La Bamba (song) explained

"La Bamba" (pronounced as /es/) 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 on 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 on many charts in the same year.

Traditional versions

"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.[2] "La Bamba" likely originated in the last years of the 17th century. Initially, the song satirized the late and futile efforts made by the viceroy of Mexico to defend the citizens of the port of Veracruz from pirates. Likewise, its name also alludes to a dance of Spanish origin called bamba, which was popular at that time. The oldest known historical references come from the town of Alvarado, Mexico, where it apparently was performed with an atypically lively rhythm.

"La Bamba" 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

"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]

Ritchie Valens version

La Bamba
Type:single
Artist:Ritchie Valens
Album:Ritchie Valens
A-Side:Donna
Released:October 1958
Recorded:1958
Genre:
Length:2:06
Label:Del-Fi
Producer:Bob Keane
Prev Title:Come On, Let's Go
Prev Year:1958
Donna
Title2:La Bamba
Next Title:Fast Freight / Big Baby Blues
Next Year:1959

Ritchie Valens learned the song in his youth, from his cousin Dickie Cota. In 1958 he recorded a rock and roll flavored version of "La Bamba", together with session musicians Buddy Clark (string bass); Ernie Freeman (piano); Carol Kaye (acoustic rhythm guitar); René Hall (Danelectro six-string baritone guitar); and Earl Palmer (drums and claves).[13] It was originally released as the B-side of "Donna", on the Del-Fi label.[14]

The song features a simple verse-chorus form. Valens, who was proud of his Mexican heritage, was hesitant at first to merge "La Bamba" with rock and roll, but subsequently agreed to do so. The song ranked No. 98 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll in 1999, and No. 59 on VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs in 2000. Furthermore, Valens' recording of the song was inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The song was listed at number 354 in the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine,[15] being the only non-English language song included in the list.[16] It was also included in Robert Christgau's "Basic Record Library" of 1950s and 1960s recordings published in (1981).[17] Valens was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.[18] In 2018, Valens' version was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[19] It is also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 songs that were influential in shaping rock and roll.[20]

Charts

Chart (1959–1987)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[21] 87
Canada (CHUM Chart)[22] 1

Los Lobos version

La Bamba
Cover:La Bamba Los Lobos.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Los Lobos
Album:La Bamba Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Language:Spanish
B-Side:Charlena
Released:June 20, 1987
Recorded:1986
Genre:
Length:2:54
Label:Warner Bros.
Producer:Los Lobos
Prev Title:Come On, Let's Go
Prev Title2:Ooh! My Head
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:Down on the Riverbed
Next Year:1990

The music video directed by Sherman Halsey[23] won the 1988 MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film; it also featured Lou Diamond Phillips, the actor who played Valens in the 1987 film of the same name.[24] The song was also the fourth wholly non-English language song to top the Billboard Hot 100.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1987)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[25] 1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[26] 1
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[27] 2
Finland (Suomen virallinen singlelista)[28] 1
Greece (IFPI)[29] 1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[30] 1
New Zealand (RIANZ)[31] 1
Portugal (IFPI)[32] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[33] 1
UK Singles (OCC)[34] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 1
US Country Songs (Billboard)[36] 57
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[37] 4
US Latin Songs (Billboard)[38] 1
US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)[39] 11
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[40] 1

Year-end charts

1987 year-end chart performance for Los Lobos' cover!Chart (1987)!Position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[41] 2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[42] 20
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[43] 21
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[44] 1
European Top 100 Singles (Music & Media)[45] 12
France (SNEP)[46] 3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[47] 16
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[48] 26
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[49] 2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[51] 18
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[52] 11
US Crossover Singles (Billboard)[53] 18
US Latin Singles (Billboard)[54] 15
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[55] 11
West Germany (Official German Charts)[56] 49

All-time charts

All-time chart performance for Los Lobos' cover! Chart (1958–2018)! Position
US Billboard Hot 100[57] 373

