Throwback Thursday 2/25 – Save Your Love from the Ship of Oblivion

This week we’re traveling back in time to 1970 Mexico. Jose Jose is undoubtedly in the pantheon of most important and influential Mexican artists of all-time. His career spanned more than 6 decades and left us with some of the most iconic songs in Latin music history.

El Principe de la Cancion

Jose Jose (born Jose Romulo Sosa Ortiz) began his musical career as a teenager. His family was filled with musicians. He started his musical career by playing in jazz and bossa nova groups. By 1967, he wanted to go solo. His stage name was derived from his first name Jose, and his father’s first name, also Jose. He felt that he had inherited his voice from his father and decided to pay tribute with his stage name. His career exceled between the early 70s and late 80s. He was given the nickname “El Principe de la Cancion” or, The Prince of Song. His legendary style and talent inspired a generation of artists such as Marc Anthony, Vicente Fernandez, and Chayanne.

By the early 90s, it had become evident that years of constant stress on his voice and heavy drinking were taking their toll. Alcoholism was unfortunately a recurring theme throughout his life and career. His career suffered as a result and he released his last album in 2001. He performed only occasionally for the next decade or so before his final show in 2012. He died at the age of 71 in September 2019 of pancreatic cancer.

La Nave de Olvido

I would consider La Nave Del Olvido to be Jose Jose’s second biggest hit after El Triste (a song we talked about here). This song was not intended for him originally, but he fought the record label for it and used it to launch his career. La Nave del Olvido, off an album of the same name, was Jose Jose’s first hit and his first step into superstardom.

This song is a plea for one not to leave. La Nave del Olvido (which translates to the Ship of Oblivion) is a metaphor for the place of timelessness and nothingness where old loves go to die. Jose tells his loved one that before their relationship takes a ride on this ship, he has so much more to offer. With each step, he tells her to wait and to come back with a new plea in each verse. It’s really a heartbreaking song about desperately trying to hold together a relationship, that is probably already over. It’s delivered with the bravado and technical excellence that only Jose Jose can really provide.

From 1970, La Nave del Olvido

Bonus – Il Volo’s cover from

Double bonus – Julio Iglesias’s pop cover

P.S.: If anyone can point me in the direction of Jose Jose vinyl records, you’ll have my deepest appreciation. If you have any to sell yourself, hit me up.