Reach (Gloria Estefan song)
"Reach" is a 1996 song by Cuban American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan. It is co-written by Estefan with Diane Warren and was one of two official songs of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, US. The single was included on the official Atlanta 96 album, "Rhythm of the Games", and later on Estefan's seventh studio album, "Destiny". The song peaked within the Top 10 in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway and Spain. In the UK, it peaked at number 15. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Reach" reached number 47 in June 1996. Outside Europe , it peaked at number 23 in Australia and number 42 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart in the US. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the ceremony in 1997 but lost out to Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart", which was also written by Diane Warren. Estefan recorded a Spanish version of the song, "Puedes Llegar", with Julio Iglesias, Plácido Domingo, Jon Secada, Alejandro Fernández, Roberto Carlos, Ricky Martin, José Luis Rodríguez, Patricia Sosa and Carlos Vives on vocals. This version can be found on the Spanish version of the Olympics  compilation album, "Voces Unidas". Song history. "Reach" was seen by many as the most progressive project of her career until then. The single became available for radio and club airplay on March 26, 1996. It can be described as an anthemic and inspirational ballad with an Olympic tie-in featuring both drums and a gospel choir, and was one of two official songs of the 1996 Summer Olympics which began in Atlanta, US on July 19. Estefan performed the song on the closing ceremony on August 4. It was written by Estefan and famed tunesmith Diane Warren, and co-produced  by Estefan's husband, Emilio Estefan Jr. and Lawrence Dermer. After Warren came up with its title, she and Estefan wrote the lyrics of the song in 20 minutes. The lyrics are about overcoming troubled times and coming back stronger than ever. Radio reactions to the song were strong and the videoclip got active play on various music TV channels, like VH1. It also received remixes from David Morales, Pablo Flores and Love To Infinity. The song appears on her compilation albums "Greatest Hits Vol. II" (2001), "The Very Best of Gloria Estefan" (2006) and "The Essential Gloria Estefan" (2006 ). Critical reception. The song received favorable reviews from most music critics. Scottish newspaper "Aberdeen Press and Journal" complimented Estefan, who "still has an admirable voice". Editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine for AllMusic stated in his review of "Destiny", that "Reach" "rank with her finest work", with the other album tracks "I'm Not Giving You Up" and "Higher". Another editor, Jon O'Brien wrote that the song perhaps is "her finest moment, a motivational power ballad complete with gospel choir and tribal drums." Larry Flick from "Billboard" described it as a "stately power ballad" and an "outstanding recording". He noted that Estefan  has rarely sounded so vocally flexible and confident, broadening her range to wonderfully appealing heights within a softly building pool of percussion and gospel-spiked choir chants. He added that "by the dramatic close, the song has risen to inspirational anthemic proportions." The Daily Vault's Mark Millan picked it as the best track on the album and added that 'musically it's very "international" and lyrically it's very uplifting.' Chris Hicks from "The Deseret News" viewed it as "gorgeous." Josef Woodard from "Entertainment Weekly" called it a "feel-goody" song. Dave Sholin from the "Gavin Report" commented that  the remarkable performer really shines when she has new material that showcases her signature style. He added that the collaboration with pop songwriting genius Diane Warren "results in a production which is quintessential Gloria Estefan." Roger Catlin from "Hartford Courant" said that the singer 'is savvy enough to save her trump card for last—her Olympic anthem "Reach".' Jeremy Griffin from "The Ithacan" deemed the song as a "triumphant anthem." Pan-European magazine "Music & Media" called it a "sweeping ballad dominated by slow, impressive drums which swell to a climax towards the end." They complimented Estefan's voice as "warm  and strong, amplified by a gospel choir, but she wisely eschews any vocal acrobatics." A reviewer from "Music Week" rated it five out of five, picking it as Single of the Week. The reviewer added, "It's a top-notch curtain-raiser to her first English-language album in five years, and it's a smash." Ian Fortnam from "NME" stated in his review of the album, that "it is 'Reach' that is truly destined to break the global bank this summer as the official anthem of the Olympic Games." David W. Bothner from "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" deemed it a  surprisingly folksy tune. Bob Waliszewski of "Plugged In" noted that it expesses a "willingness to 'go the distance' to fulfill a promise." Music video. A black-and-white music video was made to accompany the song. It was directed by German film director and producer Marcus Nispel and premiered in April 1996. The video was shot at Key Biscayne Beach in Florida and features Estefan standing on a high colossus by the sea, like a monumental goddess. She holds a long black transparent veil that blows in the wind. Birds fly in the air and the sun shining on the  sea reflects back on Estefan as she sings. There are at least two different edits of the video. The most common version shows Estefan performing mixed with different TV images of the olympic flag and various Olympic athletes performing in their genres. The other version is called the Vogue version. Track listing. Original Versions Pablo Flores & Javier Garza Remixes Love To Infinity Remixes David Morales Remixes Puedes Llegar. A Spanish version called "Puedes Llegar" was recorded in 1996 which featured vocals from Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Julio Iglesias, Plácido Domingo, Roberto Carlos, Jose Luis Rodríguez, Patricia Sosa, Alejandro Fernández, Ricky  Martin and Carlos Vives. "Puedes Llegar" was included as the opening track for EMI Latin's "Voces Unidas", the official Spanish-speaking album for 1996 Olympic Games. "Puedes Llegar" was released as a promotional single and reached the position 2 on "Billboard" Hot Latin Tracks and Latin Airplay charts in June 1996.