Eso Beso (That Kiss!)

"Eso Beso (That Kiss!)" by Paul Anka

Picture late 1962, when Paul Anka, the gifted singer-songwriter who had been a star since his teenage years, delivered a fun, energetic Latin-flavored pop hit. With "Eso Beso (That Kiss!)," Anka offered a bright, danceable song full of Latin rhythm and youthful energy. The song became a notable hit, a fun and infectious celebration of a memorable kiss, showcasing Anka's gift for catchy, energetic pop and his enduring appeal as one of the era's most successful artists.

A Gifted Songwriter

Paul Anka had been a star since his teenage years, a gifted singer-songwriter who had written and performed numerous hits. Anka was famous for writing classics like "Diana" and the English lyrics to the standard "My Way," establishing him as one of the most successful songwriters and performers of his era. "Eso Beso (That Kiss!)" came during his successful run, a fun, Latin-flavored pop hit that showcased his gift for catchy, energetic material and his enduring appeal as a performer.

A Latin-Flavored Pop Hit

The recording is built on a bright, danceable arrangement with Latin rhythm and infectious energy. The mood is fun and exuberant, celebrating a memorable kiss with youthful, danceable spirit. The arrangement is catchy and energetic, blending pop with Latin flavor for maximum appeal. There is a bright, infectious quality throughout, the sound of a gifted performer delivering a fun, energetic hit. It captures Anka's gift for catchy, danceable pop and the Latin-flavored energy that made the song such an infectious and enjoyable celebration of romance.

A Strong Run on the Hot 100

The single performed well during its chart run. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 3, 1962, at number 81, then climbed quickly through 60, then 44, then 36, then 23 in rapid succession across the following weeks. It continued rising until it peaked at number 19 during the week of December 8, 1962. Across its life the record spent eight weeks on the Hot 100, a solid showing that confirmed Anka's enduring appeal and the infectious appeal of the fun, Latin-flavored pop hit.

Part of a Successful Career

"Eso Beso (That Kiss!)" belongs to the catalog of one of the most successful singer-songwriters of his era, a fun, Latin-flavored pop hit. It captures Paul Anka's gift for catchy, energetic material and his enduring appeal as a performer. The song endures as an example of his bright, danceable pop style, an infectious celebration of romance delivered with youthful energy. It reflects the catchy, energetic sensibility that made Anka one of the most successful and durable artists of his time, a gifted songwriter and performer.

The Durability of Paul Anka

Paul Anka was one of the most durable and successful artists in popular music, a gifted singer-songwriter whose career spanned decades and many shifts in musical taste. Having become a star as a teenager, he proved his lasting talent through his gift for writing and performing catchy, appealing material. A song like "Eso Beso (That Kiss!)" demonstrates that gift, the fun, Latin-flavored pop showing his ability to craft an infectious, energetic hit. There is real significance in an artist who could sustain such a long and successful career, adapting to changing tastes while maintaining his appeal. Anka's songwriting gift was extraordinary, producing not only his own hits but classics performed by other major artists. His ability to craft catchy, energetic pop, as well as romantic ballads and sophisticated standards, made him remarkably versatile. The Latin-flavored energy of this song reflected the era's openness to diverse styles and Anka's gift for infectious, danceable material. His enduring success testified to genuine talent and adaptability, the qualities that kept him relevant across many years. A fun, energetic celebration of a memorable kiss captures one dimension of his appeal, the catchy, danceable pop that made Paul Anka one of the most successful and durable singer-songwriters of his era, an artist whose gift for an infectious hit endured throughout a remarkable career.

Press play and let Paul Anka's Latin-flavored energy celebrate a memorable kiss with infectious fun.

"Eso Beso (That Kiss!)" — Paul Anka's singular moment on the 1960s charts.