José Feliciano - Feliz Navidad

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The Holidays are a season for over the top sentimentality, and while I'm usually one for just that, sometimes you need a bit of an escape from the regular Bing Crosby routine.  José Feliciano's upbeat-but-different salsa inspired Feliz Navidad is just the ticket. Unsurprisingly, it's one of the most played Christmas songs.

Feliciano was born in Puerto Rico, blind from congenital glaucoma.  Perhaps because of his reliance on hearing, he gravitated young to music, playing pop music and classical guitar for up to 14 hours a day.  When the family moved to New York, he started playing in clubs, and then recording.  His success overseas in Spanish-speaking countries led to more recordings, and his Latin version of The Door's Light My Fire was his breakout hit. 

But Feliz Navidad was undeniably his biggest hit, and signature song.  It channels an optimism that is simply infectious - that despite the curve balls that life throws at you, there's always hope for the New Year.



Feliz Navidad (Songwriter: José Feliciano)

Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Prospero año y felicidad.

Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Prospero año y felicidad.

I want to wish you a merry christmas
I want to wish you a merry christmas
I want to wish you a merry christmas
From the bottom of my heart.

Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Prospero año y felicidad.

I want to wish you a merry christmas
I want to wish you a merry christmas
I want to wish you a merry christmas
From the bottom of my heart.

Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Prospero año y felicidad.