Border Girl
Border Girl | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 18, 2002 | |||
Recorded | September 2001 – March 2002 | |||
Studio | Various
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Genre | ||||
Length | 61:15 (Standard) | |||
Language | Universal | |||
Producer | Doug Morris, Bruce Carbone, Sal Guastella, Gen Rubin, David Eriksen, Shep & Kenny, Kenny Flav, Lenio Purry, Marcello Azevedo, Chris Rodríguez, Jodi Marr, Brian Rawling | |||
Paulina Rubio chronology | ||||
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Singles from Border Girl | ||||
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Border Girl is the sixth studio album and first English-language album by Mexican recording singer
Upon its release, Border Girl received positive reviews from music critics, many of whom praised its production and ability to combine musical genres. The album was a commercial success in America and Spain. In the US, the album peaked at number eleven on the
Six singles were released from the album. The lead single, "
Background and production
In 1997, after it released Rubio's fourth studio album
After the success of her previous album
Title and artwork
"[With Border Girl] I want to reflect what I am, a girl who has lived in Mexico, Spain, Italy, New York... and who translates all that fusion of styles into music. What I do is global music. It is the result of the cultural contrast of my childhood and adolescence; there is a lot of fusion, ranchera, hip-hop, Mexican guitars that cry or flamenco guitars that laugh."
—Rubio talking about the inspiration behind Border Girl.[4]
The album's name takes the title of the song "Border Girl", written by Richard Marx. Rubio liked it as an album title because she wanted to "reflect who I am". Several media opined it was a pun, and that the singer was referring to her crossover music act due it was her first English-language album. But in every interview, Rubio in a way explained that "Border Girl is Paulina, her story, her life, growing up in different countries of the world, absorbing that culture and putting it on her album." Using the parallelism as a musical device between her album and herself.[5]
In reviewing Rubio's impact on U.S. Hispanic culture, Professor Angharad N. Valdivia wrote in her essay Latina/o Communication Studies Today (2008), "The title of the album declares the intention to inhabit that liminal space of the border." She concluded, "Hence she becomes the 'bordergirl' and creates an album that utilizes the polyvocality of her 'bordergirl' identity" as a "hybridity of inspired content and projected self-identidy" about a girl who transgresses the border.[6]
The artwork for Border Girl was shot by Spanish photographer Cesar Urrutia. On the cover, Rubio is seen resting her hand in the back pocket of her short jeans, giving the impression that she is subtly lowering her clothes to show her groin. She wears a crop top nude color and a short jeans. Frank Cogan from The Village Voice stated, "On the album cover she seems to be a dirty blonde" that show her most sexual facet.[7] While Billboard journalist Leila Cobo gave a detailed description of Rubio's image as "part sex kitten, part dance diva", explained that she "comes across as the postcard-perfect party girl."[8]
The cover also served as one of two CD single covers for single of the album, "Don't Say Goodbye" / "Si Tú Te Vas".
Musical styles and content
Border Girl—a compendium of fifteen tracks: eleven in English and another five in Spanish—is "essentially a
The opening track, "Don't Say Goodbye", which starts with a spoken introduction by Rubio, is a dance-pop song[13] "blends buoyant techno beats, sweeping keyboards, jangly guitars and stratospheric vocals."[14] Rolling Stone described it as "a bouncy club anthem."[15] In contrast to the "uplifting" sound, the lyrical content of "Don't Say Goodbye" is about a lost love.[14] The song reminds Rubio "women that we have no problem saying when you really want someone not to leave."[16] The Latin-style-rhythms "Casanova"[13] is a dance-pop driven by salsa-fried[15] instrumentals of Spanish-guitars. The title track and the first ballad[17] of album, "Border Girl", is a "funky and melodic" song "whose underlying hip-hop beats only serve to make the song even more appealing."[13] The love song "The One You Love" is a soft rock[13] ballad with dramatic Latin-strings, and fancy harmonies. MTV described it "an effervescent pop melody colored with flamenco guitar" whose lyrical is "about the fulfillment of satisfying someone else's needs."[11] "Not That Kind of Girl" is the original version of the previously Spanish-version "Yo No Soy Esa Mujer" (from Paulina), the song is a little more arena-pop song that reflects on the tensions following a relationship. It holds the empowered and feminist anthem of the first recording.
"Undeniable" is a
The album close with the Spanish-version songs—"Si Tú Te Vas", "Baila Casanova", "Todo Mi Amor", "Y Yo Sigo Aquí"— and the inedit dance-track "Libre".
