Jose Feliciano released “Feliz Navidad” in 1970, but he did not expect it to become the popular classic it is today. The track, which he recorded in just ten minutes, is currently among Spotify’s top ten most streamed holiday classics.
Jose is now 79 and admits that he never thought “Feliz Navidad” would be loved so widely in a million years. He credits the simple tune and the message of love in the song for its global appeal, noting that the world needs unity now more than ever.
What inspired Christmas music hit ‘Feliz Navidad?’
Jose said “Feliz Navidad” was inspired by the Boogie Down, which he was familiar with while growing up in Spanish Harlem and the Bronx with 10 brothers. It reminded him of the Christmas holidays back home in Puerto Rico, then New York and the Bronx before his move to California, where he recorded in track in minutes.
“Feliz Navidad” became popular beyond the United States, with fans as far as South Africa, Japan, Korea, Turkey, China, Israel, the South Pacific islands, Australia, Europe, and so on. The three-minute-long song has taken Jose to more than 100 countries, where he is often asked to perform it.
The singer behind ‘Feliz Navidad’ was born blind
Unknown to most fans, Jose was born blind; however, he thinks his disability does not matter because it does not affect his music. Despite his visual impairment, Jose learned to play the guitar at Lighthouse for the Blind on East 59th Street in Midtown.
Shortly after, he started performing at Greenwich Village until his hit song. Jose has other international hits in his catalog, including “Affirmation,” his version of the Doors’ “Light My Fire,” and others. He was also honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fam,e after which the city of New York named a performing arts school after him.