Livin' la Vida Loca
"Livin' la Vida Loca" is a song performed by Ricky Martin. It was released on March 23, 1999, from Martin's self-titled debut English-language album (he had previously released several albums in Spanish). The song was composed by Desmond Child and Draco Rosa. La vida loca is Spanish for "the crazy life".
"Livin' la Vida Loca" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Ricky Martin | ||||
from the album Ricky Martin | ||||
Released | March 23, 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1998 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:03 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Desmond Child | |||
Ricky Martin singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music videos | ||||
Livin' la Vida Loca on YouTube | ||||
Livin' La Vida Loca" (Spanish Ver.) on YouTube |
"Livin' la Vida Loca" is generally seen as the song that began the Latin pop explosion that followed and made the transition of other Spanish-speaking artists (first Enrique Iglesias and Marc Anthony and later Shakira, Paulina Rubio and Thalía) into the English-speaking market easier. Before this time, most non-Latino Americans had never heard of Martin until what CNN reported was a show-stopping performance of "La Copa de la Vida" at the 41st Grammy Awards show, which became a catalyst in bringing Latin pop to the forefront of the U.S. music scene.[1] "Livin' la Vida Loca" is certified platinum in the US and the UK and is one of the best selling singles of all time.[2][3]
The song received various Grammy Awards nominations and Ricky Martin obtained enormous success inside the United States and worldwide. In 2007, the song was ranked at number 28 on the list of 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s by VH1.[4]
Recording
The song was the first U.S. number one single to be recorded without using then-conventional recording studio equipment; instead the track was created at Desmond Child's Gentlemen's Club Studio,[5] which utilizes a 169-track Pro Tools system.[6] The recording is also noted for its exceptional use of dynamic range compression to increase the track's perceived loudness.[7]
Music video
The video for "Livin' la Vida Loca", directed by Wayne Isham and starring Croatian model Nina Morić, was shot in Los Angeles. It aired later the same month and received six nominations at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards including Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Choreography in a Video and Viewer's Choice. It won two primary awards for Best Pop Video, and Best Dance Video, and was voted three additional awards in the international Viewers Choice categories. It also won Ritmo Latino Music Award for Music Video of the Year.
The video features Ricky Martin performing in a pub with his band and hanging out with a lady (Nina Morić) at different locations, including New York City. One scene shows several dancers taking their shirts off and performing choreographed dance moves while it rains; this scene coincides with the line in the pre-chorus "She'll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain". Various snippets of the video seem to merge into each other over the duration of the song. Towards the end of the video, Martin gets distracted by his lady passenger while driving, causing him to drive erratically and causing another car to veer and hit a fire hydrant, releasing a fountain of water; this was also the first scene of the video.
As of June 2020, the video has received over 300 million views on YouTube and is one of the most viewed music videos from the 90s.[8]
Chart performance
"Livin' la Vida Loca" is Martin's biggest hit. It was his first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining at the top in the United States for five consecutive weeks and ranking at number ten on the year-end chart of 1999. The single was certified Platinum for sales over one million physical copies in the US alone. It topped the Hot Latin Songs for nine weeks, and Latin Pop Songs for ten weeks. Although released long before the digital era, it has sold 502,000 digital copies in the US, becoming Martin's best-selling downloaded track.[9] On the Canadian RPM Top Singles the song stayed at the top for eight weeks, and on the Canadian Singles Chart for three weeks.
In the United Kingdom, "Livin' la Vida Loca" debuted at number one and stayed there for three weeks. It has sold over 900,000 copies and was certified Platinum.[10] The song also reached number one in Greece, Hungary, Ireland and New Zealand. "Livin' la Vida Loca" peaked inside top ten around the world and was certified Platinum, Gold and Silver in various countries.
Awards
Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Billboard Music Awards | Hot 100 Singles Male Artist of the Year[11] | Won |
Billboard Latin Music Awards | Hot Latin Track of the Year[12] | Nominated | |
Latin Pop Track of the Year | Won | ||
MTV Video Music Awards | Video of the Year | Nominated | |
Best Male Video | Nominated | ||
Best Pop Video | Won | ||
Best Dance Video | Won | ||
Best Choreography in a Video | Nominated | ||
Viewer's Choice Award | Nominated | ||
International Viewer's Choice Award — Latin America (North) | Won | ||
International Viewer's Choice Award — Latin America (South) | Won | ||
International Viewer's Choice Award — Russia | Won | ||
Ritmo Latino Music Awards | Music Video of the Year[13] | Won | |
Vogue Fashion Awards | Most Stylish Video | Nominated | |
2000 | ALMA Awards | Outstanding Music Video[14] | Won |
ASCAP Awards | Song of the Year Pop/Ballad[15] | Won | |
BMI Latin Awards | Winning Song[16] | Won | |
Grammy Awards | Record of the Year | Nominated | |
Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | Nominated | ||
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) | Nominated | ||
International Dance Music Awards | Best Latin 12"[17] | Won | |
Latin Grammy Awards | Record of the Year | Nominated | |
Premio Lo Nuestro | Song of the Year | Won | |
2004 | Premios Juventud | Best Re-Mix | Nominated |
Formats and track listings
Australian CD maxi-single #1
Australian CD maxi-single #2
Brazilian promotional CD single
European CD single
European CD maxi-single
|
Japanese CD maxi-single
UK CD maxi-single #1
UK CD maxi-single #2
US CD single
US CD maxi-single
|
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[73] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
Belgium (BEA)[74] | Gold | 25,000* |
France (SNEP)[75] | Gold | 161,000[76] |
Germany (BVMI)[77] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[78] | Gold | 25,000![]() |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[79] | Gold | 5,000* |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[80] | Gold | 10,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[81] | Gold | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[82] | Platinum | 900,000[10] |
United States (RIAA)[83] | Platinum | 1,200,000 (physical)[84] 502,000 (digital) [9] |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
See also
- List of Adult Top 40 number-one songs of the 1990s
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1999
- List of Billboard Mainstream Top 40 number-one songs of the 1990s
- List of Billboard Rhythmic number-one songs of the 1990s
- List of number-one Billboard Hot Latin Tracks of 1999
- List of number-one Billboard Latin Pop Airplay songs of 1999
- List of number-one singles from the 1990s (New Zealand)
- List of number-one singles of 1999 (Canada)
- List of number-one singles of 1999 (Ireland)
- List of RPM number-one dance singles of 1999
- List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1990s
- List of Romanian Top 100 number ones of the 2000s
- RPM Year-End
References
- "CNN - Ricky Martin leading the Latin (music) revolution - May 17, 1999". www.cnn.com.
