Macarena (song)

"Macarena"
Single by Los del Río
from the album A mí me gusta and Fiesta Macarena
Released	August 15, 1995 (U.S.)
Format	CD single, 7"
Recorded	1995
Genre	Dance-pop, Latin pop, flamenco
Length	3:51 (Bayside Boys Mix)
Label	RCA
Writer(s)	Rafael Ruiz Perdigones, Antonio Romero Monge
Certification	4× Platinum (RIAA)
Los del Río singles chronology
- "Macarena" (1995) "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" (1995) "Macarena Christmas" (1996)

"Macarena" (Spanish pronunciation: [makaɾena]) is a Spanish dance song by Los del Río about a woman of the same name. Appearing on the 1994 album A mí me gusta, it was an international hit between 1995 and 1996, and continues to have a cult following. One of the most iconic of 1990s dance music, it was ranked the "#1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of all Time" by VH1 in 2002. The lyrics are completely original, but the music it is based on has been accused of plagiarism, coming from the song "Tengo una pena" (I have a sorrow, 1975) from the Spanish band "Desmadre 75", at the same time based on a popular children's song known as "Trabajando en las minas de pan duro" (Working in the hard bread mines).

The song uses a type of clave rhythm. The song ranks at #5 on Billboard's All Time Top 100. It also ranks at #1 on Billboard's All Time Latin Songs. It is also Billboard's #1 dance song and one of six foreign language songs to hit #1 since 1955's modern rock era began.

Origin and history

As a result of their lounge act, Los del Río were invited to tour South America in March 1992 and, while visiting Venezuela, they were invited to a private party held by the Venezuelan empresario Gustavo Cisneros. Many prominent Venezuelans were in attendance that night, including former president Carlos Andrés Pérez.

Cisneros had arranged for a local flamenco teacher, Diana Patricia Cubillán Herrera, to do a small performance for the guests, and Los Del Rio were pleasantly surprised by Cubillán's dance skills. Spontaneously, Antonio Romero Monge, one half of the Los del Río duo, recited the song's chorus-to-be on the spot, as an accolade to Cubillán, but naming her "Ma'dalena" (Magdalena): "Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Ma'dalena, que tu cuerpo e' pa' darle alegría y cosa' güena'" ("Give your body some joy, Magdalene, 'cause your body is for giving joy and good things to"). In Andalusian culture labeling a woman "Magdalena" is to give her a faint association with Mary Magdalene's reportedly seedy past, and more accurately describes her as being sassy or sensuous.

Record breaking and worldwide impact

The song was originally recorded in 1992, and released in 1993 as a rumba. This was the first of six versions of the song that can be associated to Los Del Rio. Another version, a new flamenco rumba pop fusion theme with fully Spanish lyrics, attained significant success in Spain, Colombia and Mexico. It also became popular in Puerto Rico because of its use as an unofficial campaign theme song for then-governor Pedro Rosselló, who was seeking reelection under the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico's ticket. Being the base for many cruise ships, visitors to the island were constantly exposed to the song during their stay in Puerto Rico. This may explain how the song spread to — and became a hit in — cities with sizable Latino communities in the United States, particularly Miami and New York City.

After being remixed by the Bayside Boys and having English lyrics written and added by Grammy nominated producers Carlos de Yarza and Mike "In The Night" Triay and sung by Carla Vanessa, it became a worldwide hit in mid-1996. The single spent 14 weeks at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, one of the longest runs atop the Hot 100 chart in history. The single spent its final week at number one on its 46th week on the chart, recorded as the latest number-one single in Hot 100 history. During its heyday, the song was played frequently at professional athletic games, rallies, conventions, and other places. Many believe that a world record for group dancing was set in 1996, when a crowd of 50,000 people danced the Macarena in Yankee Stadium in New York City.

"Macarena" remained popular through 1996, but by the end of 1997, its popularity had diminished. The song stayed in the Hot 100 chart for 60 weeks - the longest reign among number-one songs, until Adele's 2010 number-one single "Rolling in the Deep" later broke the record fifteen years later, logging 65 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 chart (tying Jewel's 1997 single "Foolish Games"/"You Were Meant for Me"), though it was later surpassed by LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" later that year, after the latter logged 68 weeks in the said chart. The Bayside Boys remix includes a sample from Yazoo (also known in the United States as Yaz) track Situation - the laughter of Yazoo vocalist Alison Moyet. In Addition, the chorus utilized female vocal samples utilized by The Farm in their song "Higher and Higher (Remix)" from their album, Spartacus. The female singer on the remix was hired by the Bayside Boys, and at her request was uncredited. The Bayside Boys toured the U.S. and the world, and featured singer Carla Vanessa, although she is not the voice on the remix itself.

