If we comment on musical themes that marked an era, without a doubt “Macarena” is among them, as this single by the Spanish musical duo Los del Río reached worldwide fame in the 90s and continues to be heard by millions of people in various corners of the world today. planet, so much so that it was ranked in 2002 by VH1, the American music television network, as number 1 of all time.
Although the song is about a woman of the same name, there is a story behind her to be created. Next, we tell you who Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruiz Perdigones, members of the duo, were inspired to give way to this phenomenon.
THE STORY OF “MACARENA”
It was March 1992 when Los del Río were on a promotional tour of South America. As soon as they arrived in Venezuela they were invited to a private party by businessman Gustavo Cisneros.
To delight the guests, he requested the services of local flamenco teacher Diana Patricia Cubillán Herrera, who put on a show that left everyone speechless with her great dance and moves.
At that moment, and spontaneously, Antonio Romero Monge improvised a verse inspired by the dancer, whom he called “Magdalena” because of her sensuality. “Give your body joy, Ma’dalena, because your body is to give you joy and good things”.
Totally inspired, Los del Río soon decided to record a song with that verse and decided to change Magdalena to Macarena, in honor of a neighborhood in their native Seville. The rest remained the same.
It was in this way that “Macarena” became a hit in Latin America and part of North America. Faced with this phenomenon, DJ Jammin’ John Caride of Miami’s Power 96-FM requested that the song enter the station, but the managers refused, pointing out that the policy was to only play songs in English.
A NEW VERSION OF “MACARENA”
In order for the song to reach every corner of the planet, producers Carols De Yarza and Mike Triay wrote and recorded verses in English for the female voice of “Macarena” and remixed the melody. The song, now called “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” swept everywhere, published The opinion.
After 33 weeks, with the help of New York radio station WKTU, as well as a music video for the dance, the song reached #1 on Billboard’s pop chart.