The Macarena: The Song That Will Never Go Away

Los Del Rio’s “Macarena,” despite being one on the most irritating songs ever created and a constant curse on the ears of anyone who is forced to attend multiple elementary school dances each year, is a nice success story for an Andalusian folk act with 40 years of toil in the notoriously tough Spanish music biz under their belts. Apparently the money from 14 weeks at No. 1 ran dry, because they’re back, and ready to party like they’re turning 15.



Ladies and gentlemen, the “new” Macarena.

The relaunch of the Macarena is in part an attempt to piggyback off the phenomenon of Quinceañeras, which are lavish parties thrown for 15-year-old girls of Latino descent. However, I can’t exactly tell what aspect of those occasions has been incorporated into the new Macarena. The whole thing has been sexed up a bit—which, if connected to the 15th birthday thing, creeps me out to no end.

But, hey, Jon Secada’s involved!

Currently, Los del Rio are in the studio with multiple Grammy Award winner Jon Secada producing the new version of Macarena. A nationwide search for the Next Macarena Girl is planned as part of a TV Special tentatively entitled “En Busca de Macarena” or “Searching for Macarena” in English. “I have had the privilege of writing hits for Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and myself among others,” says Jon Secada, “and now I have the privilege of writing and producing for Spanish icons Los del Rio. This is my first project producing under my company ‘Secada Productions,’ and it feels great to know that I am working on a hit.”

Secada’s track, as far as I could tell, turned out to be another remix of “Macarena.”

Still, the creative team behind Los Del Rio have high, high hopes (or an impossibly low view of both the Latin music scene and the Grammys).

“Los del Rio have played at the Super Bowl half-time show, done every major television show and even had president Bill Clinton dance the Macarena. Their new album celebrates 15 years of Macarena & 40 years of Los del Rio and features some really cool collaborations, but it is all a big surprise so stay tuned,” adds Darius Jordi Lassus. “Los del Rio have sold millions and received several accolades, including a World Music Award, we are now focusing on the Grammy.” Incidentally, Antonio & Rafael are already working on a song titled “A Por El Grammy.”

A World Music Award and working with Jon Secada aren’t enough? Maybe it’s time to step aside, Los Del Rio, and let someone else enjoy a taste of fame.

IMC Records Proudly Announces the Signing of ‘Los del Rio’ to an Unprecedented Deal Between Record Label and Recording Artists [PR Newswire]

 
grammys
2011 Grammys – Overrated? | Project Backstage
2007 Grammys Fashion | Frillr
Grammys 2012 notebook: The junking of commercial rock music
Look at the five 54th Grammy Awards nominees for both rock performance and rock song and it’s easy to envision an afternoon stroll through some enchanted forest: “Walk” by the Foo Fighters is competing against “Down by the Water” by ...
Grammys could be full of surprises
Adele may be a safe bet to clean up at Sunday's (local time) Grammy Awards, but if music fans think that means a night of few surprises, they should ask Justin Bieber. The Canadian teen idol left the Grammys empty-handed last year after losing the best new ...



 
  1. Audif Jackson Winters III  |   Posted on Dec 2nd, 2008

    Is there an Alison Moyet sample on the new version?

  2. Tenno  |   Posted on Dec 2nd, 2008

    Frankly if you have to sing about the award you’re gunning for, you’ve already lost the game. Just feels like begging is all.

  3. Guy_Whitey_Corngood  |   Posted on Dec 2nd, 2008

    Is Fergie a part of this somehow? This just isn’t as awesome as it could be, yet.

  4. chaircrusher  |   Posted on Dec 2nd, 2008

    I love the way they throw everything into this version: reggaeton, dancing girls, the set from Sabado Gigante, and 808 high hats! Ay indeed!

Leave a Reply

Sign In Login