After a five-year hiatus from recording an all-Spanish album, Ricky Martin is poised to return with a bang. The No. 1 debut of his new single, "Tal Vez" (Perhaps), on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart marks the first time that list has seen a No. 1 debut since Feb. 7, 1998, when Los Temerarios' "Porque Te Conoci" (Why Did I Meet You) bowed in the top slot.
"Tal Vez" also debuted at No. 1 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart and at No. 4 on the Tropical Airplay chart. Martin's album "Las Almas del Silencio" (The Souls of Silence) is due May 20 on Sony Discos.
"I feel like the first day ... excited and thankful to everyone who's collaborated in this project," Martin told Billboard by phone from Brazil, where he was filming his second video. "And thankful to radio and the audience for their backing. We'll continue to support our roots," he added, referring to his return to Spanish-language recording.
"Tal Vez" was penned by Venezuelan singer/songwriter Franco de Vita, who wrote "Vuelve" (Come Back), the title track of Martin's last Spanish album. Martin's longtime manager, Angelo Medina, says, "We asked Franco for a song because he's a composer that knows Ricky well; they have a connection."
Martin came close to debuting at No. 1 in 1999, when "Livin' la Vida Loca" (Livin' the Crazy Life) entered at No. 2 on the Hot Latin Tracks tally (it was No. 1 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.) It eventually spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Latin Tracks chart and also spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Tal Vez" also debuted at No. 1 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart and at No. 4 on the Tropical Airplay chart. Martin's album "Las Almas del Silencio" (The Souls of Silence) is due May 20 on Sony Discos.
"I feel like the first day ... excited and thankful to everyone who's collaborated in this project," Martin told Billboard by phone from Brazil, where he was filming his second video. "And thankful to radio and the audience for their backing. We'll continue to support our roots," he added, referring to his return to Spanish-language recording.
"Tal Vez" was penned by Venezuelan singer/songwriter Franco de Vita, who wrote "Vuelve" (Come Back), the title track of Martin's last Spanish album. Martin's longtime manager, Angelo Medina, says, "We asked Franco for a song because he's a composer that knows Ricky well; they have a connection."
Martin came close to debuting at No. 1 in 1999, when "Livin' la Vida Loca" (Livin' the Crazy Life) entered at No. 2 on the Hot Latin Tracks tally (it was No. 1 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.) It eventually spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Latin Tracks chart and also spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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