Don't Let This Moment End

"Don't Let This Moment End" is a 1998 song by Cuban-American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan. It was released on November 3, 1998 by Epic Records, as the third single in the United States, the third in the United Kingdom, and her fourth globally, from her eighth album, '' Gloria!''. The song was written by Estefan, her husband Emilio Estefan, Lawrence Dermer and Roberto Blades and produced by Estefan Jr. and Dermer. It became a smash hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play chart in the U.S., almost peaking at the top of charts for that field. The song also peaked at number 9 in Spain and was a Top 30 hit in the UK. It was first a ballad and then remixed into a dance-ballad. According to Gloria, it celebrates the perfect moment in time. The track was nominated for a Grammy Music Award, but lost to " Believe" by Cher. "Don't Let This Moment End" also appears on two of Estefan's compilation albums; '' The Very Best of Gloria Estefan'' in 2006 and '' The Essential Gloria Estefan'' in 2006.

Song history

"Don't Let This Moment End" was written by Emilio and Gloria Estefan with Lawrence Dermer and Rubén Blades, and produced by Estefan Jr., Dermer and Tony Moran. It was released on November 3, 1998 in two languages; English and French. The title of the song in French is "Que Ça Ne Finisse Jamais" ("May it Never End") and is only available on the European edition of the album as a bonus track. The song was actually first recorded as a ballad, but then it was remixed into a dance-ballad by Pablo Flores. The ballad version can be found on the CD maxi releases. Thematically, the track celebrates the perfect moment in time. The moment you want to last forever. It has been remixed for clubs by the likes of Paul Andrews, Hex Hector, Messy Boys, Mousse T. and Steven Nikolas. Estefan was nominated for the second consecutive time for a Grammy Music Award for "Best Dance Recording" with the single, but lost to Cher's smash hit " Believe". Estefan performed "Don't Let This Moment End" on the American daytime variety television talk show ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show'' in 1999.

The B-side to the single was the "70's Moment Medley" recorded especially for this single release, on which Estefan sang covers of disco songs. On that medley Estefan included: "I Thought It Took a Little Time", " If I Can't Have You", "This Time Baby", "Don't Leave Me This Way", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "Don't Let This Moment End".

On June 3, 2022, Estefan released the "Don't Let This Moment End" EP to all digital and streaming outlets.

Critical reception

Quentin Harrison from Albumism described the song as "modern disco". J.D. Considine from ''The Baltimore Sun'' said that "15 years ago", Donna Summer "would have killed for a single as strong". Gregg Shapiro from ''Bay Area Reporter'' noted that it "have a retro-disco feel". Ben Wener from ''Beaver County Times'' stated that "the thumping 180 bpm reyielding perfectly to the hyperactive melodrama" in "Don't Let This Moment End". Chuck Taylor from '' Billboard'' described the song as "wildly joyous with a series of immediate musical hooks", and an "inspirational ode to the beauty of that perfect moment in time and should quickly reignite radio interest in this deservedly enduring artist." The Daily Vault's Alfredo Narvaez said it is a "very pretty" song. ''Ealing Leader'' stated that Estefan "could have another hit on her hands". Steve Morse from '' The Hour'' noted the "positive messages amid vintage dance beats". Joey Guerra from ''Houston Chronicle'' said that it "rides an urgent wave of unabashed glitter-ball drama." Michael Paoletta of ''Billboard'' commented that the album "never lost momentum. It's as if Estefan took the album's third single, "Don't Let This Moment End", to heart."

Music video

The music video of "Don't Let This Moment End" premiered on November 3, 1998 and was directed by Argentinian director Gustavo Garzon. It features Estefan as a disco diva at a nightclub, reminiscent of the famed Studio 54. In the video she appears in three different styles and looks.

In the beginning Estefan is seen arriving at the club in a limousine. Photographers outside the club are waiting for her and she poses for them in a diva manner. At the same time a mysterious man with black sunglasses is entering. Inside the club Estefan starts singing, with a '70s disco look including big teased hair. People are dancing everywhere around her. There are disco balls and soap bubbles. In the middle of the video she wears a golden dress and her hair is shortened a bit. The man with sunglasses is seen in the crowd of dancing people and apparently Estefan is looking for him, but they never appear together in the video. Towards the end of the video Estefan again changes her look, appearing in a sleeveless dress. Sparkling rays of laser are lighting up the club. The man leaves and Estefan is seen leaving the club shortly after. Again she poses for the photographers waiting outside.

Track listing

Charts

Covers

*The song was covered by Dj Carlos Gallardo with vocals of Rebeka Brow in 2009, their version went to the Spanish chart to the Top Ten, surpassing Estefan's original version.

References

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1998 songs
1998 singles
1999 singles
Gloria Estefan songs
Dance-pop songs
House music songs
Songs written by Emilio Estefan
Songs written by Gloria Estefan
Epic Records singles