Iglesias Jr is as white as any of those red necks who dont see any further from their noses and dare even to talk about ethnicity. They should read a little mor and also travel a little more, that is not incompatible with listening country music.
March 18, 2008 at 12:49 am Permalink
Julio’s song is good, and just as country as some of the top pop 40 on today’s country radio.
Some of Toby Keith’s songs hardly sound country, at least, not in the traditional sense and they’re popular. Country music will always have its Hank Williams roots but it’s also evolving.
March 29, 2008 at 8:01 pm Permalink
It is so discouraging to listen to all of your comments as to the opposition toward Julio Inglesias Jr. Wow, I am a Red Blooded Hispanic American here in Nashville aspiring to become a successful Country Singer. I must agree that the song isnt Country but the real question is. Would a Hispanic singing Straight country lyrics with real country music be accepted or is it just that country music isnt for Hispanics.
December 28, 2008 at 12:16 am Permalink
This is cool muzic! I want to meet with you – this is my dream!!!
December 28, 2008 at 11:25 am Permalink
You should meet with the poor girl, Brady.
Leave a Comment