How Does Manny Pacquiao Have A Song At The Top Of The Billboard Charts?
Right now, Manny Pacquiao has something that Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, Drake, and Young Jeezy don’t—a slot near the top of the Billboard charts.
That’s noteworthy, of course, because all five of those artists are, well, artists, while Pacquiao is an athlete. And in recent times, athletes have enjoyed little to no success in creating songs that reach the charts at all, let alone the top of the charts. But somehow, someway, Pacquiao has managed to ride out the success of his song, “Sometimes When We Touch”—a remake of singer/songwriter Dan Hill‘s 1977 song—to No. 7 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart. So, how the hell did it happen?
Well, it actually started out as a joke. Pacquiao—who is still in negotiations to fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr. at some point in 2012—performed “Sometimes When We Touch” on Jimmy Kimmel Live back in 2009. Though Pacquaio sang the song seriously and seemed to be trying his hardest to convince people that he was taking it seriously, Kimmel’s crowd and the millions of people who watched the video online laughed their asses off when they saw Pacquiao up on stage singing. You can see the performance here:
Pacquiao’s foray into music probably would have stopped there. But Hill himself reached out to Pacquiao shortly after seeing him on Kimmel to tell him that he enjoyed the performance. The following year, they met in person at a hotel in New York. “It was like hanging out with Elvis meets Muhammad Ali,” Hill told FOX Sports recently.
Their meeting led to an agreement between the two to work together, specifically on a remake of “Sometimes When We Touch” that would include a song, a video, and a documentary. Late last year, Pacquiao took breaks in training for his fight with Antonio Margarito to meet with Hill at Capital Studios in Los Angeles to record “Sometimes When We Touch.” And thanks to a well-placed mention in an HP ad that Pacquiao did recently, it’s taken off—much to the surprise of everyone, including Hill.
“Even if you’re Katy Perry or Justin Bieber, you have to work radio like crazy,” says Hill. “He hasn’t been doing interviews or big publicity events. So it’s even more strange that this can be happening. It’s just unheard of.”
It’s especially “unheard of” when you consider all of the other athletes that have tried to find a place in music. From Allen Iverson and Ron Artest to Deion Sanders and Chris Johnson, there have been plenty of them that have tried and inevitably failed. But Pacquiao is succeeding, because: A) He chose to hold his coming out party in the world of music by singing a familiar song that immediately resonates with people, and B) He chose to attack a genre of music that most athletes shy away from. It’s a formula that’s proved to be a winning one for Pacquiao.
Does this mean he’s an artist now? Hardly. We’d be surprised if “Sometimes When We Touch” doesn’t end up as the peak of Pacquiao’s music career. But it does keep his name in the headlines for a few more months while we all wait for more news about his fight with Mayweather. And if you don’t think Mayweather’s waiting in the wings and listening to “Sometimes When We Touch” to get a little more ammo to make the fight happen, you’re crazy.
Almost as crazy as anyone who believed Manny Pacquiao had a real chance at becoming a pop star. Well done, Manny.
With about 100 million Filipinos worlwide, there’s maybe 90 million that can sing better than Manny ( joke, joke)…With that said, Manny is serious about his singing, and more power to him…
I think his boxing fans are buying this record as a collector’s item, much like the first album for Arnel Pineda and Journey…of course, Arnel and Journey has gone on to prove that they might last several years….
Keep doing it Manny….stay humble, and continue to serve your constituents….
Hey, Manny Pacquaio got a great back up from upstairs, can’t beat that. Well the guys is very inspirational he does it to get some resources to help other people. Good for him and for everyone else who shares his blessing.
I can sing better than Manny.
I’m proud of him, I am his fan in boxing but not in singing. I was surprised with the outcome of the album but still I am not here to say he’s a bad singer and people who bought his album has a bad taste of music, maybe he is just lucky in so many ways.
In Manny’s case it shows to prove that what is essential is invisible to his voice for it his heart that sings and touches us sometimes more than Hill of curiousness but amusement…and made us smile that his voice can also box.
my erector muscles got stiff at the last part
i’m proud to be Filipino like Manny Pacquiao!!!
Manny is an established recording artist in the Philippines having 2 albums to his credit before he sang “Sometimes When We Touch”. He has no problem in hitting the right notes and he has a good sense of timing because he has God endowed talent in singing. The only problem with Manny’s singing is his diction but with Mr Dan Hill and his American vocal directors around during his session it could be easily cured, and, listening to his piece, it was cured apparently. I will not be surprised if the song will continue climbing the Billboard chart as his fight with Mayweather nears. This is my 2 cents prediction as I have been in music business for quite sometime.
this is great because maybe a rare in history. pacquiao does sing well because it is not about how good your voice is sometimes just look how his face and emotion behind that which you give him A+ of mixing his something true and emotional when he sings his song. well pacquiao should think any alternative career after he hangs up his gloves. two thumbs up man.
a lot of people miss the fact that a song performed with your heart makes a big difference…the PACMAN sings most with his heart than the quality of his voice. if its becoming a hit and climbing the chart then maybe most of us who critics his singing voice knew less than the people who actually bought his record. kudos Manny. you made millions of Filipinos proud.
Everyone of us knows that Manny is not really a singer,but he can sing his heart out..he’s not really a musician,but he can play some piano and a little guitar..he’s not really a businessman,but he’s got lots of businesses..he’s not a lawyer,but he’s a lawmaker back in the Philippines..I think people buy his record not because he’s got a golden voice,but because Manny makes a positive statement, and that’s a statement of HOPE, of honest WORK, PERSEVERANCE and COURAGE,that leads to success. He’s like telling everyone..YES,YOU CAN!!
As Pete Townshend had said..”It’s not the song but the singer that makes the music moves along”.
Manny is GIFTED. he is the Best in all category…SPORTS,Show business,even in Politics etc..In Sports his the best in BOXING,Billiard,Shooting,and basketball.Show Business best in acting dancing and Singing..You know what’s behind all of this? Because he believe in God..he believe in Jesus Christ..that’s Manny secret POWER..
@Allan…Very well said, bro. You said exactly i have in mind. This will encourage people that they can do anything if they put their mind into it. You do not have to have a great voice, but kudos to Manny as he did what he likes to do and that is all that matters. If people supports him, great! If not, i am sure he will be fine with it, at least he does what he likes to do. He might not have a great voice but he likes to sing and he just loves music. He doesn’t only sing but he plays piano and guitar as well. He shows that everything is possible, it is all about hope, faith and determination. And also he is a great guy and so he gets a lot of support. Who is a boxer in the history of boxing who is so loved by his people so much? He is a global icon but the support from his people is just amazing!
Sorry, typo…i meant..what i have in mind.
Would it be even more funny if on the Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs Victor Oztiz fight, Ortiz would choose to use as a ring entrance the Pacquiao “Sometimes when we touch” song. Now that would be one hell of a entrance song to irritate Mayweather.
Estive muitos anos em Portugal e agora que estou no Brasil sinto falta das novelas Portuguesas… Voltarei ao vosso blog na esperan?a de encontrar mais novidades sobre a novela.