Certifications and sales

Other notable versions

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: La bomba . 45worlds.com.
  2. Web site: Son Jarocho Music . National Geographic . March 30, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130530022053/http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/genre/content.genre/son_jarocho_789/en_US . May 30, 2013 .
  3. Web site: Check out the translation for "bambolear". Spanishdict.com. May 22, 2021.
  4. Web site: History of the art .
  5. News: 'La Bamba': conoce el origen de esta popular canción veracruzana . 22 October 2021 . El Heraldo de México . 24 March 2021 . es.
  6. Web site: Revisiting La Bamba, the Ritchie Valens Biopic That Underscores the Myth of the American Dream . Pitchfork . October 21, 2021 . August 27, 2020.
  7. http://www.originals.be/en/originals.php?id=3343 Arnold Rypens, The Originals
  8. Life Dances La Bamba in Mexico City. Life. 140. October 15, 1945. May 22, 2021. Google Books.
  9. Book: Sullivan, Steve. Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings. 461. October 4, 2013. Scarecrow Press. 9780810882966. May 22, 2021. Google Books.
  10. http://www.sunkit.com/william-clauson/ Mats Johansson, Magnus Nilsson, "William Clauson", sunkit.com
  11. http://www.williamclauson.com/bio/ Biography, William Clauson official site
  12. http://www.richieunterberger.com/gooding.html Richie Unterberger, Liner notes for reissue of Cynthia Gooding's Mexican Folk Songs
  13. Ritchie Valens, "Ritchie Valens in Come On. Let’s Go" Del-Fi Records, liner notes
  14. https://books.google.com/books?id=bDIwZ8BieWcC&dq=valens+%22la+bamba%22+B-side&pg=PA651 María Herrera-Sobek, Celebrating Latino Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Cultural Traditions, ABC-CLIO, 2012, p.651
  15. La Bamba ranked #17 on Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs List . Rolling Stone . December 11, 2003 . October 21, 2021.
  16. Book: Bender . Steven . Comprende?: The Significance of Spanish in English-only Times . 2008 . Floricanto Press . 978-1-888205-08-4 . 113 . 22 October 2021 . en.
  17. Book: Christgau, Robert. Robert Christgau. 1981. . Ticknor & Fields. 0899190251. A Basic Record Library: The Fifties and Sixties. https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg70/basics.php. March 16, 2019. robertchristgau.com.
  18. Celebrating Hispanic Live History: Linda Ronstadt Brings Mariachi To The Masses With 'Canciones de Mi Padre' . Pollstar . 30 September 2021 . 22 October 2021.
  19. News: Andrews . Travis M. . March 20, 2019 . Jay-Z, a speech by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and 'Schoolhouse Rock!' among recordings deemed classics by Library of Congress . The Washington Post. March 25, 2019.
  20. Web site: 500 Songs That Shaped Rock . Infoplease . FEN Learning . November 16, 2020.
  21. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 319.
  22. Web site: CHUM Hit Parade - February 2, 1959.
  23. Book: Morris . Chris . Los Lobos: Dream in Blue . 2015 . University of Texas Press . 978-1-4773-0852-3.
  24. Web site: In 1987 Los Lobos brings back 'La Bamba' in their energized version to the top of the charts . popexpresso.com . September 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210909151519/https://www.popexpresso.com/2021/08/29/in-1987-los-lobos-brings-back-la-bamba-in-their-energized-version-to-the-top-of-the-charts/ . September 9, 2021 . live.
  25. National Top 100 Singles for 1986. Kent Music Report. 650. December 1986. Imgur. January 24, 2023.
  26. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - September 5, 1987.
  27. European Hot 100 Singles. October 17, 1987. Music & Media. 4. 41. 17. September 24, 2023.
  28. Book: Pennanen, Timo. Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021. 2021. Los Lobos. 152. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. Helsinki. July 2, 2022. fi.
  29. Top 3 in Europe. December 12, 1987. Music & Media. 4. 49. 16. September 24, 2023.
  30. Top 3 in Europe. December 12, 1987. Music & Media. 4. 49. 16. September 24, 2023.
  31. Web site: The Official New Zealand Music Chart . THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART . . September 10, 2021 . en.
  32. Top 3 in Europe. October 24, 1987. Music & Media. 4. 42. 20. September 24, 2023.
  33. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st . September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
  34. Web site: LOS LOBOS full Official Chart History Official Charts Company . Official Charts Company . September 9, 2021.
  35. Billboard Hot 100 - Los Lobos - La Bamba . Billboard . September 10, 2021.
  36. Hot Country Songs - Los Lobos - La Bamba . Billboard . September 10, 2021.
  37. Adult Contemporary - Los Lobos - La Bamba . Billboard . September 10, 2021.
