“I blocked you for Insta / But I see your stories on another account / I deleted your number / I don’t know why, I know it by heart”. La Bachata, a song by Colombian Manuel Turizo, continues to be one of the most listened to songs on the global Spotify chart in mid-March. His chronicle of heartbreak, disturbed by the inconveniences of the virtual world typical of Generation Z, sounds during one of the jealousy and breakup stories on La isla de last tentaciones (Telecinco). Its lyrics and melodies accompany the actions of the young participants, separated by couples in two luxury villas in the Dominican Republic.
“Season after season we try to adapt to fashion and keep up to date with current music,” stressed the general manager of his production company Cuarzo, Juanra Gonzalo, by telephone in mid-January. It’s an essential aspect of the narrative. They play those songs that the protagonists of the story would hear on their mobile phones instead of on TV if they were in their neighborhood. And thanks to them, the program team sets the tone for every moment. For this sixth season, currently airing every Monday, Vicco’s cheerful Nochentera, one of Benidorm Fest audiences’ favorites, resounds at party times; Quiero decirte by Ana Mena and Abraham Mateo illustrates the emotion of losing a loved one; and Cotton Candy by Chema Rivas represents the sweetest and most sensual. The Spotify hit list that compiles the tunes that sound in these chapters has more than 56,000 followers, although those of previous seasons have exceeded 75,000.
One of the great successes of the Cuarzo format presented by Sandra Barneda, in addition to the good audience it has registered for Telecinco and Cuatro since its first season, is the enormous social conversation it generates on the Internet. His official Instagram account has more than 1.1 million followers. AND those on twitter It already has more than 273,000 users. A recurring joke of viewers when commenting on what’s happening online is the so-called DJ of La isla de las temptaciones and the careful selection of music that appeals to even the youngest viewer, the most coveted by advertisers. Praised by the influencer Ibai plainusers enjoy listening to their most admired artists and even making public inquiries, just like in the great days of radio.
The one who brings the music to Temptation Island is the damn DJ we all deserve when we party
— Jairo (@JairoRrdrigz) January 16, 2020
Behind the musical selection is the work of executive production and direction of the program, although members of the production team are responsible with Vicente Peña for recording the songs for each chapter. They are the ones who decide which melody should accompany each moment of the action, explains the programmer. Until the moment of defiance arrives for this edition of The Island of Temptations, the already famous Shakira and Bizarrap BZRP Music Sessions #53, dedicated to the annotated breakup between the Colombian singer and soccer player Gerard Piqué, will almost certainly appear the Scene, says Gonzalo jokingly.
The problem also brings direct economic benefits to space. If the title of the song being played and the name of the artist appear on the screen, this means that it is a collaboration paid for by a record company and not a free choice of the show’s crew. And there are artists like Omar Montes (Solo), Ruenda (former contestant Andreu with Tentadora) and the band Lérica (Alarmas) who refer to the program in the lyrics of some of their songs, thus ensuring their presence on the acclaimed music list.
This symbiosis is not just about a commercial aspect, emphasizes the director general of the production company. Music and its connection to young people has been an integral part of the story since the conception of the format and in the first discussions with the group that broadcasts it, Mediaset, and the production company Cuarzo. “The public has recognized that this is a sign of identity, thanks and celebrates it. It puts the viewer at the center of the story that its protagonists are living,” says Gonzalo. “Those of us who make The Island of Temptations have always been paying close attention to these comments on the networks, and we knew the success of this music selection. But during the pandemic, we understood that the audience appreciated this party music atmosphere the most, without being able to leave their house and with closed bars,” he emphasizes. “It’s a pleasure because, although it doesn’t look like it, it’s a very thoughtful and measured work,” he says.
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