Written and produced by Gabriel, the song's lyrics focus on a protagonist learning the meaning of suffering after meeting a lover who mistreats him.
The song has been recorded by several artists including Roberto del Castillo, Ana Gabriel, Marc Anthony, Raúl di Blasio, and Maná.
Anthony covered the song on his debut studio album Otra Nota (1993) after hearing it on the radio during a taxi ride.
Gabriel received an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Latin award in 1994 and in 2013 for Anthony's and Maná's covers of the song.
[9] On the week of December 26, 1986, "Hasta Que Te Conocí" debuted at number thirty-nine on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.
In 1993, American recording artist Marc Anthony covered "Hasta Que Te Conocí" on his debut studio album Otra Nota.
During a taxi ride, Anthony heard Gabriel's "Hasta Que Te Conocí" on the radio and was compelled to perform the song in salsa.
[17] This led to an agreement between Mercado and Anthony to record an album in salsa with a cover of "Hasta Que Te Conocí" included.
[22] On the review of the album, Evan Gutierrez of Allmusic cited Anthony's cover as one of the tracks that "showcased well" with his "edgy improvisation and wide vocal range".
[16] Anthony's cover received a nomination for Tropical Song of the Year at the 1994 Lo Nuestro Awards,[23] but lost to "El Baile del Perrito" by Wilfrido Vargas y su Orquesta.
[43] In 1987, Dominican musician Roberto del Castillo covered "Hasta Que Te Conocí" in merengue on his album Justo a Tiempo.
[48] In 1994, Argentine pianist Raúl di Blasio covered the song on his album Piano de America, Vol.
[52][53][54] A music video for the Anglo version was released by BMG and was included on the DVD set for La Historia del Piano de América... Los Éxitos (2006).
[53] Mexican singer Pilar Montenegro included a version of the track featuring rapper Voltio on her album South Beach in 2005.