El Alma Joven... (English: The Young Soul...) is the debut studio album by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel. It was released on August 4, 1971, through RCA Victor. The production was musically directed and arranged by Chucho Zarzosa and Eduardo Magallanes, introducing Gabriel's early signature blend of acoustic strings and melodic Latin pop balladry to mainstream audiences.
The album served as the launching pad for Juan Gabriel's commercial career following years of regional obscurity under his previous pseudonym, Adán Luna. Its commercial deployment was anchored by the immediate success of the lead single "No Tengo Dinero," which topped regional popularity charts across Latin America and quickly earned a Gold certification in Mexico. The project yielded subsequent radio hits, including the upbeat pop ballad "Me He Quedado Solo" and the reflective track "Tres Claveles y Un Rosal," establishing Gabriel as a vital commercial force in Mexican popular music. Retrospectively, music critics consider the album a foundational milestone that outlined the thematic concepts of romance, world peace, and melancholia defining his broader discography.
Track listing All tracks are written by Juan Gabriel. Songwriting arrangements and track lengths are adapted from the original 1971 RCA Victor physical vinyl press labels and modern streaming distribution registries:
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Track listing
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