Conga (song)
"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. The song was written by the band's drummer and lead songwriter Enrique Garcia. The single was first released in 1985.
"Conga" | ||||
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Single by Miami Sound Machine | ||||
from the album Primitive Love | ||||
B-side | "Mucho Money" | |||
Released | July 1985 | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 4:14 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Enrique E. Garcia | |||
Producer(s) |
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Miami Sound Machine singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
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Background
According to Gloria Estefan in an interview in the Netherlands television show RTL Late Night,[1] Conga was written after the band had performed "Dr. Beat" in a club called Cartouche in Utrecht, the Netherlands. 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.[2]
"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 10 in various countries, including the United States and the Netherlands. The song was not a hit in the United Kingdom, failing to chart on the top 75. There the attention was based more on the single "Bad Boy". In Billboard magazine's year-end chart in 1986, "Conga" finished at number 40.[3]
Music video
The video is set in the fictional Miami night club Copacabana, hosting a reception for an unspecified ambassador. After a boring piano recital, the Miami Sound Machine is announced as the next featured act (though Gloria insists the setting is not appropriate for the song.) Despite the initial shock of his wife, the more upbeat song becomes a hit with the audience and ambassador.
Cover versions
- Charo, in her 1988 concert at Bally's Reno.[4]
- La Toya Jackson, in her 1989 concert at Bally's Reno.
- The Barrio Boyzz, on the 1993 album Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
- Sammi Cheng, a Hong Kong female singer, in her 2009–2010 tour Love Mi.
- George Lam, a Hong Kong male singer, remade the song as the single "Ah Lam 日記" with Cantonese lyrics for 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 Broadway cast of On Your Feet! sing "Conga" during Act 1.
- Jonny Beauchamp, Nathan Lee Graham and Daphne Rubin-Vega in the first season of Katy Keene.
- In 2018, Italian producers Roberto Surace and Blackchild did a tech house version called "Do The Konga".[5]
Formats and track listings
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
2. | "Mucho Money" | Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil | 4:44 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" (Dance Mix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 6:00 |
2. | "Conga" (Instrumental Version) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
2. | "Mucho Money" | Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil | 4:44 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
2. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
2. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" (Dance Mix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 6:00 |
2. | "Conga" (Instrumental Version) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
2. | "Mucho Money" | Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil | 4:44 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
2. | "Mucho Money" | Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil | 4:44 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:14 |
2. | "Mucho Money" | Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil | 4:44 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" (Dance Mix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 6:00 |
2. | "Conga" (Instrumental Version) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" (Dance Mix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 6:00 |
2. | "Conga" (Instrumental Version) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" (European Remix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:25 |
2. | "Mucho Money" | Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil | 4:44 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" (European Remix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:25 |
2. | "Conga" (Instrumental Version) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:52 |
3. | "Mucho Money" | Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil | 4:44 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" (European Remix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:25 |
2. | "Conga" (Dance Mix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 6:00 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Conga" (European Remix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 4:25 |
2. | "Conga" (Dance Mix) | Enrique E. Garcia | 6:00 |
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Canada (Music Canada)[21] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[22] | 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
- Fragment on YouTube
- "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)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KUfy_KS8ZQ
- "Do The Konga (Original Mix) by Roberto Surace, Blackchild (ITA)". Beatport. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 199. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and 26 June 1988.
- "Ultratop.be – Miami Sound Machine – Conga" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0637." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Miami Sound Machine – Conga" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- "Charts.nz – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- "Swedishcharts.com – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- "Swisscharts.com – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- Nielsen Business Media, Inc (December 27, 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 98 (52): Y-21.
- "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.