Promotion
Media appearances
Prior to the album's release, Rubio premiered "Don't Say Goodbye" at the
To promote the album's release, there were promotional advertisements aired on international television channels. One of the first promotional appearances did Rubio was in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where the singer talked about the album and sing "Don't Say Goodbye"; the same evening Border Girl was released, June 18, 2002, after celebrating her birthday her Release Party in Beverly Hills. Rubio covered July issue La Vanguardia, the Spanish magazine cited: "Paulina Rubio heads the new generation of Latin American singers who crowds loves."[23] One month earlier, she starred on the cover of People en Español as the cover star and she was chosen as the "most beautiful" of the list "the 25 Latin beauties" of 2002.[24] Also, she appeared in other publications such as Miami's Ocean Drive and Cosmopolitan, where according to Agustin Gurza from Los Angeles Times, "Rubio assumes the lusty pose of a self-confident temptress, a hint of wildness in her tiger-striped blouse, her wraparound suede skirt with the cave-girl cut, and especially in her exotic, feline eyes." The writer wrote for the publication that "her look says she knows what she wants, a statement punctuated by a tousled mound of hair cascading down her shoulders" very Barbarella or Brigitte Bardot.[25]
Rubio went back to United States during the half time of the MLS All Star match between the
Singles
Preceding the album release, "I'll Be Right Here (Sexua Lover)" was released as a contemporary hit radio single —then still without it being conceived— on 26 June 2001 in United States.[26] The song is the English version of massive success single "Y Yo Sigo Aquí", and was well received by music critics, whom complimented its danceability and Hi-NRG style.[13] The single did not receive any promotion due Universal Music released it while Rubio still promoting Paulina album in Europe, but in 2003 it reached top 50 singles in Czech Republic,[27] and was a hit on dance/electronic radio airplay in Russia and featured on the main cover of various artists compilation album Танцевальный Рай 14 (Dance Paradise 14).[28] An accompanying music video for the single was directed by Simón Brand and features Rubio as a sexual girl, dancing in a party at the beach around several young girls and boys.
"
"The One You Love" was released on 20 August 2002. It received positive reviews from music critics, considered a highlights of Border Girl. It managed to entered on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but was a moderate success. In Estonia was one of the most add airplay songs on SKY Radio.[32] Nevertheless, the Spanish-language version "Todo Mi Amor" achieved bigger commercial impact in Latin America and Spain. An accompanying music video for the single was directed by Wayne Isham and features Rubio roller skates down on the pier of a beach and having fun with her fans.
"Casanova" was released on 9 December 2002. It generated a favourable response from music critics, whom applaud its production. Commercially, the Spanish-lñanguage version single performed fairly well and peaked in Mexico, Spain and Argentina. An accompanying music video for the song was again directed by Simón Brand and features Rubio dancing while her love interest plays an acoustic guitar.
"Fire (Sexy Dance)" and "Libre" was released as the final single from the album in March 2003 to US and Spain airplay radio only, respectively.
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
MTV Asia | 5/10[35] |
People | favorable[19] |
Rolling Stone | favorable[15] |
Vibe | [18] |
The Village Voice | favorable[7] |
Border Girl received generally favourable reviews from music critics. Jose F. Promis from
Commercial performance
In the United States, the album sold 56,000 copies in its first-week[38] and debuted at number eleven on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming Rubio's highest charting album in the region till date. In this region, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of 500,000 units. As of December 2006 the album had sold 286,000 copies in United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.[39] In Rubio's native country Mexico, Border Girl was certified platinum for shipments of 150,000 units by the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas.[40] To December 2002, the album sold 154,948 copies in this region.[41]
The album achieved similar success in other regions. In Spain, the album peak at number three on the Top 100 Albums chart, and was certified platinum for sales of 100,000 units by the Productores de Música de España.[42] In Chile, the album was certified gold. The album managed to chart on countries such as Japan, Italy and on the Swedish album charts where Paulina had not charted before. In other regions of North America, it charting in July 2002 at number thirty nine on the Quebecer Albums Chart and number four on the Bay Arena Top 20 Albums.[43][44]
As of December 2002, Border Girl had sold more than 1 million copies worldwide.[45]
Impact and legacy