In 1997, the song had sold 11 million copies. While having only a 25% take in royalties from the song, Romero and Ruiz became immensely wealthy. According to the BBC News Service, during the year 2003 alone — a full decade after the song's initial release — Romero and Ruiz made USD $250,000 in royalties. Julio Iglesias is quoted as congratulating the duo personally: "My success singing in English from Miami is nothing compared to yours; coming out of Dos Hermanas with little international exposure elsewhere and selling these many records in Spanish takes two huge sets of cojones."

In VH1's 2002 documentary 100 Greatest One-hit Wonders, "Macarena" was ranked as #1. "Macarena" was also ranked #1 on a different VH1 documentary, 40 Awesomely Bad No. 1 Songs. Most recently, in 2010, Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio ranked the song at #10 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever while giving out an order: "First: Place your arm straight out in front of you at shoulder height, palm facing down. Then: Punch the DJ."

On America's Best Dance Crew, it was danced to on the Whack Track Challenge, given to the Ringmasters.

In the United Kingdom the song was released in June 1996 and peaked at number two on August 17, 1996. It was kept off the number one spot by the Spice Girls song "Wannabe".

1996 Democratic Convention

In the United States, the song, and its corresponding Macarena dance, became popular during the same week as the 1996 Democratic National Convention. The song was frequently played between activities, and large groups of delegates and other attendants would be seen doing the Macarena dance. The song and dance became such a part of the convention that Vice President Al Gore, having a reputation for stiffness, made a joke about doing the Macarena dance during his speech. He asked, "Would you like to see my Macarena dance?" He remained motionless for a few seconds, then asked, "Would you like to see it again?"

Music videos

There are two different music videos. The most common one, based on the Bayside Boys Mix and directed by French director Vincent Calvet, was created in 1996, featuring Los del Rio performing on a white backdrop. Ten women are also seen dancing with the band. Among them are Mia Frye, who choreographed the video, as well as a then unknown Tracee Ellis Ross. This version samples a line from The Graduate ("I am not trying to seduce you!") which was later removed due to possible copyright issues. The other, similar version of the music video was in black and white and was more instructional in that the women and men are clearly shown performing the specific dance moves.

"Macarena Christmas"
Single by Los del Río
Released	1996
Format	CD single, 7", 12"
Recorded	1996
Genre	Dance-pop, Latin pop
Length	4:04
Label	RCA
Writer(s)	Romero Monge, Rafael Ruiz
Los del Río singles chronology
"Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" (1995) "Macarena Christmas" (1996) "Baila Baila" (1999)

Christmas version: "Macarena Christmas"

Due to the overwhelming success of the song, a Christmas version of the song was created for the 1996 Christmas Season. It involved the original song with short lines from classic Christmas carols (specifically incorporating: "Joy to the World," "Jingle Bells," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "White Christmas" and "Auld Lang Syne") in between the popular verses.

In the music video, the young female dancers wear Christmas colored attire but there are nine of them compared to the ten dancers in the original. For the sequence featuring a new routine (the one being commonly used today), eight of them are shown with one of them being switched with a ninth dancer at times throughout the chorus.

Versions

• "Macarena" (Original) - 4:09
• "Macarena" (Bayside Boys Remix) - 4:12
• "Macarena" (Bayside Boys Remix - Original Promo Video Version) - 4:12
• "Macarena" (Bayside Boys Remix - Video Version) 3:45
• "Macarena" (Bass Bumpers Remix - Club Mix) - 5:40
• "Macarena" (Bass Bumpers Radio Remix) - 3:27
• "Macarena" (DJ Pero Latin Piano Mix) - 5:36
• "Macarena" (La Mezcla Guerrillera 130 BPM) - 5:35
• "Macarena" (Pulsar House Mix) - 5:40
• "Macarena" (River Re-Mix 103 BPM) - 5:02
• "Macarena" (Aaron Scofield's Powerhouse Mix) - 6:14
• "Macarena Christmas" (Joy Mix) - 4:12
• "Macarena Christmas" (Joy Mix - Club Version) - 5:44
• "Macarena Awards" (Hongpin Wang Mix - Ceremony Version) - 5:49

Charts and certifications

"Macarena"

End of year chart (1996)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1/98
End of year chart (1997)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	82

"Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)"

