Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download MP3
Finally, in our Global Hit today is from a Spanish singer who was thought to be a flash in the pan after her successful first recording. But as The World’s Marco Werman tells us, some pop stars work better when they take the time to create.

Her name is Bebe. Five years ago, she gained international renown with her debut album, “Pafuera Telaranas.” The critics took note. And before you knew it, Bebe was given the Latin Grammy for best new artist in 2005. But then it seemed as if stardom was too big a change for Bebe.

A year after her Grammy victory, Bebe announced that her debut album would also be her farewell album. Many thought they’d never hear from her again. Apparently though, Bebe just needed to breathe and do things at her own pace, not the pace the music business demanded of her.

So she recently released a new CD, again getting the attention of critics who like her strong lyrics and her assertive rocker voice. The new disk is called “Y punto” — the letter Y with a dot. Translated into English, it would be something like “and period.”

This is the track “La Bicha.” Bebe recorded the new album with the same musicians she worked with on her first one. They are clearly skilled at crafting the kind of pop music that made Bebe a number one star on the charts in Spain and Mexico.

Bebe calls these musicians her family. The 31 year-old knows what it’s like to have a show-business family. Bebe’s own mother and father were part of a well-known Spanish folk ensemble when she was growing up.

And they fed her desire to perform…both as a singer and as an actor. Bebe actively pursued both tracks in the 1990s. On her recording “Y.” Bebe at times even morphs her two professional lives.

And when her band and the sonic production tricks slip into the background, you can hear how comfortable Bebe can be…on her own and on her own terms.

For The World, I’m Marco Werman.

CD information:
Audio CD (July 14, 2009)
Original Release Date: 2009
Number of Discs: 1
Label: EMI Televisa Music
ASIN: B002C39SWY