Border Girl became the first crossover by a Mexican artist, making Paulina Rubio, "historically [...] the first Mexican artist to transcend in the world singing in English".[46] Following its release, the album reportedly sold half million copies in US, becoming the only Mexican singer with two RIAA-certified Gold record standard type with her crossover album and Paulina (2000).[47] Border Girl also brought Rubio a number of accolades and award nominations. At the 2002 Premios Oye! ceremony, she won the award for Mexican Artist with Greatest International Projection, due the success of the album all around the world and for becoming the first Mexican popstar to achieve highest selling albums early 2000s.[48]
Track listing
- Source:[49]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | " I'll Be Right Here (Sexual Lover)" | Estéfano | Azevedo | 3:58 |
10. | "Fire (Sexy Dance)" | Estéfano, Marr | Jodi Marr | 3:29 |
11. | "I Was Made for Lovin' You" | Desmond Child, Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia | Brian Rawling | 3:33 |
12. | "Si Tú Te Vas" | Yie, Rubin, Luis Gómez Escolar | Rubin | 4:51 |
13. | "Baila Casanova" | Ledani, Zero, Jeeve, Colbert, Estéfano | Azevedo | 3:46 |
14. | "Todo Mi Amor" | James, Verges, Gómez Escolar | Shep & Kenny | 3:36 |
15. | "Libre" | Estéfano, Azevedo | Azevedo | 3:43 |
16. | "Y Yo Sigo Aquí" | Estéfano | Azevedo | 3:58 |
Total length: | 1:01:15 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
17. | "Vive El Verano" (Bonus Track) | Richard Daniel Roman, Ignacio Ballesteros | Francisco Pellicer | 4:10 |
Total length: | 1:05:25 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
17. | "Don't Say Goodbye (Spanish Fly Radio Mix)" | 3:47 |
18. | "Don't Say Goodbye (Music Video)" (Interactive Track) | 3:40 |
Total length: | 1:08:06 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
16. | "Don't Say Goodbye (Music Video)" (Interactive Track) | 3:40 |
17. | "Si Tú Te Vas (Music Video)" (Interactive Track) | 3:40 |
Total length: | 1:04:52 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from AllMusic.[50]
- Katie Agresta – vocal coach
- Marcello Azevedo – arranger, bass, composer, drums, engineer, guitar, guitar (electric), keyboards, producer, programming, background vocals
- Michelle Bell – composer, background vocals
- Andres Bermudez – engineer, horn engineer, overdub engineer, track engineer, vocal engineer
- Edwin Bonilla – percussion
- Sandy Brummels – art direction
- Ed Calle – arranger, guest artist
- Bruce Carbone – executive producer
- Javier Carrion – engineer, guitar
- Rodolfo Castillo – composer
- Desmond Child – composer
- Jessica Chirino – background vocals
- Kevin Colbert – composer
- Tony Concepcion – horn, trumpet
- Gustavo Correa – violin
- Michael "Junno" Cosculluela – background vocals
- Omar Cruz – photography
- Christian De Walden – composer
- DJ Saber – cutting engineer
- Vicky Echeverri – background vocals
- David Eriksen – arranger, composer, drum programming, engineer, producer, keyboards, programming
- Estéfano – composer, Spanish adaptation, background vocals
- Orlando J. Forte – violin
- Nina Freeman – A&R
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- Jules Gondar – vocal engineer
- Sal Guastella – executive producer
- Hex Hector – mixing, producer, remixing
- Sindre Hotvedt – accordion
- Hitesh Hubner – fender rhodes, programming
- Bill Importico – engineer
- Brett James – composer
- Jeeve – composer
- Jennifer Karr – background vocals
- Calanit Ledani – composer
- Marian Lisland – background vocals
- Jodi Marr – composer
- Audrey Martells – engineer
- Richard Marx – composer
- Lorraine McIntosh – background vocals
- Roderigo Medeiros – guitar electric
- Gary Miller – keyboards, mixing, programming
- Doug Morris – executive producer
- Rey Nerio – horn arrangements, performing ensemble
- Nora – composer
- Alfredo Oliva – violin
- Paulina Rubio – vocals, background vocals, primary artist
- Sal Oristano – guitar
- Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra– strings
- Børge Petersen-Øverleir – guitar
- Vini Poncia – composer
- Pretty Willie – featured vocals on "Stereo"
- Brian Rawling – arranger, drums, producer
- Silvio Richetto – engineer
- Bob Rosa – engineer, mixing, vocal engineer, vocal producer
- Gen Rubin – arranger, composer, drum programming, engineer, guitar acoustic, keyboards, producer
- Shep – bass, engineer, guitar, producer, programming
- Craig Robert Smith – engineer, mixing assistant
- Angela Spellman – A&R
- Joe Spix – design
- Paul Stanley – composer
- Ron Taylor – mixing
- Dana Teboe – horn
- Tommy Torres – vocal producer, background vocals
- Cesar Urrutia – cover photography
- Troy Verges – composer
- Ralf Virguez – studio assistant
- Dan Warner – guitar
- Cheryl Yie – composer
- Ivan Zervigon – percussion
Charts and certifications
Charts
|
Certifications and sales‹See Tfd›‹See Tfd›
|
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Edition | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mexico | June 18, 2002 | CD | Standard | Universal Music Group | [61] |
United States | |||||
Spain | |||||
Italy | |||||
Germany | June 24, 2002 | ||||
South Korea | July 1, 2002 | [62] | |||
Japan | August 21, 2002 | CD+VCD | [1] |
See also
References
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- Billboard magazine. 2004-06-30. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
