Reach (Gloria Estefan song)
"Reach" is a 1996 song by American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan. It is co-written by Estefan with Diane Warren and was one of two official songs of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, US. The single was included on the official Atlanta 96 album, Rhythm of the Games. Later the song was also featured on Estefan's seventh studio album, Destiny. The song peaked within the Top 10 in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway and Spain. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 15. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Reach" reached number 47 in June 1996. Outside Europe, it peaked at number 23 in Australia and number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. "Reach" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the ceremony in 1997 but lost out to Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart" also written by Diane Warren.
Estefan recorded a Spanish version of the song, "Puedes Llegar", with Julio Iglesias, Plácido Domingo, Jon Secada, Alejandro Fernández, Roberto Carlos, Ricky Martin, José Luis Rodríguez, Patricia Sosa and Carlos Vives on vocals. This version can be found on the Spanish version of the Olympics compilation album, Voces Unidas.
Song history
"Reach" was seen by many as the most progressive project of her career until then. The single became available for radio and club airplay on March 26, 1996. It can be described as a anthemic and inspirational ballad with an Olympic tie-in featuring both drums and a gospel choir, and was one of two official songs of the 1996 Summer Olympics whic began in Atlanta, US on July 19. Estefan performed the song on the closing ceremony on August 4. It was written by Estefan and famed tunesmith Diane Warren, and co-produced by Estefan's husband, Emilio Estefan, Jr. and Lawrence Dermer. The lyrics are about overcoming troubled times and coming back stronger than ever. Radio reactions to the song were strong and the videoclip got active play on various music TV channels, like VH1. It also received remixes from David Morales, Pablo Flores and Love To Infinity.The song appears on her compilation albums Greatest Hits Vol. II, The Very Best of Gloria Estefan and The Essential Gloria Estefan.
Critical reception
The song received favorable reviews from most music critics. Editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine for AllMusic stated in his review of Destiny that "Reach" "rank with her finest work", with the other album tracks "I'm Not Giving You Up" and "Higher". Jon O'Brien wrote that "Reach" perhaps is "her finest moment, a motivational power ballad complete with gospel choir and tribal drums." Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "stately power ballad" and an "outstanding recording". He noted that Estefan "has rarely sounded so vocally flexible and confident, broadening her range to wonderfully appealing heights within a softly building pool of percussion and gospel-spiked choir chants." He added that "by the dramatic close, the song has risen to inspirational anthemic proportions." The Daily Vault's Mark Millan picked it as the best track on the album and added that 'musically it's very "international" and lyrically it's very uplifting.' Chris Hicks from The Deseret News noted it as "gorgeous." Josef Woodard from Entertainment Weekly called it a "feel-goody" song. Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report stated that "the remarkable performer really shines when she has new material that showcases her signature style." He added that "a collaboration with Pop songwriting genius Diane Warren results in a production which is quintessential Gloria Estefan." Roger Catlin from Hartford Courant said in his review of the album, that Estefan 'is savvy enough to save her trump card for last -- her Olympic anthem "Reach".' Jeremy Griffin from The Ithacan said the song is a "triumphant anthem." Music & Media called it a "sweeping ballad dominated by slow, impressive drums which swell to a climax towards the end." They complimented Estefan's voice as "warm and strong, amplified by a gospel choir, but she wisely eschews any vocal acrobatics." David W. Bothner from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette commented that "Reach" is a "surprisingly folksy tune." Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In noted that it expesses "a willingness to “go the distance” to fulfill a promise."Music video
A black-and-white music video was made to accompany the song. It was directed by German film director and producer Marcus Nispel and premiered in April 1996. The video was shot at Key Biscayne Beach in Florida and features Estefan standing on a high colossus by the sea, like a monumental goddess. She holds a long black transparent veil that blows in the wind. Birds fly in the air and the sun shining on the sea reflects back on Estefan as she sings. There are at least two different edits of the video. The most common version shows Estefan performing mixed with different TV images of the olympic flag and various Olympic athletes performing in their genres. The other version is called the Vogue version.Track listing
Original Versions- Album Version —
- Single Version —
- Spanish Version —
- Gold Medal Mix —
- Gold Medal Single Edit —
- Love To Infinity's Master Mix —
- Love To Infinity's Pure & Free Mix —
- Love To Infinitiy's Radio Master Mix —
- Love To Infinity's Walk In The Park Radio Mix —
- Love To Infinity's Walk In The Park Mix —
- Love To Infinity's Aphrodisiac Mix —
- Higher Radio Mix —
- Higher Club Mix —
- Higher Club Mix —
- Reachin' Dub —
- Dubstrumental —
Chart performance
Weekly charts
Puedes Llegar
A Spanish version called "Puedes Llegar" was recorded in 1996 which featured vocals from Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Julio Iglesias, Plácido Domingo, Roberto Carlos, Jose Luis Rodríguez, Patricia Sosa, Alejandro Fernández, Ricky Martin and Carlos Vives. "Puedes Llegar" was included as the opening track for EMI Latin's Voces Unidas, the official Spanish-speaking album for 1996 Olympic Games."Puedes Llegar" was released as a promotional single and reached the position 2 on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks and Latin Airplay charts in June 1996.