Ricky Martin is the fifth studio album and first English album by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. It was released on May 11, 1999, by Columbia Records. Following the release of four Spanish-language albums, and the huge success of his fourth studio album, Vuelve (1998), Martin announced the recording of his first English language album. He worked with producers KC Porter, Robi Rosa, and Desmond Child to create the album. Musically, Ricky Martin consists of dance-pop tracks, power ballads, mid-tempo pop songs, and rock numbers. After the album's release, Martin embarked on the worldwide Livin' la Vida Loca Tour, which was the highest-grossing tour of 2000 by a Latin artist.
"She Bangs" is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for his sixth studio album, Sound Loaded (2000). The song was written by Desmond Child, Walter Afanasieff, and Draco Rosa, while the production was handled by Afanasieff and Rosa. It was released to radio stations by Columbia Records as the lead single from the album on September 22, 2000. A dance track with Latin and salsa music influences, its lyrics see Martin wanting to hold on to a woman, and the song is a "metaphor for the universe". The song received widely positive reviews from music critics, who often noted similarities with Martin's 1999 single "Livin' la Vida Loca", and received a nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 2001 Grammy Awards. "She Bangs" was commercially successful, reaching number one in seven countries, including Italy and Sweden, as well as the top five in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several other countries.
"Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" is a song by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin from his sixth studio album, Sound Loaded (2000). Martin re-recorded the song along with American singer Christina Aguilera in December 2000. The album version was written by Desmond Child, Victoria Shaw, and Gary Burr and produced by Child; the duet received additional production from Walter Afanasieff. The duet was released by Columbia Records on January 16, 2001, as the second single from the album. A mid-tempo pop song and power ballad with elements of flamenco and Latin music, it is about heartbreak and longing.
"María" is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for his third studio album, A Medio Vivir (1995). The song was written by Ian Blake, Luis Gómez Escolar, and KC Porter, while the production was handled by Porter, Tom Vickers, and Steve Berkowitz. It was released by Sony Music Mexico as the second single from the album on November 21, 1995. A Spanish language flamenco, dance, and salsa song, it is about an attractive but dangerous woman called "María". Local DJ Pablo Flores remixed the song, turning it into an up-tempo samba tune in a house bassline. The remix version became more popular than the original one.
"Livin' la Vida Loca" is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for his fifth studio album and English-language debut, Ricky Martin (1999). The song was written by Draco Rosa and Desmond Child, while the production was handled by the latter. It was released to radio stations by Columbia Records as the lead single from the album on March 27, 1999. A Latin pop and dance song with elements of salsa, surf, and ska, it is about an irresistible, particularly sinister, wild woman who lives on the edge, seducing others into her crazy world. The song received acclaim from music critics, who complimented its lyrics and danceable rhythm. It was ranked as the best 1990s pop song by Elle, and was listed among the Best Latin Songs of All Time by Billboard.
"The Cup of Life" is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for his fourth studio album, Vuelve (1998). Martin created the song after FIFA requested of him an anthem. The song was written by Luis Gómez Escolar, Desmond Child, and Draco Rosa, while the production was handled by the latter two. It was released by Columbia Records on March 9, 1998, as the second single from the album, and became the official song of the 1998 FIFA World Cup held in France. A primarily Spanish language samba-rooted Latin pop song, it carries a football-heavy message with fully positive lyrics.
"Private Emotion" is a song recorded by American band The Hooters for their fifth studio album, Out of Body (1993). The song was written by Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman, while the production was handled by Bazilian, Joe Hardy, and Hyman. It was released by MCA Records as the third single from the album in 1993. A ballad, using mandolin and Hammond organ, it is a love song that expresses a fresh emotion through an extreme desire to share love. The song received widely positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its use of instruments and Bazilian's vocal. A German-language version of the song, entitled "Heimliche Sehnsucht" was released in Germany in 1994.
"Tal Vez" (transl. "Perhaps") is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for his seventh studio album, Almas del Silencio (2003). The song was written by Venezuelan singer-songwriter Franco De Vita, while the production was handled by Tommy Torres. It was released to radio stations by Sony Discos as the lead single from the album on March 25, 2003. A Spanish language rock ballad, it is a romantic song about regret, lost opportunities, and last chances. The song received widely positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its melody, lyrics, and Martin's vocals. It was ranked as one of the Top Latin Songs of the Century by Latin Times.
