The song also topped the charts in Spain, Switzerland, the Philippines, Romania, Ireland and Canada. In Australia, the song reached number one on the ARIA Chart, becoming his first number-one in that country. In April 2015, it was announced that the song had sold 1 million copies in the UK. With sales of 836,500, "Hero" was the 17th best-selling single of the 2000s in the UK.
"Hero" was seen as his breakthrough in the UK and it became the third best-selling single of 2002 there, whilst Escape was also the third best-selling album of the year. Up to this point, Iglesias had already had two hits in the UK ("Bailamos" and "Could I Have This Kiss Forever") but was largely unknown. In January 2002, the song was released in the UK, where it debuted at number 86 before jumping 85 places to number one, where it remained for four weeks. A remixed recording also topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in January 2002. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, though it is actually his most played song on the chart, outdoing prior singles " Bailamos" and " Be with You", both of which went to number one on the chart. On the latter, the song would re-enter the top ten a year later, the first song ever to do so. "Hero" topped many charts in the US including the Billboard adult contemporary chart for fifteen weeks. He had performed the song earlier at that year's Miss Venezuela, but due to the terrorist attacks the show was not aired on television. It was Iglesias's first televised performance of the song. The location of the warehouse was kept secret in case of further attacks. His performance was broadcast from a warehouse in New York alongside Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Sheryl Crow. Iglesias was also asked to sing the song live at the America: A Tribute to Heroes benefit concert, which took place on 21 September. Due to the song's subject matter, it was one of the few songs chosen by radio DJs in New York City to be remixed with audio from police, firefighters, civilians at Ground Zero, and politicians commenting on the attacks. "Hero" was first released on 3 September 2001, just eight days prior to the 11 September attacks on the World Trade Center. I thought I know there is something special in this song." During a 2013 radio interview with Ryan Seacrest, he stated, "I went back to when I was 17 in high school, and this might be cheesy, but I thought about what would be the song I want to slow dance to with my prom date.
Iglesias stated that his high school days were the inspiration for the song. "Hero" has a meaning of love and assurance with a desire to be a hero for the love of a woman.
An Italian version of this song was covered by Micheal Castaldo, in his studio album Bergamot. The main vocals were done by Chord Overstreet (playing the character Sam Evans). The release from the twelfth episode (called " The Spanish Teacher") in season 3 of the show is named "Bambolero/Hero".
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The American television series Glee featured a version of the song as a mashup mixed with the Gipsy Kings' " Bamboléo". Iglesias was asked to sing the song live at America: A Tribute to Heroes. To the date the single has sold over 8 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best selling singles of all time.Īfter the 11 September attacks on the World Trade Center, which took place eight days after the single was released, "Hero" was one of the few songs chosen by radio DJs in New York City to be remixed with audio from police, firefighters, civilians at Ground Zero, and politicians commenting on the attacks. Interscope Records released the song on 3 September 2001 to a positive critical and commercial reception. It was written by Iglesias, Paul Barry and Mark Taylor. " Hero" is a song by Spanish singer-songwriter Enrique Iglesias from his second English-language studio album Escape (2001).