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"'''La Bamba'''" is a Mexican [[folk song]], originally from the state of [[Veracruz]], best known from a 1958 adaptation by [[Ritchie Valens]], a [[top 40]] hit in the U.S. charts and one of early rock and roll's best-known songs.
"'''La Bamba'''" is a Mexican [[folk song]], originally from the state of [[Veracruz]], best known from a 1958 adaptation by [[Ritchie Valens]], a [[top 40]] hit in the U.S. charts and one of early rock and roll's best-known songs. An english version of the song called "[[Twist And Shout]]", was performed famously by [[The Beatles]], but originally performed ("but not written") by the [[Isley Brothers]].


==Traditional origins==
==Traditional origins==
La Bamba is a classic example of the ''[[Son Jarocho]]'' musical style which originated in the Mexican state of [[Veracruz]] and combines [[Spain|Spanish]], [[African]], and [[Indigenous]] musical elements. The song is typically played on one or two ''[[arpa jarocha|arpas jarochas]]'' (harps) along with [[guitar]] relatives the ''[[jarana jarocha]]'' and the ''[[requinto jarocho]]''.<ref>http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/genre/content.genre/son_jarocho_789/en_US</ref> Lyrics to the song greatly vary, 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 itself, which remains the almost the same through most versions.{{dubious|date=June 2010}} The name of the dance, which has no direct English translation, is presumably connected with the Spanish verb ''bambolear'', meaning "to shake" or perhaps "to stomp".
La Bamba is a classic example of the ''[[Son Jarocho]]'' musical style which originated in the Mexican state of [[Veracruz]] and combines [[Spain|Spanish]], [[African]], and [[Indigenous]] musical elements. The song is typically played on one or two ''[[arpa jarocha|arpas jarochas]]'' (harps) along with [[guitar]] relatives the ''[[jarana jarocha]]'' and the ''[[requinto jarocho]]''.<ref>http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/genre/content.genre/son_jarocho_789/en_US</ref> Lyrics to the song greatly vary, 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 itself, which remains the almost the same through most versions.{{dubious|date=June 2010}} The name of the dance, which has no direct English translation, is presumably connected with the Spanish verb ''bambolear'', meaning "to shake" or perhaps "to stomp", which adapted lyrics for "Twist And Shout".


The traditional "La Bamba" is often played during weddings in [[Veracruz]], where the bride and groom perform the accompanying dance. Today this wedding tradition is not done as frequently as in the past, but the dance is still popular, perhaps through the popularity of ''[[ballet folklórico]]''. The dance is performed displaying the newly-wed couple’s unity through the performance of complicated, delicate steps in unison as well as through creation of a bow from a ''[[listón]]'', a long red ribbon, using only their feet.
The traditional "La Bamba" is often played during weddings in [[Veracruz]], where the bride and groom perform the accompanying dance. Today this wedding tradition is not done as frequently as in the past, but the dance is still popular, perhaps through the popularity of ''[[ballet folklórico]]''. The dance is performed displaying the newly-wed couple’s unity through the performance of complicated, delicate steps in unison as well as through creation of a bow from a ''[[listón]]'', a long red ribbon, using only their feet.

Revision as of 00:28, 8 November 2010

"La Bamba"
Song
A-side"Donna"
"La Bamba"
Song
B-side"Charlena"

"La Bamba" is a Mexican folk song, originally from the state of Veracruz, best known from a 1958 adaptation by Ritchie Valens, a top 40 hit in the U.S. charts and one of early rock and roll's best-known songs. An english version of the song called "Twist And Shout", was performed famously by The Beatles, but originally performed ("but not written") by the Isley Brothers.

Traditional origins

La Bamba is a classic example of the Son Jarocho musical style which originated in the Mexican state of Veracruz and combines Spanish, African, and Indigenous musical elements. The song is typically played on one or two arpas jarochas (harps) along with guitar relatives the jarana jarocha and the requinto jarocho.[1] Lyrics to the song greatly vary, 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 itself, which remains the almost the same through most versions.[dubiousdiscuss] The name of the dance, which has no direct English translation, is presumably connected with the Spanish verb bambolear, meaning "to shake" or perhaps "to stomp", which adapted lyrics for "Twist And Shout".

The traditional "La Bamba" is often played during weddings in Veracruz, where the bride and groom perform the accompanying dance. Today this wedding tradition is not done as frequently as in the past, but the dance is still popular, perhaps through the popularity of ballet folklórico. The dance is performed displaying the newly-wed couple’s unity through the performance of complicated, delicate steps in unison as well as through creation of a bow from a listón, a long red ribbon, using only their feet.

The "arriba" (literally "up") part of the song suggests the nature of the dance, in which the footwork, called "zapateado", is done faster and faster as the music tempo accelerates. The repeated lyric, "Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán" (lit: "I am not a sailor, I am a captain"), refers to Veracruz's marine locale and perhaps the husband's promise that he will remain faithful to his wife.

Valens' version

The traditional song inspired Ritchie Valens' rock and roll version "La Bamba" in 1958. Valens' "La Bamba" infused the traditional tune with a rock drive, in part provided by session drummer Earl Palmer and session lead guitarist Carol Kaye, making the song accessible to a much wider record audience and earning it (and Valens) a place in rock history (inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001). 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 then agreed. Valens obtained the lyrics from his aunt Ernestine Reyes and learned the Spanish lyrics phonetically, as he had been raised from birth speaking English. Valens' version of "La Bamba" is ranked number 345 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It is the only song on the list not sung in English. The song also ranked #98 in VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll and #59 in VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs of Rock and Roll, both done in 2000.

Charts

Chart (1959) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Pop Singles 22[2]
UK Singles Chart 49[3]
Chart (1987) Peak
position
Australian Kent Music Report 1
Austrian Singles Chart 3
French Singles Chart 1
Irish Singles Chart 1
Italian Singles Chart 1
New Zealand Singles Chart 1
Dutch Singles Chart 2
Norwegian Singles Chart 4
Swedish Singles Chart 3
Swiss Singles Chart 1
UK Singles Chart 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks 57
U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Tracks 1
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks 11
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks 4

Advertising

The tune of "La Bamba" was used to promote 101, a cigarette that was Chesterfield's extra-long brand. To emphasize its difference from the other extra long brands which were all 100 mm long, commercials in the late 1960s for 101 cigarettes used the phrase "a silly millimeter longer" sung to the tune of "La Bamba".

The tune of "La Bamba" can also be heard in the background of Old El Paso Taco Commercials.

See also

References

Preceded by UK number one single (Los Lobos version)
July 28, 1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by Billboard Hot 100 number one single (Los Lobos version)
August 29, 1987 - September 12, 1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by Billboard Hot Latin Tracks number one single (Los Lobos version)
September 19, 1987 - October 31, 1987
Succeeded by
"Ahora Te Puedes Marchar" by Luis Miguel
Preceded by French (SNEP) number one single (Los Lobos version)
October 17, 1987 - December 26, 1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Laisse parler les gens" by Jocelyne Labylle and Cheela featuring Jacob Desvarieux and Passi
Belgian (Wallonia) number-one single (Star Academy 4 version)
October 18, 2003 - November 8, 2003 (4 weeks)
Succeeded by
"Hey oh" by Tragédie