"The Best Thing About Me Is You" is a song by the Puerto Rican recording artist Ricky Martin, taken from his ninth studio album, Música + Alma + Sexo (2011). It was digitally released as the lead single from the album on November 2, 2010. The song had earlier premiered on radio's Ryan Seacrest show. The original English version of the song features singer Joss Stone, while its Spanish version, "Lo Mejor de Mi Vida Eres Tú", replaces Stone's vocals with Natalia Jiménez. "The Best Thing About Me Is You" was later featured on three of Martin's compilations: Greatest Hits (2011), Playlist: The Very Best of Ricky Martin (2012) and Greatest Hits: Souvenir Edition (2013).
Música + Alma + Sexo is the ninth studio album by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Ricky Martin. It was released on January 31, 2011, in Europe by Columbia Records and on February 1, 2011, in North America by Sony Music Latin. The album features guest appearances by Joss Stone, Natalia Jiménez, Claudia Leitte and Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel, with contributions from musicians including Tommy Denander, John 5 and Josh Freese. It consists of songs in Spanish and English.
"Vuelve" is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for his fourth studio album, Vuelve (1998). The song was written by Franco De Vita, while the production was handled by K. C. Porter and Draco Rosa. It was released to radio stations by Sony Discos as the lead single from the album on January 26, 1998. A Spanish language power ballad and Latin pop song with elements of rock and gospel, it is about the singer's true love, who gives the meaning of his life. It received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its romantic lyrics and Martin's vocal.
The Música + Alma + Sexo World Tour was the eighth concert tour by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Ricky Martin. The tour supported his ninth studio album, Música + Alma + Sexo (2011). It began with a series of concerts in Puerto Rico and North America, with international dates later in the year. The tour was his first in four years, the previous being the 2007 Black and White Tour. On the Pollstar Top 50 Worldwide Tours of the first half of 2011, Ricky Martin ranked at number 42. His tour grossed $17.7, with 37 shows and 246,141 total tickets. After visiting 28 countries throughout North America, Europe and Latin America, Ricky Martin formally ended his tour on November 12, 2011 in his homeland, Puerto Rico, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. The tour was planned to close on November 19, 2011 in Santo Domingo, however it got cancelled
"Más" is the second single from Ricky Martin's studio album, Música + Alma + Sexo (2011). It was released as a digital download on April 5, 2011.
Puerto Rican recording artist Ricky Martin has released ten studio albums, seven compilation albums, two live albums, one soundtrack album and four box sets. Martin has sold over 70 million records, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time. His self-titled debut studio album was released in November 1991 by Sony Discos. Two years later, Columbia Records released Martin's second studio album, Me Amaras. Despite both albums failing to achieve a significant commercial success, they pushed Martin towards superstar status in many Latin American countries. His third studio album, A Medio Vivir, was released in September 1995 by Sony Latin. The album features a "harder rock edge style" than his previous efforts, while being mixed with Latin references such as flamenco and cumbia. A Medio Vivir charted in several countries and peaked at number seven in Spain and number 11 on the US Latin Albums chart.
"Vida" is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for the One Love, One Rhythm – The 2014 FIFA World Cup Official Album (2014). It was written by Martin, Salaam Remi, Elijah King, Afo Verde, Roxana Amed and produced by Remi. The song was chosen in a musical contest organized by FIFA and Sony Music which King won, and it was subsequently arranged for Martin to record the track. It was digitally released as the second single from the compilation album on April 22, 2014. "Vida" is a Latin pop song that features guitar, ukulele, percussion, horn and "exotic sounds with a Caribbean feel".
A Quien Quiera Escuchar is the sixth Spanish album and tenth studio album by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. It was released on February 10, 2015, through Sony Music Latin. It won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
"Perdóname" is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin from his tenth studio album A Quien Quiera Escuchar (2015). It was released on January 15, 2016 as the fourth single from the album through Sony Music Latin. It was written by Martin, Yotuel Romero, Beatriz Luengo and Antonio Rayo, and produced by Julio Reyes Copello. "Perdóname" is a ballad with lyrics focused on admitting the protagonist's mistakes and asking for forgiveness from his love interest. Music critics were positive towards the song's heartfelt lyrics and instrumentation. A music video directed by Carlos Pérez premiered on February 11, 2016 consisting of scenes focusing on Martin singing the song and showcasing emotions.
