La Bamba (song)

"La Bamba" (pronounced[laˈβamba]) is a Mexicanfolk song, originally from the state ofVeracruz, also known as "La Bomba".The song is best known from a 1958 adaptation byRitchie Valens, aTop 40hit on the U.S. charts. Valens's version is ranked number 345 onRolling Stonemagazine′s list of the500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and is the only song on the list not written or sung in English.
"La Bamba" has beencoveredby numerous artists, notably byLos Loboswhose version was the title track of the 1987 filmLa Bamba, abio-picabout Valens; their version reached No. 1 on many charts in the same year.
"La Bamba" is a classic example of theson jarochomusical style, which originated in the Mexican state ofVeracruz, and combinesSpanish,indigenous,Afro-MexicanandAfro-Caribbeanmusical elements."La Bamba" likely originated in the last years of the 17th century in 1683 during a slave uprising known as the Bambarria. The song would be played at weddings with lyrics being encouraged to be made up, over 500-1000 known verses exist. The bride and the groom would tie a ribbon together on their toes and dance to La Bamba as a symbol of love, fistfights or knife fights would break out amongst guests as well. The word bamba is of African origin meaning wood referring to dancing on a wooden floor.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its name also alludes to a dance of Spanish origin called bamba, which was popular at that time.The oldest known historical references come from the town ofAlvarado, Mexico, where it apparently was performed with an atypically lively rhythm.
"La Bamba" is typically played on one or twoarpa jarochas(harps) along with guitar relatives thejarana jarochaand therequinto jarocho.Lyrics to the song vary greatly, as performers often improvise verses while performing. However, versions such as those by musical groupsMariachi Vargas de Tecalitlanand 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 Spanishverb"bambolear", meaning "to sway", "to shake" or "to wobble".In one traditional version of this dance performed at weddings andballet folklóricoshows, couples use intricate footwork to create a bow signifying their union.
"La Bamba" has its origin in the state of Veracruz, Mexico.The oldest recorded version known is that of Alvaro Hernández Ortiz,who recorded the song with the name of "El Jarocho". His recording was released byVictor Recordsin Mexico in 1938 or 1939, and was reissued on a 1997 compilation byYazoo Records,The Secret Museum of Mankind Vol. 4.
According to a 1945 article inLife, the song and associated dance were brought "out of the jungle" at Veracruz by American bandleader Everett Hoagland, who introduced it at Ciro'snightclubin Mexico City. It became popular, and the song was adopted by Mexican presidential candidateMiguel Alemán Valdéswho used it in his successful campaign. Later in 1945, the music and dance were introduced at theStork Clubin New York City byArthur Murray.A popular version by Andrés Huesca (1917–1957) and his brother Victor, billed as Hermanos Huesca, was issued onPeerless Recordsin Mexico around 1945–46. Huesca re-recorded the song forRCA Victorin 1947,and the same year the song featured as a production number in theMGMmusical filmFiesta, performed by a group called Los Bocheros. The song was featured in the 1946 Mexican movieRayando el SolstarringPedro Armendáriz.
The Swedish-American folk singerWilliam Clausonrecorded 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.Another version, "somewhatbowdlerized", was recorded byCynthia Goodingon her 1953Elektraalbum,Mexican Folk Songs.
Ritchie Valenslearned the song in his youth, from his cousin Dickie Cota.In 1958 he recorded arock and rollflavored version of "La Bamba",together with session musicians Buddy Clark (string bass);Ernie Freeman(piano);Carol Kaye(acoustic rhythm guitar);René Hall(Danelectrosix-string baritone guitar); andEarl Palmer(drums and claves).It was originally released as theB-sideof "Donna", on theDel-Filabel.
The song features asimple 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 onVH1's100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Rollin 1999, and No. 59 on VH1's100 Greatest Dance Songsin 2000. Furthermore, Valens' recording of the song was inducted into theLatin Grammy Hall of Fameand theGrammy Hall of Fame.
The song was listed at number 354 in the500 Greatest Songs of All TimebyRolling Stonemagazine,being the only non-English language song included in the list.It was also included inRobert Christgau's "Basic Record Library" of 1950s and 1960s recordings published inChristgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies(1981).Valens was inducted posthumously into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein 2001.In 2018, Valens' version was selected by theLibrary of Congressfor preservation in theNational Recording Registryfor being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".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.
The music video directed bySherman Halseywon the 1988MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film; it also featuredLou Diamond Phillips, the actor who played Valens in the 1987 filmLa Bamba.The song was also the fourth wholly non-English language song to top theBillboardHot 100.