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Macarena
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Macarena
| cover = Remix of Los Del Rio's Macarena by The Bayside Boys European CD.jpeg
| caption = One of artworks for 1995 European release of The Bayside Boys Mix
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Los del Ro
| album = A m me gusta Fiesta Macarena
| released =
| recorded = 1992; 1994
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 4:12 (Bayside Boys mix)
| label = RCA
| writer =
| producer = Los del Ro
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Macarena Christmas
| next_year = 1996
| misc =
}}
"'Macarena'" is a dance song by Spanish pop duo Los del Ro, about a woman of the same name. The song uses a type of clave rhythm. Originally appearing on the 1993 album 'A m me gusta', a subsequent remix by Miami-based producers The Bayside Boys became an international hit and inspired a dance craze in the latter half of 1996 and part of 1997. The song got the group ranked the " 1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of All Time" by VH1 in 2002. In 2012, it was ranked No. 7 on 'Billboard's All Time Top 100. It also ranked at No. 1 on 'Billboard's All Time Latin Songs.
Composition
"Macarena"s composition features a variant on the clave rhythm. The song is written in the key of A major, moves at a tempo of 103 beats per minute, and follows the repeated chord progression AG throughout.
Origin and history
As a result of their lounge act, Los del Ro were invited to tour South America in 1992 and, while visiting Venezuela, they were invited to a private party held by the Venezuelan impresario Gustavo Cisneros. During the celebration, a local flamenco teacher, Diana Patricia Cubilln Herrera, performed a dance for the guests, and Los del Ro were pleasantly surprised by Cubilln's dance skills. Spontaneously, Antonio Romero Monge, one half of the Los del Ro duo, recited the song's chorus-to-be on the spot, as an accolade to Cubilln: '"Diana, dale a tu cuerpo alegra y cosas buenas!'"' ("Give your body some joy, Diana"). When Monge wrote the song, he changed the name to Macarena, in honor of Antonio's daughter Esperanza Macarena.
Spanish-language remix
In 1993, RCA Records released Macarena as a single in Spain along with two house remixes by Spanish group Fangoria, intended to popularize the song in nightclubs and discotheques. These remixes changed the flamenco rhythm of the song to an electronic beat. According to Alaska, member of Fangoria, the Bayside Boys remix that followed in 1996 took their version labelled "Macarena (River F Remix)" as its base. The band denounced it as plagiarism on the Court of Justice of the European Union but the case did not go through.English-language remix
In mid-1996, the song became a worldwide hit roughly one year after the Bayside Boys (composed of Mike Triay and Carlos de Yarza) produced a remix of the song that added English lyrics. Jammin Johnny Caride, a radio personality at Power 96 in Miami, first learned of the "Macarena" when clubgoers at a club where he worked as a deejay requested the song. Caride brought the "Macarena" to his supervisors at Power 96 who asked him to create an English-language version of the song.
Caride recruited his two partners at Bayside Records, Mike "In The Night" Triay and Carlos de Yarza, to remix the original song. The new, English-language lyrics were written by Carlos de Yarza. The Bayside Boys, Triay and de Yarza, added a new dance beat with English-language lyrics sung originally by a studio singer, then later during a concert tour by Carla Vanessa. Vanessa accepted a fixed-fee contract for her participation and live performances, and so does not receive any residual performer royalties.Lump Magazine Interview - http://lump.ws/post/161162516903/carla-vanessa Retrieved 28 May 2017 The finished version was called "Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)." The Bayside Boys remix hit No. 1 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in August 1996 and remained at the top of the chart for fourteen weeks.
