Natanael Cano is breathing new life into a beloved Mexican classic. On Friday, Natanael Cano Honors Juan Gabriel with song ‘Amor Eterno’. the pioneer of corridos tumbados released his own version of “Amor Eterno” a song written by the legendary Juan Gabriel. This reimagined track offers a modern twist to the classic originally sung by Rocío Dúrcal, just in time for Día de Muertos.
Natanael Cano Honors Juan Gabriel
According to Rolling Stone, In a press release, Cano shared how much the song means to him personally. “This is one of those songs that stays in your memory forever. It brings back so many childhood memories for me,” Cano explained. He said he’s been wanting to record the track to honor Juan Gabriel and other idols like Ariel Camacho. In the music video, Cano appears in a black-and-gold outfit inspired by JuanGa’s famous look from his Palacio de Bellas Artes concert, performing the corrido tumbado version in a Día de Muertos-themed setting.
The Legacy of ‘Amor Eterno’
Originally written by Juan Gabriel in 1974 after the death of his mother, “Amor Eterno” became iconic through Rocío Dúrcal’s 1984 mariachi-bolero version. The song’s deeply emotional lyrics, like “How I wish that you lived/That your little eyes had never closed/so I could be looking at them,” have made it a staple at funerals and a beloved mariachi classic. The song was even added to the United States’ National Recording Registry earlier this year for preservation.
A Modern Rendition for a New Generation
Cano’s decision to release the song around Día de Muertos was intentional, as he feels it resonates with those who have lost loved ones. “I like that it coincides with the Day of the Dead because I feel many people will identify with the song,” Cano said. Though his rendition of “Amor Eterno” received some backlash for its stylistic change, many pointed out that Juan Gabriel himself was known for collaborating with modern artists, as he did with J Balvin and Fifth Harmony before his death in 2016.
Cano’s version of “Amor Eterno” follows his recent collaborations with Oscar Maydón on “Giza” and Tito Double P on “Primo.” Meanwhile, Juan Gabriel’s estate continues to honor his legacy with posthumous releases. These include the album México con Escalas en Mi Corazón in 2023, and Los Dúo 3, which featured duets with artists like John Fogerty and Danna Paola.
