Conga (song)
| "Conga" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Single by Miami Sound Machine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| from the album Primitive Love | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B-side | "Mucho Money" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Released | September 3, 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Recorded | 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Genre | Dance-pop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 4:14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Label | Epic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Writer(s) | Enrique E. Garcia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miami Sound Machine singles chronology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Conga" is the first hit single released by the American band Miami Sound Machine led by Gloria Estefan on their second English language album, and ninth overall, Primitive Love.
Background
The single was released in 1985 (see 1985 in music) and became a worldwide hit, reaching #10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and winning the Grand Prize at the 15th annual "Tokyo Music Festival" in Japan.
The single was certified Gold by the RIAA in the U.S. for shipments of 500,000 copies.[1]
"Conga" was re-recorded as a new remix in 2001, including samples of "Dr. Beat" and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" and was released on Estefan's fourth compilation album. This new song was released as a promo single in Spain and titled "Y-Tu-Conga."
Commercial performance
"Conga" became a worldwide success and is recognized as the Miami Sound Machine and Gloria Estefan's signature song. The single reached the top ten in various countries, including the United States and the Netherlands. The song was a minor hit in the United Kingdom, where the attention was based more on the single "Bad Boy". In Billboard magazine's year-end chart in 1986, "Conga" finished at #40.[2]
Music video
The video is set in a fancy club (the "Copacabana"), hosting a reception for an unspecified ambassador. After a boring piano rendition, the Miami Sound Machine is announced as the next featured act (though Gloria insists the setting is not appropriate for the song.) The more upbeat song becomes a hit.
Cover versions
- Charo, in her 1988 concert at Bally's in Reno.[3]
- La Toya Jackson, in her 1989 concert at Bally's in Reno.
- Sammi Cheng, a Hong Kong female singer, in her 2009-2010 tour Love Mi.
- George Lam, a Hong Kong male singer, into single 阿Lam日記, in his 1986 album 最愛.
- Japanese Guitarists Issei Noro of Casiopea, Masahiro Andoh of T-Square, and Hirokuni Korekata of KORENOS, As a band called Ottottrio, covered "Conga" on their Live Album, "Super Guitar Session Red Live", released in 1989.
- The Chipettes covered this song for the Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked: Music from the Motion Picture album and for the "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" film. This version is mashed with Yolanda Be Cool featuring DCUP's "We No Speak Americano".
Usage in media
Song was used in animated science fiction sitcom Futurama, episode Anthology of Interest II
Formats and track listings
Original versions
- Conga: Album Version (4:14)
- Conga: Dance Mix (6:06)
- Conga: Instrumental Version (4:14)
Remixes
- European Remix/The Stronga-Conga Remix (4:24)
- Conga 25 (3:58)
U.S. Vinyl 7" Single (34 05457)
- "Conga" (Album Version)
- "Mucho Money" (Album Version)
U.S. Vinyl 12" Single (49 05253)
- "Conga" (Dance Mix)
- "Conga" (Instrumental Version)
Europe Vinyl 12" Single (A12.6361)
- "Conga" (Dance Mix)
- "Conga" (Instrumental Version)
- "Mucho Money" (Album Version)
Holland Vinyl 7" Single (650060 7)
- "Conga" (European Remix/The Stronga-Conga Remix)
- "Mucho Money" (Album Version)
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1985-1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (RPM)[4] | 1 |
| Spain (AFYVE)[5] | 1 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 79 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 10 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | 60 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales | 1 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[6] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[7] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| ^shipments figures based on certification alone | ||
Release history
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| Europe | September 3, 1985 |
| United States | October 31, 1985 |
| United Kingdom | December 6, 1985 |
References
- ↑ "American single certifications – Estefan, Gloria & Miami Sound – Conga". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2013. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
- ↑ Conga (Single - 1985/1986)
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KUfy_KS8ZQ
- ↑ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0637&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=8kn68ssn6ehsg2dnr85fjfkat3
- ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Music Canada. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2013. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
External links
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