15 Años de Historia

  1. Home
  2. Wiki
15 Años de Historia
Compilation album by
Menudo
Released1998
Recorded1977–1985
GenrePop
LabelRCA
Menudo chronology
El Reencuentro: 15 Años Después
(1998) 		15 Años de Historia
(1998) 		La Historia
(2007)

15 Años de Historia (official title including subtitle: 15 Años de Historia — El Fenómeno que Hizo Epoca) is a compilation album by Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, released on July 28, 1998, by the record labels RCA Records and BMG.[1] The compilation, released as a double CD, includes songs originally featured on nine albums from Menudo's discography, released between 1979 and 1985.[2] The record label decided to release the album due to the positive reception of the group's reunion of former members, titled El reencuentro: 15 años después....[2]

In Brazil, BMG released an exclusive version adapted for the country, titled 15 Anos de História, which includes five songs in Portuguese and, in total, features only 16 tracks—nine of which are also on 15 años de historia. According to the newspaper O Pioneiro, the album brings together a selection of hits that marked the group's trajectory, performed by different members across the various lineups of the quintet.[3]

Songs

[edit]

The tracklist for 15 años de historia features thirty songs from Menudo's albums released between 1977 and 1985. From their 1970s albums - Los fantasmas (1977) and Chiquitita (1979) - only one song from each was included, specifically their title tracks.[4][5]

From their 1980s releases while signed to Puerto Rican label Padosa, the compilation includes: "Fuego" from Fuego (1981),[6] "Voy a America" from Xanadu (1981),[7] "Súbete a mi moto", "Mi banda toca rock", "Quiero ser", "Claridad", and "Rock en la TV" from Quiero ser (1981),[8] "Lady", "Quiero Rock", "Es por amor", "Y yo no bailo", and "Dulces besos" from Por amor (1982),[9] and "A volar", "Tú te imaginas", "Cámbiale las pilas", and "Lluvia" from Una aventura llamada Menudo (1982).[10]

In 1983, the group signed a million-dollar contract with RCA Records, comparable to deals given to artists like Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross.[11] Their first album under RCA was A todo rock (1983), featuring "Indianápolis", "Chicle de amor", "Si tú no estás", "No te reprimas", "Todo va bien", and "Zumbador".[12] RCA aimed to establish Menudo as a globally recognized group.[13][14] To achieve this, members re-recorded some of their earlier songs in English for the 1984 album Reaching Out,[15] which includes "Like a Cannonball", also featured in the Burt Reynolds film Cannonball Run II.[16][17] Also included are "Sabes a chocolate" and "Agua de limón" from Evolución (1984),[18] "Hold Me" from Menudo (1985),[19] and "La fiesta va a empezar" and "En San Juan me enamoré" from Ayer y hoy (1985).[20]

The Brazilian edition, celebrating the boy band's 15-year career and titled 15 Anos de História, includes songs only from albums released in Brazil between 1984 and 1986. Some tracks appear in their Portuguese versions rather than the original Spanish. From Reaching Out (1984) are "If You're Not Here (By My Side)", "Indianapolis", and "Like a Cannonball".[15] Mania (1984) contributes "Não Se Reprima", "Quero Ser", and "Troque Suas Pilhas".[21] Evolución (1984) provides "Sabes a chocolate" and "Rayo de luna",[18] while the 1985 self-titled album includes "Hold Me", "Oh, My Love", and "Please Be Good To Me".[19] A Festa Vai Começar (1985) features "A Festa Vai Começar", "Viva! Bravo!", and "Aventureiros",[22] and Can't Get Enough (1986) adds "Summer In The Streets" and "Old Enough To Love".[23]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
El Norte10/10[24]
Trip[25]

Regarding reviews from music critics, the album received widespread acclaim.

  • 15 Años de Historia

Deborah Davis of the Mexican newspaper El Norte rated the album 10/10, praising it as Menudo's true musical legacy in contrast to El reencuentro: 15 años después..., released by former members under the "El Reencuentro" project.[24] The review highlights the superior audio quality of the compilation's 30 tracks, noting sophisticated arrangements and musical references akin to artists like Mecano and Luis Miguel.[24] Davis also emphasizes the group's historical influence on boy bands such as New Kids on the Block,[24] and that while "El Reencuentro" featured mature but diminished vocals, 15 Años de Historia preserves Menudo's original youthful energy, making it the definitive choice for fans.[24]

