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La Bamba (song)

"La Bamba" (pronounced [la ˈβamba]) is a Mexican folk song, originally from the state of Veracruz, also known as "La Bomba".[1] The song is best known from a 1958 adaptation by Ritchie Valens, a Top 40 hit in the U.S. charts. Valens's version is ranked number 345 on Rolling Stone magazine′s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

"La Bamba" has been recorded by numerous artists, notably by Los Lobos whose version was the title track of the 1987 film La Bamba, a bio-pic about Valens; their version reached No. 1 in many charts in the same year.

Traditional versions[edit]

"La Bamba" is a classic example of the son jarocho musical style, which originated in the Mexican state of Veracruz, and combines Spanish, indigenous, and African musical elements. The song is typically played on one or two arpa jarochas (harps) along with guitar relatives the jarana jarocha and the requinto jarocho.[2] Lyrics to the song vary greatly, as performers often improvise verses while performing. However, versions such as those by musical groups Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan and Los Pregoneros del Puerto have survived because of the artists' popularity. The traditional aspect of "La Bamba" lies in the tune, which remains almost the same through most versions. The name of the dance referenced within the song, which has no direct English translation, is presumably connected with the Spanish verb "bambolear", meaning "to sway", "to shake" or "to wobble".[3] In one traditional version of this dance performed at weddings and ballet folklórico shows, couples utilize intricate footwork to create a bow signifying their union.[4]

Early recordings[edit]

"La Bamba" has its origin in the state of Veracruz, Mexico.[5] The oldest recorded version known is that of Alvaro Hernández Ortiz,[6] who recorded the song with the name of "El Jarocho". His recording was released by Victor Records in Mexico in 1938 or 1939, and was reissued on a 1997 compilation by Yazoo Records, The Secret Museum of Mankind Vol. 4.[7]


According to a 1945 article in Life, the song and associated dance were brought "out of the jungle" at Veracruz by American bandleader Everett Hoagland, who introduced it at Ciro's nightclub in Mexico City. It became popular, and the song was adopted by Mexican presidential candidate Miguel Alemán Valdés who used it in his successful campaign. Later in 1945, the music and dance were introduced at the Stork Club in New York City by Arthur Murray.[8] A popular version by Andrés Huesca (1917–1957) and his brother Victor, billed as Hermanos Huesca, was issued on Peerless Records in Mexico around 1945–46. Huesca re-recorded the song for RCA Victor in 1947,[9] and the same year the song featured as a production number in the MGM musical film Fiesta, performed by a group called Los Bocheros. The song was featured in the 1946 Mexican movie Rayando el Sol starring Pedro Armendáriz.


The Swedish-American folk singer William Clauson recorded the song in several languages in the early and mid-1950s. He claimed to have heard the song in Veracruz, and in performance slowed down the tempo to encourage audience participation.[10][11] Another version, "somewhat bowdlerized", was recorded by Cynthia Gooding on her 1953 Elektra album, Mexican Folk Songs.[12]

"La Bamba"

October 1958

1958

2:06

Traditional, adapted by Ritchie Valens

Bob Keane

"Charlena"

June 20, 1987

1986

2:54

Ritchie Valens

Los Lobos

In 1960, 's live version of the song was released on his album Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall. His previously recorded but unreleased studio version from 1958 was included in a 2001 compilation, Very Best of Harry Belafonte, under the title "Bam Bam Bamba".[77]

Harry Belafonte

In 1963, released the song at the a-side of a single as La Bamba part I with on the b side La Bamba part II. A second single in 1963 contains La Bamba with b-side Granada. The song is also included at his 1963 live album Trini Lopez at PJ's.

Trini Lopez

In 1965, recorded the song for her second album, Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty. It was also included on You Don't Have To Say You Love Me in 1966, which was more or less an American re-issue of the previous album.[78]

Dusty Springfield

In 1985, Canadian children's singer included her version of the song on her Juno Award-winning debut album 10 Carrot Diamond. Diamond's version is perhaps best known for appearing in the children's television series Ants in Your Pants.[79]

Charlotte Diamond

In 1987, covered the song for her album And the Winner Is..., which it was released as a single the same year. Her version reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs.[80]

Selena

In 1988, performed a parody of the song titled "Lasagna" for his album Even Worse.

"Weird Al" Yankovic

A song from a Bosnian pop-rock band "Sviđa mi se ova stvar" released in 1988, is heavily influenced by "La Bamba".

Crvena jabuka

Texas rock band have frequently performed "La Bamba" in concert. They cite Valens as an influence in their music.[81][82]

Los Lonely Boys

A 3 version of "La Bamba" reached No. 3 in France on December 13, 2003,[83] In January 2004, it reached No. 5 in Wallonia, Belgium.[84]

Star Academy

In 2006, Ubisoft made a cover of this song for the game .

Rayman Raving Rabbids

and Dora the Explorer in the 2010 Mega Music Fest on Nickelodeon.[85]

Wyclef Jean

The Belgian Electronic band "Telex", the trio who made the worldwide successful "Moskow Diskow," also created a downbeat electronic cover of it, which is the final track in their final album "How Do You Dance?".

A live recording of the song by features on the posthumously released 2003 album Meeting with the G-Man.

Rory Gallagher

In 2020, the song was adapted by the Brazilian children's musical brand as part of the album Rádio Bita.[86]

Mundo Bita

Bambera

a 1987 film

La Bamba

soundtrack from the homonymous 1987 film

La Bamba