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- ^ ""No trato de evitar mi imagen en la prensa rosa: yo no tengo complejos"". El Mundo Magazine (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ISBN 9780820486321. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
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- ^ Nielsen Company. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
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- ^ "Milenio, Temas258-267". 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
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- ^ "Paulina Rubio demuestra su poder latino en 'Border Girl'". Los 40. 24 June 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ AllMusic
- ^ a b mtv.com. "Paulina Rubio Hopin To Cross Over Border Like Shakira". MTV. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d Micallef, Ken (June 25, 2002). "Paulina Rubio: Border Girl : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-06-17. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
- ^ "La Rubio no se deja" (in Spanish). Viva. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
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- ^ a b Guerra, Joey (July 2002). "Border Girl – Vibe Review". Vibe (Magazine). Retrieved 2 March 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Chuck Arnold, Kyle Smith (1 July 2002). "Picks and Pans Review: Border Girl". People. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ Wass, Mike (11 September 2013). "Paulina Rubio For Dummies: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs From The New 'X Factor' Judge". idolator.com. Idolator. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "At Universal Records, there's a calendar for Paulina Rubio. It's kept with the precision of an atomic clock". Pollstar. 29 July 2002. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Mientras presentaba su disco 'Border Girl', uno de los más..." alo.co (in Spanish). Alo. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
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- ^ "50 Most Beautiful". People En Español. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ Gurza, Agustin (9 June 2002). "She's Ready (She Says)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
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- ^ "Spain Charts: Paulina Rubio - Don't Say Goodbye". Spain Top 100. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
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- ^ "Airplay Singles Estonia" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 39. 21 September 2002. p. 19. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ABC. Abc.net.au. Retrieved 19 July 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Bautz, Mark (July 19, 2002). "Border Girl: Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
- ^ a b Jon, Ng. "Paulina Rubio: Border Girl (Universal)". MTV Asia. Archived from the original on December 18, 2004. Retrieved August 5, 2002.
- ^ Duerden, Nick. "Sexy. Young. Talented". www.blender.com. Blender. Archived from the original on 21 August 2004. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Border Girl by Paulina Rubio". us.napster.com. Rapsody. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ Dansby, Andrew (26 June 2002). "Eminem Tops Roach's "Tragedy"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
- ISSN 0006-2510.
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- ^ "Palmarès des ventes d'albums au Québec: compilation des ventes d'albums par ordre alphabétique d'interprètes" (PDF) (in French). Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. p. 642. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ "Bay Area Top 20 Albums". SFGATE. 28 June 2002. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
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- ^ Cruz Barcenas, Arturo. "Mi principal competencia son Jennifer López y Britney Spears, dice Paulina" (in Spanish). La Jornada. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
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- ^ ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Paulina Rubio – Border Girl". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ "Paulina Rubio Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "Paulina Rubio está feliz de ser ícono gay". August 1, 2002. Archived from the original on 2014-08-05. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type Paulina Rubio in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Border Girl in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 2000–2002". Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano.
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- ^ "Rubio Rules Charts". Billboard. 2004-06-30. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ "Paulina Rubio - Border Girl". www.yes24.com. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
Bibliography
- Valdivia, Angharad N. (2008), Latina/o Communication Studies Today, New York, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Frankfurt am Main, Oxford, Wien: (Textbook) Media and Communication, ISBN 978-08-2048-632-1