Chart (1995/1996) Peak position Australian ARIA Singles Chart 1 Austrian Top 75 Singles Chart 1 Belgian (Flanders) Ultratop 50 Singles Chart 1 Belgian (Wallonia) Ultratop 40 Singles Chart 1 Canadian Singles Chart 62 Canadian RPM Dance Chart 2 Danish Singles Chart 1 Dutch Top 40 1 Eurochart Hot 100 1 Finnish Singles Chart 1 French SNEP Singles Chart 1 German Top 100 Singles Chart 1 Irish IRMA Singles Chart 3 Italian FIMI Singles Chart 1 Norwegian VG-Lista Singles Chart 2 New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart 2 Spanish Singles Chart 1 Swedish Singles Chart 2 Swiss Top 100 Singles Chart 1 UK Singles Chart 2 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1 U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream 5 U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 7 U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Tracks 12 U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary 28 U.S. Billboard Adult Top 40 19

End of year charts

End of year chart (1996)	Position
ARIA	1
Canadian RPM Dance Chart	10
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1

End of decade charts

Chart (1990-1999)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	2

Sales and certifications

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)	3× Platinum	210,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)	Platinum	30,000x
France (SNEP)	Diamond	910,000
Germany (BVMI)	3× Gold	750,000^
Sweden (GLF)	Gold	25,000x
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)	Gold	25,000x
United Kingdom (BPI)	Gold	400,000^
United States (RIAA)	4× Platinum	4,000,000^
Total available sales:		6,350,000
*sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone xunspecified figures based on certification alone

"Macarena Christmas"

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	5
Finnish Singles Chart	12
French SNEP Singles Chart	34
Norwegian Singles Chart	16
Swedish Singles Chart	40
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	57

Preceded by "The X-Files" by Mark Snow "Tic, Tic Tac" by Carrapicho	French SNEP number-one single 15 June 1996 - 6 July 1996 3 August 1996 - 17 August 1996	Succeeded by "Tic, Tic Tac" by Carrapicho "Killing Me Softly" by The Fugees
Preceded by "You're Makin' Me High" / "Let It Flow" by Toni Braxton	Billboard Hot 100 number-one single 3 August 1996 - 2 November 1996	Succeeded by "No Diggity" by BLACKstreet featuring Dr. Dre
Preceded by "Because You Loved Me" / "The Power of the Dream" by Celine Dion	Australian ARIA Charts number-one single 31 August 1996 - 25 October 1996	Succeeded by "Wannabe" by Spice Girls
Preceded by "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio featuring L.V.	Billboard Hot 100 Single of the Year 1996	Succeeded by "Candle in the Wind 1997" / "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" by Elton John

Remixes, covers and parodies

"Macarena"
Single by Los del Mar
from the album Macarena: The Hit Album
Released	1996
Format	CD single, 7"
Recorded	1995
Genre	Latin pop, dance-pop
Length	3:49
Label	Lime Inc.
Producer	?

Los Del Mar version

The song was covered by Los del Mar featuring Pedro Castaño. Their version, which was very similar to the original and difficult to distinguish from it, was first released in 1995 and then again at the same time as the original in the United Kingdom and Australia. In the UK it only reached #43 in the charts, but remained charted for almost two months; however, the Los del Rio version peaked at number two. In Australia, the Los del Mar version was more successful than in the United Kingdom, and peaked at number two whilst the Los del Rio version was still at number one. In Canada, the Los del Mar version was quite popular on MuchMusic and top 40 radio in 1995, eclipsing the later popularity of the original.

Track listings

Australian CD Single

1. "Macarena" (Radio Mix) - 3:49
2. "Macarena" (Bola Mix) - 6:08

The Chipmunks and The Chipettes

In 1996, Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Chipettes recorded the song, in separate English and Spanish versions, for their album Club Chipmunk: The Dance Mixes. The English version remains one of the groups' most popular and recognizable covers.

The GrooveGrass Boyz version

In 1997, The GrooveGrass Boyz recorded a country music version of the "Macarena", with re-written lyrics. This rendition peaked at number 70 on the Hot Country Songs charts and number 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. This version was released on Imprint Records and sold over 80,000 copies.

The Art of Sound Group Mix

In 2008, Los del Río recorded a remix of the song in honor of the Macarena's 15th anniversary. The song, which was featured on their album Quinceañera Macarena, was produced by The Art of Sound and featured T Lopez, Yeyo of The D.E.Y. and El Chino Dreadlion. Recorded in both Spanish and later in English, the remake received moderate airplay on some Spanish music stations, such as WSKQ-FM, KVVZ, and WMEG.

The song and album were released in November 2008 by IMC records, who said "We totally reinvented the Macarena with the help of The Art of Sound boys in Miami and artists like El Chino DreadLion and Yeyo, but were lacking that feminine touch, and thanks to Cash Money Records we found that in T Lopez," IMC Records came across T Lopez when she was in Los Angeles recording at Candor Entertainment Studios.