"You Sang to Me" is a mid-tempo, pop and romantic ballad that includes elements of Latin, R&B, and adult contemporary genres whose lyrics are about a man who lets his life partner walk away although he is in a relationship with another person.
Anthony also recorded a Spanish-language version of the song titled "Muy Dentro de Mí", which has additional lyrical contributions by Roberto Blades and Gaitanes.
The song reached number one on the American and Canadian adult contemporary charts, and the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Jeff Richter directed the music video for "You Sang to Me", which was filmed in New York City, features Australian model Kristy Hinze, and portrays Anthony as a painter who falls in love with his assistant.
[2] After the release of his third studio album Contra la Corriente in 1997, disputes over business practices between him and Mercado arose when a check Anthony wrote for his daughter bounced.
[7] After being signed to Columbia Records, Mottola hired Cory Rooney, Rodney Jenkins, and Walter Afanasieff to produce Anthony's next album.
[14][15] According to Celia Fernandez of O, The Oprah Magazine, the song tells "the story of a man not realizing he had let the love of his life walk away while still being with someone else".
[16] In an interview with Jam!, Anthony described the process of composing the song: I remember writing the track with Cory Rooney, and going home, I came up with the melody.
[19] Anthony also recorded a Spanish-language version of the song titled "Muy Dentro de Mi", which includes additional lyrical contributions from Roberto Blades, and Ricardo and Alberto Gaitán.
[25] "Muy Dentro de Mi" was later included on Anthony's compilation album Sigo Siendo Yo: Grandes Éxitos (2006).
[29] According to the New York Daily News editors George Rush and Joanna Molly, "Anthony has a guardian angel who appears in the form of a homeless man" and is portrayed by Felipe Muniz, the singer's father.
[33] Following its release, "You Sang to Me" was met with positive reactions from music critics, praising Anthony's vocals and the song's arrangements.
Billboard editor Chuck Taylor called "You Sang to Me" a "stunningly beautiful track" and said the song "will not only feed the souls of those in love but remind those who are wishing to find it again what it ideally feels like".
[30] Reviewing the soundtrack of Runaway Bride, Houston Chronicle's Bruce Westbrook called "You Sang to Me" the "best of ballads", and complimented its "potent hooks and harmonies".
[39] In an unfavorable review of the film's soundtrack, Jennifer Barrs of the Tampa Tribune was more critical of the track and panned Anthony for singing only three notes in the song.
[42] At the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001, "You Sang to Me" received a nomination for Male Pop Vocal Performance, which ultimately went to "She Walks This Earth" by Sting.
[44][45] At the 13th Annual Lo Nuestro Awards in 2001, "Muy Dentro de Mi" was nominated for Pop Song of the Year but lost to "A Puro Dolor" by Son by Four.
[48] Anthony and Rooney received an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Pop Award for "You Sang to Me"'s commercial success in 2002.
[77] CD maxi-single[25] Credits adapted from the Marc Anthony and Sigo Siendo Yo: Grandes Exitos liner notes.