Howie Dorough’s new Spanish-language solo single, “Coqui,” is the first taste of a new project featuring Backstreet Boys hits redone in Spanish with Latin arrangements.
“The fans really triggered me in wanting to do this,” the BSB member tells ABC Audio. “Because people would always say to me, ‘I learned English because I wanted to understand your music.’ And I’m like, ‘You know what? They did that for me. … Why don’t I work on learning Spanish?"”
“And I feel like it’s a great way for me to show my pride in being Puerto Rican, and also to continue the culture [for] my kids.”
Howie did study Spanish in school, but his plans to live with a family in Mexico and become fluent were derailed by, he jokes, “a little group called the Backstreet Boys.” So he worked with a co-writer from the Dominican Republic to adapt the songs, including “I Want It That Way” and “As Long as You Love Me.” He says the rest of the guys are “very supportive” of the project.
“Coqui,” one of the new, original songs also featured on the album, is named after the native frog of Puerto Rico. “You hear this frog at night making this beautiful sound,” he says. “People sometimes leave their windows open just to hear the sound … it’s one of those sounds that even when you leave the island, it doesn’t leave you.”
Meanwhile, Howie and the Boys resume their Into the Millennium residency at Sphere Las Vegas on July 16. Those dates are set to end Aug. 29, but will there be more?
“I mean, I can only hope for that. Right now, there’s nothing on the horizon planned yet, but we will always keep the door open,” says Howie. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed, because that Sphere is no joke.”
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