  • 15 Anos de História: The Best of

In a satirical review for Trip, José Mojica Marins called Menudo "worse than the seven plagues of Egypt" and mocked their music (which his daughters adored).[25] Nevertheless, he humorously recounted profiting from an exorcism gig at a stadium post-concert, concluding with a tongue-in-cheek "five stars for Menudo."[25]

Commercial performance

[edit]

On August 29, 1998, the album debuted at number 49 among the fifty best-selling albums in the United States, on the Billboard magazine's Top Latin Albums chart.[26] The album reached its peak position at number 41 on September 12, 1998, after being absent from the chart for two weeks.[27] The following week, it remained at the same position, marking its final appearance on the chart.[28]

On December 18, 2022, the digital remastered version of the album reached the 63rd position on the Apple Music Chart in Sweden.[29]

Track listing

[edit]
15 años de historia
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead singerLength
1."Súbete a mi moto"A. Monroy, E. DíazRené Farrait3:30
2."Lady"A. Monroy, C. Villa, J. SeijasJohnny Lozada3:35
3."Quiero Rock"A. Monroy, C. Villa, J. SeijasMiguel Cancel2:32
4."Dulces besos"A. Monroy, C. Villa, J. SeijasJohnny Lozada3:27
5."Fuego"Leyda E. ColónGroup3:02
6."Mi banda toca Rock"Ivano FussatiJohnny Lozada2:56
7."A volar"A. Monroy, C. Villa, E. DíazMiguel Cancel4:12
8."Tu te imaginas"A. Monroy, C. VillaMiguel Cancel3:14
9."Si tú no estás"A. Monroy, C. Villa, E. DíazRay Reyes4:28
10."Agua de limón"A. Monroy, C. VillaCharlie Massó4:12
11."Indianapolis"A. Monroy, C. VillaCharlie Massó3:33
12."No te reprimas"A. Monroy, C. Villa, E. DíazCharlie Massó3:01
13."Sabes a chocolate"A. Monroy, C. VillaRobby Rosa4:14
14."Los fantasmas"H. HerreroGroup3:00
15."Hold Me"R. RiceRobby Rosa4:09
16."Rock en la T.V."C. Villa, E. DíazMiguel Cancel, Xavier Serbiá3:12
17."Quiero ser"Pepe Luis Soto, E. DíazRené Farrait3:04
18."Cámbiale las pilas"A. Monroy, C. VillaRicky Meléndez3:29
19."Y yo no bailo"A. Monroy, C. Villa, J. SeijasRicky Meléndez2:41
20."Chiquitita"J. Anderson, B. Ulvaeus, B. McCluskeyFernando Sallaberry, Carlos Meléndez5:03
21."La fiesta va empezar"A. Monroy, C. VillaRobby Rosa4:19
22."Es por amor"A. Monroy, C. VillaMiguel Cancel3:50
23."Claridad"U. TozziGroup4:10
24."Lluvia"A. Monroy, C. Villa, E. DíazGroup3:06
25."Chicle de amor"A. Monroy, C. VillaRay Reyes2:43
26."Voy a America"Eddy GuerinRené Farrait2:55
27."Todo va bien"A. Monroy, C. VillaCharlie Massó3:11
28."En San Juan me enamoré"A. Monroy, C. Villa, E. DíazRaymond Acevedo2:50
29."Zumbador"A. Monroy, C. VillaRay Reyes3:12
30."Like a Cannonball"M.-L. Brown, S. Garret, S.H. DorfRobby Rosa3:21
15 Anos de História: The Best of
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Don't Hold Back" (No te reprimas)C. Villa, A. Monroy, E. Díaz, C. CollaCharlie Massó3:04
2."If You Not Here (By My Side)" (Si tú no estás)C. Villa, A. Monroy, E. Díaz, M. PagánRobby Rosa4:27
3."Change Your Batteries" (Cámbiale las pilas)A. Monroy, C. Villa, C. RabelloRicky Meléndez3:35
4."Rayo de luna"C. Villa, A. MonroyRicky Martin3:40
5."Viva! Bravo!"A. Monroy, C. Villa, lyr. C. CollaCharlie Massó3:29
6."Like a Cannonball"Snuff Garrett, Steve Dorff, Milton BrownRobby Rosa3:20
7."Oh, My Love"C. Villa, A. Monroy, M. L. PagánRicky Martin3:49
8."I Want to Be" (Quiero ser)E. Díaz, P. Soto, C. CollaRay Reyes3:20
9."The Party's About to Start" (La fiesta va a empezar)A. Monroy, C. Villa, lyr. C. CollaRobby Rosa3:40
10."Hold Me"H. RiceRobby Rosa4:15
11."Summer in the Streets"J. Palermo, E. PalermoRobby Rosa3:47
12."Adventurers" (Aventurero)A. Monroy, C. Villa, M. L. Pagán, lyr. C. CollaRaymond Acevedo3:02
13."Please Be Good To Me"C. Villa, A. Monroy, M. L. PagánRobby Rosa4:53
14."Indianapolis"Alejandro Monroy, Carlos VillaCharlie Massó3:34
15."Sabes a chocolate"C. Villa, A. MonroyRobby Rosa4:14
16."Old Enough To Love"H. Rice, A. R. KimbleRobby Rosa3:21

