"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
"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
"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
MGMmusical filmFiesta, performed by a group called Los Bocheros. The song was featured in the 1946 Mexican movie Rayando el Sol starring
Pedro Armendáriz.[citation needed]
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]
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. The song ranked No. 98 in
VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll in 1999, and No. 59 in 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.
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Other notable versions
In 1960,
Harry Belafonte'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]
In 1963,
Trini Lopez 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.
In 1985, Canadian children's singer
Charlotte Diamond 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]
In 1987,
Selena 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]
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?".