“Macarena” spent 14th week on top

Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix) Los Del Rio

Writer(s): Rafael Ruiz, Perdigones, Antonio Romero Monge, SWK, Carlos de Yarza (see lyrics here) First Charted: September 2, 1995 Peak: 114 US, 12 CB, 28 AC, 19 A40, 2 UK, 16 CN, 19 AU, 2 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): 4.3 US, 0.6 UK, 11.0 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 222.61 video, 240.0 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Macarena” was a Spanish dance song originally released in 1993 by Los Del Rio, a Spanish flamenco-pop lounge act comprised of Antonio Romeo Monge and Rafael Ruiz. Monge wrote the chorus on the spot at a private party in Venezuela. WK Inspired by a local flamenco dancer named Diana Patricia, SF he sang about a woman named Magdalena. The term was associated with Mary Magdalene and her seedy past and someone who was sassy and sensuous. WK It was renamed Macarena, which means “Mother of God.” SF Jammin’ Johnny Carride, a radio personality and club DJ in Miami, saw how popular the song was with clubgoers and snuck in an airing of the song at his radio station, despite their policy to exclude non-English songs. The program director was hooked, but wanted an English remix. SF Carride recruited Mike Triay and Carlos de Yarza, his partners at Bayside Records, to remix the song. They added English-language lyrics and a new dance beat. WK In the original version, Macarena carouses with other men to get revenge on her boyfriend, Vitorino, who joined the army. The Bayside Boys remix, featuring lyrics sung by Carla Vanessa, paints her as more promiscuous. SF The remix topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in August 1996 and stayed there for 14 weeks, making it one of the longest-running #1 songs in history. Its 60 weeks on the chart also made it, at the time, the longest-charting #1 song in the chart’s history. WK Billboard named it the #1 song of the year. With easy-to-learn, accompanying dance movies, the song became an international dance sensation and iconic presence at weddings, parties, and sporting events. It was even featured at the 1996 Democratic National Convention when Vice President Al Gore, known for his stiffness, made a joke about doing the Macarena and then stood motionless for a few seconds. In 2002, VH1 ranked it the greatest one-hit wonder of all-time. WK In 2012, Billboard ranked it the #1 all-time Latin song. WK Resources: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Los Del Rio SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia First posted 10/30/2019; last updated 10/22/2022.