Remember this banger? Thalía’s saintly ‘Gracias a Dios’ and sinful dance

As I delve into the captivating journey of Thalía, a shining star from Latin America, I find myself utterly mesmerized by her indomitable spirit and unapologetic approach to womanhood. Growing up, I was often boxed into narrow stereotypes, much like Thalía was in her time. But watching her defy those labels, challenge societal norms, and embrace her sexuality with confidence, was a breath of fresh air that left an indelible mark on my young heart.

Step into “Revisiting the Classics: Your Favorite Latin Tunes” – here, we’ll take frequent trips down memory lane to relive some timeless and cherished Latin tracks.

Thalia’s popular ’90s song “Thank You God” was written by Juan Gabriel and blends ska music with an examination of a pop star’s struggle between holiness and temptation.

Clad in a sleek patent leather corset and a sharp bob hairstyle reminiscent of Velma Kelly, Thalía confidently struts onto the screen in a steamy industrial setting, accompanied by the catchy, ska-influenced rhythm of her 1996 single “Gracias a Dios.

In this reimagined scenario, Thalia stands astride a bound man seated on a chair, skillfully using a straight razor to shave his face and subsequently tear off his shirt, revealing his well-defined torso. Thalia’s cheek rests tenderly upon her partner’s chest, her soothing voice filled with deep affection. Unexpectedly, she douses him with a powerful fire hose – an anomaly in the sensual domain of Thalia.

Thank God,” is the fifth single from Thalía’s fourth album, titled “En Éxtasis” released in 1995. This catchy tune was penned by El Divo de Juárez and succeeded some of her biggest hits like “Piel Morena,” “Maria la del Barrio,” and “Sangre.” It remained on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart for five weeks, reaching No. 26 and climbing to No. 8 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart. In Latin America, it was a massive hit, receiving heavy airplay on stations targeting the female audience.

On numerous Sundays, I’d find myself engulfed in the aroma of Suavitel as our home echoed with the tunes from my mom’s stereo, tuned consistently to Tijuana’s Radio Latina [104.5 FM]. As a teenager deeply into ska music, with Madness, The Specials, and Sublime being my favorites, “Gracias a Dios” struck the perfect intersection of popular culture that shaped me. Two distinct worlds melded together, and it was an amazing experience.

Thalía wasn’t exactly a novice in the entertainment world when her song gained popularity. She was molded for stardom right from her childhood within Mexico’s demanding celebrity machine, supported by a powerful family and eventually earning the title of the Queen of Latin Pop.

Thalía, a versatile 53-year-old individual, was born Ariadna Thalía Sodi Miranda in Mexico City as the youngest of five sisters. Her father, Ernesto Sodi Pallares, was a criminologist and scientist who passed away when she was just six years old. Her mother, Yolanda Miranda Mange, was a single mom who later rose to become a successful public relations executive. Thalía’s lineage traces back to the affluent Sodi family of Mexico, descendants of Italian immigrants who arrived in Oaxaca in the 19th century and held significant political positions under the rule of Porfirio Díaz.

For several generations, members of the Sodi family have been prominent figures in politics, journalism, law, and academia. In the 70’s, they started creating a dynasty in entertainment when Laura Zapata, Thalía (from Miranda Mange’s first marriage) began acting, marking her debut in the 1974 telenovela “Mundo de Juguete”. This opened the door for her sister to follow suit and eventually their niece, Camila Sodi. Thalía experienced the rigorous training of a child star, making her first on-screen appearance as a one-year-old in a soft drink commercial. She honed her skills in dance, singing, and acting, joining the kids pop group Din-Din at the age of 9.

By the point “Thank God” was playing on radios throughout Latin America, she had already established herself as a global sensation, having performed with the pop group Timbiriche alongside future Latin stars Paulina Rubio, Erik Rubín and Benny Ibarra. Her ascension included three successful solo albums, and roles in telenovelas, including “Quinceañera,” “Luz y Sombra” and her career-defining Marías trilogy — “María Mercedes,” “Marimar” and “María la del Barrio” — all by the age of 23.

Over the subsequent years, Thalía’s life unfolded like a series of captivating soap opera plots, featuring events such as the kidnapping of two sisters and a long-term relationship with her manager, who was not only her manager but also the son of a previous Mexican president, starting at age 17, he being 38. There was also the story about undergoing rib removal surgery for cosmetic reasons, but the singer seemed to debunk those claims through an Instagram post in 2014. Six years after that, she tied the knot with music executive Tommy Mottola in a grand New York City wedding, marking a delightful conclusion to her story.

Originally penned by Gabriel for his 1989 telenovela “Luz y Sombra” and performed as a ballad, the song “Gracias a Dios” was later reimagined and remixed for “En Éxtasis.” This revamped version transformed into an upbeat pop track with ska influences, featuring background vocalists chanting “wah-yo wah-yo wah-ya,” encouraging some lively skanking. The song shares a similar spirit with Paris Hilton’s “Stars Are Blind” and Gwen Stefani’s work, both as a solo artist and with No Doubt – two undeniably catchy tunes in my opinion.