- "LATIN MUSIC USA — Ricky Martin". PBS. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- "Ricky Martin's 'Livin' La Vida Loca' Turns 20: A Look Back at the Latin Heartthrob's Mega Hit". March 22, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- "Rock On The Net: VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s: 1-50". www.rockonthenet.com.
- "The Gentlemen's club: DESMOND CHILD'S VIRTUAL AESTHETIC". Archived from the original on November 2, 2013.
- "RECORDIN' "LA VIDA LOCA": THE MAKING OF A HARD DISK HIT - Mixonline". www.mixonline.com.
- Greg Milner (2009). Perfecting Sound Forever: the Story of Recorded Music. Granta Books. ISBN 978-1-86207-942-7.
Chapter 8
- "Ricky Martin - Livin' la Vida Loca (Official Music Video)". October 3, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
- "Ask Billboard - Viva la 'Vida' singer". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 28, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- Myers, Justin (July 11, 2014). "Official Charts Flashback 1999: Ricky Martin – Livin' La Vida Loca". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- "1999 Billboard Music Awards". www.infoplease.com.
- Lannert, John (April 29, 2000). "Pop Track of the Year, Livin' La Vida Loca". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 112 (18): 16. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
- "Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony win Latin Music Awards". Wn.com. September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "2000 ALMA AWARD". Retrieved August 15, 2014.
- Pesselnick, Jill (May 20, 2000). "Pérez Honored at 8th El Premio ASCAP Gala". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 112 (21): 123. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- "BMI Latin Awards 2000". BMI. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- "31st Annual International Dance Music Awards - Winter Music Conference 2017 - WMC 2017". Winter Music Conference. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- "Australian-charts.com – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Austriancharts.at – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ultratop.be – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ultratop.be – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Canadian Singles Chart". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8154." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8180." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 8174." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. June 19, 1999. p. 52-53. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin: Livin' la Vida Loca" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Lescharts.com – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Top 10 Greece" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- "Top 10 Hungary" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 329 Vikuna 24.6. - 1.7. 1999)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir. Retrieved July 14, 2018. Cite magazine requires
|magazine=
(help) - "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Livin' la Vida Loca". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- リッキー・マーティンのシングル売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 24, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Charts.nz – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca". VG-lista. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Spanishcharts.com – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Swedishcharts.com – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Swisscharts.com – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin Charts History". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- "Ricky Martin Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Ricky Martin Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Billboard Singles". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
- "Ricky Martin Chart History (Latin Tropical Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 1999". ARIA. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Rapports annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Top Singles - Volume 70, No. 8, December 13, 1999". RPM. December 13, 1999. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Adult Contemporary - Volume 70, No. 8, December 13, 1999". RPM. December 13, 1999. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "1999: The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. December 25, 1999. p. 20-100. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Classement Singles - année 1999" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
- "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Single Top 100 Van 1999" (PDF) (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Jaaroverzichten - single 1999". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Top Selling Singles of 1999". RIANZ. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Topp 20 Single Skoleslutt 1999" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005.
- Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- "Årslista Singlar - År 1999" (in Swedish). GLF. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2016.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
- "Swiss Year-end Charts 1999". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "Yearly Best Selling Singles 1999" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- "1999: The Year in Charts" (PDF). Billboard Radio Monitor. December 24, 1999. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- "Official Singles Chart 1990–99". Retrieved September 29, 2014.
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
- "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
- "SNEP Certifications Ricky Martin" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
- "Les Meilleures Ventes "Tout Temps" de 45 T. / Singles / Téléchargement". InfoDisc. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
- "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ricky Martin; 'Livin' La Vida Loca')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- "Italian single certifications – Ricky Martin – Livin' La Vida Loca" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 14, 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Livin' La Vida Loca" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
- "New Zealand single certifications – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca". Recorded Music NZ.
- "IFPI Norsk platebransje" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
- "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
- "British single certifications – Ricky Martin – Livin' La Vida Loca". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- "American single certifications – Ricky Martin – Livin' la Vida Loca". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
- "Backstreets, Cher, TLC Among Those Up for Record of the Year". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc.: 20 February 5, 2000. Retrieved August 9, 2020.