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1

 What is an adaptation?

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   Song Adaptation is a specialized niche within songwriting. It's the art of making a song work effectively in a different language. It’s not the same as translation. In fact, it’s much more complex. Even when words share the same meaning across languages, they usually sound different. This often disrupts rhyming patterns. On top of that, different word lengths and syllable counts can throw off the phrasing and flow of the melody. Adapting a song means finding a way to say something differently, while still honoring the original’s meaning and musicality. It's a balancing act between two powerful forces: A) The literal translation, which aims to preserve meaning, and B) the sound and rhythm, which fight to preserve the feel and identity of the original song. These elements, meaning, rhythm, rhyme, are what give a song its unique personality. A strong adaptation brings them into harmony.

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2

 Why adapt songs?

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   Adapting a song into another language opens the door to new audiences, markets, and revenue streams, especially for hits or classic, timeless catalogs that already enjoy global recognition. A successful adaptation gives a song the chance to resonate in a new cultural context. For beloved classics, it can offer a fresh experience to listeners who already know the original, this time, in their own native language. That emotional connection can be powerful. Adapted versions can also spark renewed interest in a catalog, increasing the potential for placements in film, TV, and advertising (sync opportunities). In today’s global music landscape, having multilingual versions of a song can be both an artistic asset and a smart publishing strategy. Beyond the commercial impact, professionally done adaptations breathe new life into music. They create bridges between cultures, allowing lyrics and melodies to speak directly to the hearts of more people, all without losing the soul of the original.

 

  3

What goes into a professional adaptation?

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   There are many techniques and schools of thought when it comes to adapting a song, but for Cris Zalles, the guiding principle is simple: respect the original. Every adaptation is shaped by the need to honor the original meaning, melody, lyrical style, timing, hook, flow, phrasing, and rhyming structure. That means Cris doesn’t simply translate lyrics or force words into a melody at the cost of the song’s intent. He doesn't alter the composition just to make a literal translation "fit." Instead, he finds new ways to express the same message, thoughtfully, creatively, and in harmony with the songwriter’s original vision. This deep commitment to both artistry and precision is what sets his adaptations apart, and why artists, producers, and publishers trust him with their most meaningful work.

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4

   How does an adaptation fall within copyright law?

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   An adapted song is considered a derivative work and must be registered with the copyright office. While we don’t handle the legal process directly, Cris and his team can provide expert advice to help clients navigate the specifics of adaptation rights and ensure full protection when needed.

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5

 Experience

   In addition to his career as a songwriter, artist, and producer, Cris began writing professional adaptations in 1994. In fact, his first hit was an adaptation. The song Vida by Spanish artist Marcos Llunas, was adapted from Italian for Universal Music (Polygram) and it reached Billboard #1 in Mexico as well as charting top 20s in countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Spain. Since then, Cris has worked on numerous song adaptations of global artists like Sting, George Michael, Foreigner, Ed Sheeran, Eric Clapton, Ace of Base, Nick Jonas, Rihanna, David Bisbal, REM, INXS, Diego Torres, Santana, Plain White T’s, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty, and many more.