Tim McGraw Debuts New Spanish Version of ‘Humble and Kind’ [LISTEN]
Tim McGraw has long said that his 2016 hit single, "Humble and Kind," can apply to listeners all over the world. However, the country icon took that concept a step further with his recent release of a Spanish-language adaption of the song, "Nunca Te Olvides de Amar," a title whose literal translation reads, "Never Forget to Love." Readers can press play above to listen to the track, and watch its corresponding music video.
"It's one thing to say I'm 'being universal,' and it's another thing for me to try to reach out across a language barrier and put in the effort to deliver that same message," McGraw explains in an interview with Billboard. "To make someone understand that you're trying to love them through a song and work to make people feel it is a pretty cool thing. My Spanish may not be perfect, but if I can reach out and touch someone in a language that's not my own -- that's good enough to try."
The song's simple -- but poignant -- message has already achieved widespread resonance with English-speaking listeners, including the #HumbleAndKind Twitter movement, reminding people everywhere to stay grounded, not take any part of life for granted and help others every time they have the chance. The song was originally written by Lori McKenna, who says she first came up with the idea as a message to her children.
Noted singer/songwriter Claudia Brant adapted the song into Spanish, and McGraw says that although the result isn't a literal, word-for-word translation of the original, Brant focused on retaining the original message.
"In songwriting, language has to rhyme and fit into the phrasing of the melody, so the song doesn't translate exactly word for word," McGraw adds. "But Claudia Brant did an incredible job of translating the sentiment and heart of 'Humble and Kind' into 'Nunca Te Olvides de Amar."
Fans of McGraw's who are familiar with the original video for "Humble and Kind" may recognize parts of "Nunca Te Olvides de Amar"'s video treatment: It is a fairly faithful adaption of the original concept, which was directed by Wes Edwards. That video features close-up shots of people of all different walks of life, interspersed with footage from Oprah Winfrey's documentary series, Belief.
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