Critical reception
Dan Glaister from 'The Guardian' said that "Macarena" is imitating the successes of previous summer pop sensations, such as "Y Viva Espana", "Agadoo" and "Saturday Night"."Macarena fever a rhythmic rehatch of that Birdie Song." 'The Guardian' [London, England], 19 July 1996, p. 11. James Hamilton from 'Music Week's 'RM' Dance Update described the song as an "infectious cheerful girls giggled and guys chanted 'Me No Pop I'-ish original hit version of a jaunty hip wiggling dance craze huge for ages around Europe and now (breaking out of Florida) the US, in frisky flamenco clapped jiggling 103.2bpm Bayside Boys Mix". Peter Castro from 'People Magazine' wrote, "The Achy Breaky Heart flatlined years ago and the Electric Slide is short-circuiting, so what's a dance-crazed world to do? The Macarena, obviously." Dave Fawbert from 'ShortList' commented that "Macarena" is "a song that exists independently of cool, time, criticism it's just there."Popularity
The reworked "Macarena (Bayside Boys remix)" spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100 singles chart, becoming one of the longest runs atop the Hot 100 chart in history. The single spent its final week at No. 1 on its 46th week on the chart, recorded as the latest No. 1 single in Hot 100 history. 'Billboard' ranked it as the No. 1 song for 1996.Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1996 In the United Kingdom the song was released on 10 June 1996 and peaked at No. 2 on 17 August 1996, kept off the No. 1 spot by the huge popularity of the Spice Girls song "Wannabe." In Australia, it was the most successful song of 1996."Macarena" remained popular through 1996, but by the beginning of 1997, its popularity had begun to diminish. The song stayed in the Hot 100 chart for 60 weeks, the longest reign among No. 1 songs, only surpassed fifteen years later by Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". The Bayside Boys remix includes a sample from the Yazoo (also known in the United States as Yaz) track "Situation"the laughter of Yazoo vocalist Alison Moyet. The chorus uses female vocal samples previously used by the Farm in their song "Higher and Higher (Remix)" from their album, 'Spartacus'. The Bayside Boys toured the U.S. and the world, and featured singer Carla Vanessa.
In the United States, the song, and its corresponding Macarena dance, became popular around the time of the 1996 Democratic National Convention in August that year. C-SPAN filmed attendees dancing to the song in an afternoon session, a clip of which became popular on YouTube years later. Vice President Al Gore, having a reputation for stiffness, made a joke about doing the Macarena dance during his speech. He said, "I would like to demonstrate for you the Al Gore version of the Macarena," then remained motionless for a few seconds, and eventually asked, "Would you like to see it again?"
By 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 BBC News, during the year 2003 alonea full decade after the song's initial releaseRomero and Ruiz made US$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 No. 1. "Macarena" was also ranked No. 1 on a different VH1 documentary, '40 Awesomely Bad No. 1 Songs'.
On 'America's Best Dance Crew', it was danced to on the Whack Track Challenge, given to the Ringmasters.
In July 2020, digital publication 'The Pudding' carried out a study on the most iconic songs from the '90s and songs that are most known by Millennials and the people of Generation Z. "Macarena" was the eighth song with the highest recognisability rate.
Music video
The music video for the reworked Bayside Boys-remix of "Macarena" was directed by Vincent Calvet. It was choreographed and starred Mia Frye and features ten different women singing and dancing with Los del Ro against a white background. In contrast to the scantily-clad women, Los Del Rio is dressed in suits.
Accolades
(*) indicates the list is unordered.
Charts
"Macarena"
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
"Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)"
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1996)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Austria (3 Austria Top 40)
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)
|5
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
|2
|-
!scope="row"|France (SNEP)
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts)
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Iceland (slenski Listinn Topp 40)
|16
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)
|5
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
|9
|-
!scope="row"|Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
|11
|-
!scope="row"|Sweden (Swedish Dance Chart)
|32
|-
!scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
|1
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)
|22
|-
!scope="row"|US 'Billboard' Hot 100
|1
|}
Decade-end charts
All-time charts
Sales and certifications
}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|type=single|title=Macarena|artist=Los del Rio|nocert=true|relyear=1995|salesamount=10,000,000|salesref=}}
"Macarena Christmas"
Critical reception
Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' wrote, "Just when you thought this was just a version of their worldwide smash with a couple of jingle bells added, this seasonal single erupts into a cheerful medley of Joy To The World, Jingle Bells and Silent Night. For all those who are looking for an uncomplicated Christmas."Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Los Del Mar version
The song was covered by Canadian musical duo Los del Mar with vocals by Wil Veloz. It was first released in 1995. In their native Canada, this version was popular on MuchMusic and top 40 radio in 1995. It was reissued in 1996 in a new version with vocals from Pedro Castao, which was also featured on their album 'Viva Evita' (retitled 'Macarena: The Hit Album' overseas). In Australia, this new version reached No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart, below the Bayside Boys reworking of the original.