In a music video helmed by Benny Corral, the storyline is reimagined to align with the song itself. Thalía, playing the lead character, expresses her heartfelt appreciation for the love in her life, a sentiment she’s longed for and feels blessed that they both lived during the same era, thanks to divine intervention. The track was initially released while Thalía was starring as the romantic lead opposite Fernando Colunga in “María la del Barrio” in 1995, amplifying the song’s popularity.

However, in the video, Corral and Thalia transform their heartfelt adoration for divine love into a song of intense passion that resonates universally. It’s the kind of love that might inspire you to don a F.A.B. wig and corset, abduct a man to a rain-soaked warehouse, and subject him to a sensual punishment. This is the path Thalia has consistently followed in her career, skillfully merging innocence with seduction, thereby creating her unique image as a playful flirt.

She developed a captivating on-screen persona and portrayed innocent characters in soap operas, exuding a seductive yet playful charm. However, through her music and visuals, Thalía deliberately challenged this image, using the opportunity to transform herself from a woman expressing and accepting her sexuality, but more significantly, a woman taking control of her own choices. In a 2023 Billboard interview, she reminisced: “When I went solo, I took full responsibility for my music videos, the production, and composition. Remember, I spent many years under the soap opera regime: ‘Stand here, stand there.’ I was drowning in instructions.

The phrase “Gracias a Dios” indicates gratitude towards God, but in this context, it seems to be expressing thanks for an awakening into a realm of dominance as depicted in the videos, which shares a resemblance with provocative tendencies against Catholic culture, similar to how Madonna, a contemporary artist, did during her time. Her style, use of religious symbols, and the “Express Yourself” video’s industrial setting appear to have been echoed here.

In a common strategy among ambitious female artists seeking adult recognition, Madonna paved the way for many others by integrating sexuality deeply into her artistic expression, viewing it as a reflection of her own human experiences. This approach resonated worldwide, inspiring artists like Thalía to adopt a more provocative image during the sexually-charged ’90s culture. Thalía, in particular, showcased her playful spirit by replicating Madonna’s cone bra look with metal bras adorned with faucets, miniature guitars, and other accessories.

I must say, even before the infamous release, she had ventured into explicit realms. The 1990 pop-rock single “A Pact Between Us” from her self-titled debut album stirred quite a storm for its sadomasochistic lyrics: “Kill it / hurt it / punish it / share your passion.

In an interview with Forbes in 2020, the entertainer noted that her unique style, characterized by a candid discussion on topics like sexuality, was present from her debut album. This unconventional approach for women, as she put it, led to some of her songs being considered too explicit and therefore banned on the radio. She explained that these lyrics, which focused on sexual themes, were meant to express the feelings of young girls at the time, even though they were ahead of their time and not widely accepted then.

She consistently incorporated sexual themes into her music, with tracks such as “Amor a la Mexicana,” an ode to sensual seduction in a Mexican style, and the exotic-themed jam “Piel Morena.” These songs sparked some awkward discussions during interviews with male TV hosts. Notably, “Gracias a Dios” received criticism from conservative groups, but it still became popular and even got an English version, albeit not as successful.

In a 1996 conversation with Cristina Saralegui, the talk-show host inquired if Thalía might have pushed boundaries too much with the video. To this, the singer explained that she aimed to present an image never seen before from her, something “bolder” and more “assertive.” This was particularly significant following the release of the “María” series, which had a more innocent theme.

She shared, smiling, “They perceive me as either sweet, vulnerable, or tearful. So, I decided to switch things up. And it seemed to make an impression, didn’t it?” It certainly did, she added emphatically.

Additionally, she expressed having two distinct personas – the actress embodying fairytale heroines, triumphing over poverty and adversity for a happy ending, and the musician striving for innovation. Breaking down those rigid barriers had a profound effect on girls like myself who were conditioned to mute ourselves into an oppressive notion of what goodness entailed. However, by conveying this message with conviction, self-awareness, and a touch of playful charm, Thalía crafted a life and career that mirrors her authentic self, earning global adoration along the way.

In Latin America, women and celebrities often face a narrow stereotype, being labeled either as virtuous Madonnas or immoral vixens. This duality leaves women’s choices both alluring and scandalous within a flawed, misogynistic framework. Thalía defied this norm by demonstrating that angels can be sensual, that women can embody multiple roles, and that embracing one’s complexity is not only acceptable but also something to be admired. In fact, it can be enjoyable! With “Gracias a Dios,” we have a song that questions this very division and offers the opportunity for women to live beyond these limitations.

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2024-11-08 01:33