Maria Elena (María Elena) is a Spanish-language Mexican bolero written by Lorenzo Barcelata Castro (1898-1943), who is credited as both composer and lyricist. It is a popular song from 1932, published by Peer International Corporation of Mexico. The earliest recording listed is by Pedro Vargas with orchestra, from 1933, released as the single “Languidez”. English lyrics were later written by Bob Russell.
Among the most widely known versions are those by Nat King Cole (1958), Jim Reeves (1958), Los Indios Tabajaras (1958), Xavier Cugat (1961), Percy Faith (1961) and Marty Robbins (1966). The Los Indios Tabajaras recording became a Top 40 hit in the Netherlands in 1965, and several of the best-known versions date from the late 1950s and early 1960s.
