Studio Album · No. 1

Cuts Both Ways Songwriting Credits by Gloria Estefan

1989 Epic 12 tracks 49:29

Produced by Emilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald  ·  Engineered by Eric Schilling (engineer, mixing), Phil Ramone (mixing), Humberto Gatica (mixing), John Haag (recording assistant, additional mixing), Ted Stein (recording assistant), Bob Ludwig (mastering)

Epic PopDance-PopLatin PopAdult Contemporary
Songwriter
75%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 9 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 9 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Gloria Estefan carries a lyricist or composer credit.

75%
9 trackswritten by Gloria Estefan 3 tracksoutside writers
Gloria Estefan's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist75%
Composer75%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
4
Lyricists
3
Producers
1
No.1 Single
4 million+
Worldwide Copies Sold
1989
Released

Awards & Recognition 2

Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (1990, Nominated)
Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female (1990, Nominated)
Data Insight

Estefan wrote seven of the ten English songs alone, which is a high share for a pop record of this size in 1989. The three she did not write are the ones worth looking at. "Say" came from Jon Secada and Bill Duncan while Secada was still a backing singer with no record of his own, "Think About You Now" is bassist Jorge Casas by himself, and "Get on Your Feet", the song Estefan has closed concerts with ever since, was written by guitarist John DeFaria with Casas and Ostwald. Her name is nowhere on it. The two Spanish bonus tracks are her own lyrics translated onto the same recordings, so the CD's twelve titles come off ten copyrights, not twelve.

Cuts Both Ways was the first album billed to Gloria Estefan alone, recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami across 1988 and 1989 with Miami Sound Machine still playing behind her. Her husband Emilio Estefan Jr. produced it with two of the band's own players, bassist Jorge Casas and keyboardist Clay Ostwald, and Eric Schilling engineered, with Phil Ramone and Humberto Gatica brought in to mix three tracks. The CD adds Spanish versions of "Oye Mi Canto" and "Don't Wanna Lose You" to the ten-song LP.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Ay, Ay, I
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)Emilio Estefan Jr. (Congas)
2
Here We Are #6
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)
3
Say
Jon Secada Juan Francisco Secada RamírezBill Duncan Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)
4
Think About You Now
Jorge Casas Jorge Casas Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar Solo)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)Jon Secada (Backing Vocals)
5
Nothin' New
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)
6
Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice) #48
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo GarcíaJorge CasasClay Ostwald Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums, Live Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)Paquito Hechavarría (Acoustic Piano)Paco Fonta (Acoustic Guitar)Teddy Mulet (Trumpet, Trumpet Solo, Trombone, Backing Vocals)Randy Barlow (Trumpet, Backing Vocals)Jon Secada (Backing Vocals)
7
Don't Wanna Lose You #1
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Programming)Michael Thompson (Electric Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)Jon Secada (Backing Vocals)
8
Get on Your Feet #11
John DeFaria John DeFariaJorge CasasClay Ostwald Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming, Backing Vocals)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Programming, Backing Vocals)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)Mike Scaglione (Saxophone, Saxophone Solo)Randy Barlow (Trumpet, Backing Vocals)Jon Secada (Backing Vocals)
9
Your Love Is Bad for Me
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)Betty Wright (Backing Vocals)
10
Cuts Both Ways #44
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)
11
Oye Mi Canto (Spanish Version)
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo GarcíaJorge CasasClay Ostwald Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, Programming)John DeFaria (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums, Live Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)Paquito Hechavarría (Acoustic Piano)Paco Fonta (Acoustic Guitar)Teddy Mulet (Trumpet, Trumpet Solo, Trombone, Backing Vocals)Randy Barlow (Trumpet, Backing Vocals)Jon Secada (Backing Vocals)
12
Si Voy a Perderte
Gloria Estefan Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García Emilio Estefan Jr.Jorge CasasClay Ostwald Gloria Estefan (Lead Vocals)Clay Ostwald (Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano, Programming)Jorge Casas (Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Programming)Michael Thompson (Electric Guitar)Robert Rodriguez (Drums)Rafael Padilla (Percussion)Jon Secada (Backing Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 18 contributors

GE
Gloria Estefan
Writer · Vocals
On this album9 written
GM
Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García
Writer
On this album9 written
JC
Jorge Casas
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album4 written
CO
Clay Ostwald
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album3 written
BD
Bill Duncan
Writer
On this album1 written
JD
John DeFaria
Writer · Electric Guitar
On this album1 written
JS
Jon Secada
Writer · Vocals
On this album1 written
JF
Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez
Writer
On this album1 written
EE
Emilio Estefan Jr.
Producer · Congas
On this album12 produced
BW
Betty Wright
Vocals
On this albumGuest
MT
Michael Thompson
Electric Guitar
On this albumGuest
MS
Mike Scaglione
Saxophone
On this albumGuest