Chart

[edit]
Weekly chart performance for 15 Años de Historia
Chart (1998) Peak
position
Billboard Top Latin Albums[30] 41

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "15 Anos de Historia - Menudo : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Lechner, Ernesto (August 4, 1998). "Return of the spice boys; Menudo, that Latin teen-pop sensation from the '80s, is back as El Reencuentro. And the group's grown-up fans couldn't be happier". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 421292215. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  3. ^ Guimarães, Nina (September 8, 2000). "Por onde eles andam". O Pioneiro (7,721 ed.). Rio Grande do Sul. p. 8. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  4. ^ Menudo (1977). Los Fantasmas (Media notes). Puerto Rico: Padosa. DP-1003.
  5. ^ Menudo (1979). Menudo (Media notes). Puerto Rico: Padosa. DP 1006.
  6. ^ Menudo (1981). Menudo (Media notes). Puerto Rico: Padosa. SP-1010.
  7. ^ Menudo (1981). Xanadu (Media notes). Peru: Pantel. PY-PTL 0001001.7.
  8. ^ Menudo (1981). Quiero ser (Media notes). Mexico: Raff. RF-9082.
  9. ^ Menudo (1982). Por amor (Media notes). Puerto Rico: Padosa. DP-1012.
  10. ^ Menudo (1982). Una aventura llamada Menudo (Media notes). Puerto Rico: Padosa. DP-1018.
  11. ^ Souza, Tárik de (June 21, 1984). "Vem aí a Beatlemania hispânica". Jornal do Brasil (74 ed.). Rio de Janeiro. p. 2 (Caderno B). Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  12. ^ Menudo (1983). A todo rock (Media notes). United States: RCA International. IL8-7241.
  13. ^ Prado, Zélia (March 3, 1985). "Um fenômeno chamado Menudo". Jornal do Brasil (325 ed.). Rio de Janeiro. pp. 6, 7. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Holden, Stephen (November 23, 1983). "The pop life; Menudo signs long term RCA pact". The New York Times: 18. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Menudo (1984). Reaching Out (Media notes). Brazil: RCA Victor, Padosa America. 104.4189.
  16. ^ Portela, Wilde (February 28, 1985). "Menudo: o conjunto-empresa que está dominando o mundo". Diário de Pernambuco (57 ed.). Pernambuco. p. B-1. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  17. ^ "Gente en la noticia". El Siglo de Torreón. April 24, 1985. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  18. ^ a b Menudo (1984). Evolución (Media notes). Brazil: RCA Victor, Padosa America. 104.4198.
  19. ^ a b Menudo (1985). Menudo (Media notes). Brazil: RCA Victor. 104.4200.
  20. ^ Menudo (1985). Ayer y hoy (Media notes). United States: RCA Records. IL7-7420.
  21. ^ Menudo (1984). Mania (Media notes). Brazil: Som Livre. 403.6311.
  22. ^ Menudo (1985). A Festa Vai Começar (Media notes). Brazil: RCA Records. 104.4206.
  23. ^ Menudo (1986). Can't Get Enough (Media notes). Brazil: RCA Victor. 104.4221.
  24. ^ a b c d e Davis, Deborah (August 1, 1998). "Audicion privada / este si es historico". El Norte (in Spanish). ProQuest 316172996. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c Marins, José Mojica (September 1999). "2 Menudo - 15 Anos de História (BMG)". Trip (in Portuguese). Vol. 12, no. 72. Trip Editora e Propaganda SA. p. 100. ISSN 1414-350X. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  26. ^ "The Billboard Latin 50" (PDF). Billboard. August 29, 1998. p. 67. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  27. ^ "The Billboard Latin 50" (PDF). Billboard. September 12, 1998. p. 70. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  28. ^ "Top Latin Albums - Billboard". Billboard. September 19, 1998. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  29. ^ "Laura (Remastered) - Menudo". www.top-charts.com. December 18, 2022. Archived from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  30. ^ "Menudo – Chart history (Top Latin Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.