La novia

"La novia" is a popular song by Chilean songwriter Joaquín Prieto, first recorded by his brother Antonio Prieto. Recorded in Mexico, it became an instant hit in that country and the brothers' native Chile. After popularizing both in South America and Europe in its original form, it was recorded by British singer Julie Rogers in 1964 as "The Wedding" (sometimes credited as "The Wedding (La Novia)". The song was included on Rogers' extended play from 1964, which was also titled The Wedding, and has appeared on various compilation albums in the years since its release. Background, original release and international success Joaquín Prieto, a Chilean musician, wrote a song in Spanish in 1960 that he called "La novia" ("The bride"). It was inspired by an experience lived by his brother Antonio Prieto. In 1982, Antonio told Ecuadorian magazine Hogar "I was the boyfriend of a Chilean girl and I had to leave my country to make some money. When I returned, she was getting married". While Joaquín Prieto composed the song in Chile, Antonio recorded it in Mexico in 1961. It was distributed by RCA Victor, first in South America and later in Spain, Italy and other countries, where it became an instant hit. Soon later, in 1961, an Argentinian film based on the song, titled La novia was produced, with Elsa Daniel as the main role. Antonio Prieto was part of the cast. The Prieto brothers visited Spain in 1962 and were received enthusiastically by the local press and fans. By the next year, Joaquín was living between Italy and Spain, having signed a contract with RCA Victor as a songwriter. Antonio's "La novia" reached number-one in the Spanish charts in the 3 and 10 July 1961 weeks, while the original version of Prieto and cover versions by Domenico Modugno and Tony Dallara were the number one hit in Italy between the weeks of 9 September and 16 December (except the week of 7 October).