  38. Hot Latin Songs - Los Lobos - La Bamba . Billboard . September 10, 2021.
  39. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks - Los Lobos - La Bamba . Billboard . September 10, 2021.
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  41. Web site: Kent Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987. Kent Music Report. Imgur.com. April 8, 2022.
  42. Web site: Jahreshitparade 1987. de. Austrian Charts Portal. April 8, 2022.
  43. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1987 . Ultratop. Hung Medien . April 8, 2022 . nl.
  44. Top 100 Singles of '87 . 47 . 12 . 26 December 1987 . . . April 8, 2022 . October 5, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015555/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0920&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3.
  45. Web site: European Charts of the Year 1987: Singles. 34. Music & Media. December 26, 1987. April 8, 2022. 5. 11.
  46. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20140619003258/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1987.htm. June 19, 2014. Top - 1987. fr. Top France. April 8, 2022.
  47. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987 . . April 8, 2022 . nl.
  48. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987 . Single Top 100. Hung Medien . April 8, 2022 . nl.
  49. Web site: END OF YEAR CHARTS 1987. Official New Zealand Music Chart. April 22, 2021.
  50. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1987: Singles. de. Swiss Chart Portal. April 8, 2022.
  51. Gallup Year End Charts 1987: Singles. Record Mirror. 36. January 23, 1988. April 7, 2022.
  52. December 26, 1987 . 1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles . Billboard . 99 . 52 .
  53. 1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Adult Contemporary Singles . December 26, 1987 . Billboard . 99 . 52 . Y-31. April 6, 2022.
  54. 1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Hot Crossover Singles . December 26, 1987 . Billboard . 99 . 52 . Y-44. April 8, 2022.
  55. Web site: The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1987 . TOP 100 POP SINGLES. Cash Box. April 10, 2021. December 26, 1987. October 6, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121006043744/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1987YESP.html.
  56. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1987 . Offiziellecharts.de . GfK Entertainment charts . May 9, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150509001159/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1987 . de. April 8, 2022.
  57. Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart. Billboard. December 10, 2018.
  58. Web site: CD Reissues 1. belafontetracks.ca. 2019-07-20.
  59. Web site: Eder . Bruce . Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty Review . AllMusic . 13 July 2022.
  60. Web site: Charlotte Diamond-LA BAMBA. YouTube. January 5, 2011.
  61. devops . 2013-01-02 . Hot Latin Songs . 2024-03-05 . Billboard . en-US.
  62. Web site: Herman. Valli. Texas, with an East L.A. Edge / Los Lonely Boys for "Heaven" from "Los Lonely Boys" . Los Angeles Times. February 13, 2005 . June 21, 2016.
  63. Web site: Sauro . Tony. Los Lonely Boys are family boys . Recordnet.com . Local Media Group, Inc. . June 21, 2016.
  64. Hits of the World . Billboard . December 13, 2003 . en . Google Books.
  65. Hits of the World . Billboard . 17 January 2004 . September 9, 2021 . en . Google Books.
  66. News: 2008-09-14. Breakthrough Spanish song still going strong. en. Reuters. 2020-06-01.
  67. Web site: Segredo do sucesso do Mundo Bita . December 7, 2020 .
  68. News: Merola. Lauren. 'La Bamba' singers wish Oilers good luck in Western Conference Final. NHL Enterprises, L.P.. NHL.com. June 6, 2022. June 16, 2024.
  69. NHL Morning Skate for June 16. NHL Enterprises, L.P.. NHL.com. June 16, 2024. June 16, 2024. Edmonton and its thousands of fans inside and outside Rogers Place celebrated the win by playing Los Lobos’ 1987 cover of "La Bamba," which has a much deeper meaning to the franchise than simply being a victory song. "La Bamba" was the favorite tune of longtime Oilers dressing room attendant Joey Moss, who passed away in 2020. Moss was born with Down syndrome and began working for the team during the 1984-85 season, with his influence still felt in Edmonton through the ICE District Plaza adjacent to Rogers Place being nicknamed the "Moss Pit". The song also had a connection to young Oilers superfan Ben Stelter, who passed away in 2022 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Stelter shared a special bond with Connor McDavid and captured the hearts of players and fans with his catchphrase "Play La Bamba, baby!", which is still used around Rogers Place..

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