My little dive into ‘Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps’
Okay, so the other day, I had Doris Day’s version of “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” rattling around in my brain. Couldn’t shake it. It’s just got that smooth, kinda questioning vibe, right? Anyway, it got me thinking – surely other folks must have sung this tune? I mean, it sounds like a classic standard.
So, I started digging around a bit. Fired up my usual music spots online, just typed in the title. First thing I realized, which I guess I kinda knew but never really thought about, was that the Doris Day one wasn’t the original original.
Finding the Roots
Turns out, it started life as a Cuban song in Spanish, called “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás”. Found some really old recordings. The feel is totally different, much more… I dunno, authentically Latin? Less big band, more intimate maybe. It was cool hearing where it came from. The melody’s the same, obviously, but the whole mood shifts with the language and the older instrumentation.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Once I knew about the Spanish original, I started looking for other covers, both English and Spanish. And man, there are a LOT. It was actually kinda surprising. I just kept listening to one after another.
- Found a version by a kinda quirky rock band. Very different vibe, super deadpan delivery. Almost sarcastic? Totally flipped the song’s feeling.
- Then there was this operatic guy, Andrea Bocelli. Big voice, very dramatic. Made it sound huge and serious.
- Stumbled across one by that Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell. More modern pop, kinda sassy.
- Loads of other Latin artists doing the Spanish version, some sounding very traditional, others more modern jazzy takes.
- Even found some instrumental versions, focusing just on that catchy melody.
Comparing Notes
It was pretty fun lining them all up in my head, or sometimes playing one right after the other. Doris Day’s is still probably the most famous English one, very much of its time, smooth and polished. The original “Quizás” has that undeniable Cuban rhythm. The rock one was interesting because it played against the original’s coyness. Bocelli made it epic. Each one brought something totally different to the table.
Honestly, I didn’t do anything fancy. Just made a quick mental list, sometimes jotted down a name if a version really stuck out. Spent a good hour or so just exploring these different takes.
It’s funny how one simple song can be interpreted in so many ways, you know? Different languages, different styles, different feelings. From playful to dramatic to sarcastic. Just a neat little journey starting from that earworm Doris Day tune. Makes you appreciate how versatile a good melody can be.