Critical reception
British magazine 'Music Week' rated the song three out of five, writing, "Hot on the heels of RCA's release of the original version by Los Del Rio comes a second, lower-key version of the Spanish dance tune. Whoever wins the battle, the song is destined to become 1996's Lambada, loved and loathed in equal measure."Music video
A music video was produced for the Los del Mar version. It shows Pedro Castano and his pet cat in an apartment getting ideas for the song's dance while watching people on television. By the next verse, more people dancing outside to the song wherein Castano joins in and sings. Later on, a mob boss and his sidekicks pull up in a car and asks if they can join the dance. Excluding the outro segment, the video cuts around 40 seconds from the regular song.Track listings
Will Veloz version
* 'Canadian CD single'
# "Macarena" 3:49
# "Macarena" 5:02
# "Macarena" 6:38
* 'German CD single'
# "Macarena" (Radio Mix) 3:15
# "Macarena" (Mar Fe Mix) 5:02
# "Macarena" (Ibiza House Mix) 5:56
# "Macarena" (Bola Remix) 6:38
# "Macarena" (Club Mix) 5:18
* 'UK CD single'
# "Macarena" (Radio Version) 3:48
# "Macarena" (Mar Fe Mix) 5:05
# "Macarena" (Gregorio Mix) 7:01
# "Macarena" (Beat Foundation-Full Frontal Mix) 6:21
# "Macarena" (Beat Foundation-Infinity Dub) 6:46
Pedro Castao version
* 'France CD single'
# "Macarena" (Radio Mix) 3:49
# "Macarena" (Bola Mix) 6:08
# "Macarena" (Summer Mix '96) 5:43
# "Macarena" (Mar Fe Mix) 5:03
* 'France cardboard sleeve/Australian CD single'
# "Macarena" 3:49
# "Macarena" 6:08
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Tyga version
{{Infobox song
| name = Ayy Macarena
| cover = Ayy-Macarena-Tyga.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = Tyga
| album =
| released = 13 November 2019
| recorded = 2019
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 2:11
| label =
| writer =
| producer = Pliznaya
| prev_title = Juicy
| prev_year = 2019
| title = Ayy Macarena
| year = 2019
| next_title = Freak
| next_year = 2020
| misc =
}}
On 13 November 2019, American rapper Tyga released a remix, rap version of the song, called "Ayy Macarena". J Balvin also sings the hook of the original song at the beginning of this version. This version has a more club-oriented sound. This version's official remix features Ozuna.
In addition to this, a music video premiered on Tyga's official YouTube channel on 17 December 2019, heavily inspired by the film 'The Mask.' Los Del Rio also make a cameo appearance, performing the original chorus at the beginning of the video and making sparse appearances throughout.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Other remixes, covers and parodies
MC Rage parody
MC Rage released the single "Fuck Macarena" in November 1996. It is a hardcore techno parody of Los del Ro's "Macarena" and mocks the original version's lyrics, as do the dancers in the music video. MC Rage sings vulgar mocking lyrics as an outburst against the huge success of "Macarena". It peaked at No. 7 on the Dutch Top 40 on 27 December 1996, and at No. 8 on the Dutch Mega Top 100 on 25 January 1997. The song has a music video featuring gabber ravers dancing hakken.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 No. 70 on the Hot Country Songs charts and No. 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. This version was released on Imprint Records and sold over 80,000 copies.Brujeria version
Death metal band Brujeria released the EP "Marijuana", a parody of the song with changed lyrics.Jay-5 version
Reggae and dancehall artist Jay-5 released the album "The Dancehall Macarena" on VP Records in 2015, featuring the song, 'Dancehall Macarena,' an upbeat fusion of dancehall moves, inspired by the infectious 90s classic.The single, 'Dancehall Macarena' is the first official Jamaican dancehall line dance. and gained over 1.6 million views on YouTube.
The success of "Dancehall Macarena" inspired a popular reggaeton version in 2016, "Dancehall Macarena Remix," by Colombian reggaeton artist, Japanese featuring Jay-5.
Gente de Zona version
In 2016, Cuban duo Gente de Zona teamed up with Los del Ro released a new joint version of the song, with new lyrics.Physics parody regarding the holographic principle
At the 'Strings 1998' conference in Santa Barbara about string theory, shortly after the publication of the paper "Anti De Sitter Space And Holography" by Edward Witten, Jeffrey A. Harvey composed a parody song "The Maldecena" about the Holographic principle.References
'Notes'
'Citations'
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