More from Gloria Estefan

1991 57%
Into the Light
Epic
14 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
1993 58%
Mi Tierra
Epic
12 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
1993 9%
Christmas Through Your Eyes
Epic
11 tracksProd. Phil Ramone
1994 0%
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
Epic
12 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
1995 0%
Abriendo Puertas
Epic
10 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
1996 64%
Destiny
Epic
11 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
1998 56%
Gloria!
Epic
16 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
2000 15%
Alma Caribeña
Epic
13 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
2003 83%
Unwrapped
Epic
18 tracksProd. Gloria Estefan
2007 71%
90 Millas
Burgundy
14 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
2011 46%
Miss Little Havana
Crescent Moon
13 tracksProd. Pharrell Williams
2013 15%
The Standards
Sony Music Latin
13 tracksProd. Gloria Estefan
2020 61%
Brazil305
Sony Music Latin
18 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
2022 24%
Estefan Family Christmas
Crescent Moon
17 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.
2025 31%
Raíces
Crescent Moon
13 tracksProd. Emilio Estefan Jr.

Frequently Asked Questions Cuts Both Ways

Who wrote the songs on Cuts Both Ways?
Gloria Estefan wrote seven of the ten English tracks by herself: "Ay, Ay, I", "Here We Are", "Nothin' New", "Don't Wanna Lose You", "Your Love Is Bad for Me", "Cuts Both Ways", and the lyric to "Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice)", whose music she shares with Jorge Casas and Clay Ostwald. "Say" is by Jon Secada and Bill Duncan, "Think About You Now" is by Jorge Casas, and "Get on Your Feet" is by John DeFaria with Casas and Ostwald.
Did Gloria Estefan write "Get on Your Feet"?
No. "Get on Your Feet" was written by guitarist John DeFaria, who wrote the words and shares the music with bassist Jorge Casas and keyboardist Clay Ostwald, all three of them Miami Sound Machine players. Estefan sings lead and backing vocals on it and takes no writing credit.
Who produced Cuts Both Ways?
Emilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas and Clay Ostwald produced every track. The three of them were nominated for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical at the 32nd Grammy Awards in 1990 for the work.
Who engineered and mixed the album?
Eric Schilling engineered and mixed most of it. Phil Ramone mixed "Here We Are" and "Cuts Both Ways", Humberto Gatica mixed "Don't Wanna Lose You", and Bob Ludwig mastered at Masterdisk in New York.
Is Miami Sound Machine on Cuts Both Ways?
Yes. The record was marketed as Estefan's solo debut, but the band played it: Jorge Casas on bass, Clay Ostwald on keyboards, John DeFaria on guitar, Robert Rodriguez on drums, Rafael Padilla on percussion and a three-man horn section. Emilio Estefan was the only founding member besides Gloria on the sessions, and he plays congas on one track.
Who sings backing vocals on the album?
Jon Secada, three years before his own solo debut, sings behind Estefan on six tracks. Betty Wright sings on "Your Love Is Bad for Me". Casas, Ostwald, Teddy Mulet and Randy Barlow cover the rest, and Estefan doubles her own backing parts on seven songs.
How did the singles chart?
"Don't Wanna Lose You" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Here We Are" number 6, "Get on Your Feet" number 11, "Cuts Both Ways" number 44 and "Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice)" number 48. The album itself reached number 8 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
How well did Cuts Both Ways sell?
It has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. In the United States the RIAA certified it 3x Platinum, which is a threshold rather than a counted figure, and no US unit total has been published.
What are the two extra songs on the CD?
"Oye Mi Canto" and "Si Voy a Perderte" are Spanish versions of "Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice)" and "Don't Wanna Lose You", sung over the same tracks. They push the CD to 49:29 against the LP's 40:23.
Data note: Wikipedia places Michael Thompson's electric guitar on tracks 6 and 11 ("Oye Mi Canto"), while the Discogs transcription of the US CD sleeve places it on tracks 7 and 12 ("Don't Wanna Lose You" / "Si Voy a Perderte"); the per-track sleeve reading is used here. No US sales figure has been published for the album, only an RIAA 3x Platinum certification, so the sales field carries the worldwide total only.

Sources

Wikipedia: Cuts Both Ways Discogs master 103724: Gloria Estefan - Cuts Both Ways Discogs release 1327618: Cuts Both Ways, US CD, Epic 1989 MusicBrainz release group: Cuts Both Ways Cover Art Archive: Cuts Both Ways front cover Albumism: Gloria Estefan's Debut Solo Album Cuts Both Ways Turns 35 UPI, January 11, 1990: Annual Grammy Nominations Wikipedia: Don't Wanna Lose You Wikipedia: Get on Your Feet Wikipedia: Here We Are (Gloria Estefan song) Wikipedia: Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice) Wikipedia: Cuts Both Ways (song) Wikipedia: Gloria Estefan Cover Art Archive: Cuts Both Ways by Gloria Estefan