Three Spanish Language Songs That Reached the Billboard Hot 100

From the beginning of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958 until the end of the 20th Century, the vast majority of songs to reach the chart were in the English language. That is not to say that songs from other languages did not reach the chart from time to time. From August 8, 1958, when the chart started, to the end of the century, nine different Spanish language songs hit the chart, ten if one counts the fact that two different versions of the song reached the chart. Here are three of those songs. Here I want to point out that in each of these cases the artists were Americans.

"La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens: Ritchie Valens's version of "La Bamba" was not only the very first Spanish-language song to reach the Billboard Hot 100, but the first Chicano or Latino song, period. Although Ritchie Valens's version is considered a rock 'n' roll song, it is actually a traditional song that could go back to the late 17th Century. It was often performed at weddings and its lyrics could vary considerably. "La Bomba" had been recorded before Ritchie Valens recorded his version.  El Jarocho recorded a version that was released in Mexico in 1938. 

As to Ritchie Valens, he was a Chicano born in San Fernando Valley. He had leaned the song when he was very young from a cousin. It was in 1958 that he recorded a version of "La Bamba" infused with rock 'n' roll. The song proved to be a hit, going to no. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 1 on the Canadian chart. It was in 1987 that a biopic based on Ritchie Valens's life was released. Titled La Bamba, it featured a version of the song recorded by Los Lobos. This version actually went to no. 1 on the Billboard  Hot 100.

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"Guantanamera" by The Sandpipers:

"Guantanamera" literally means "the woman from Guantánamo." It is a Cuban patriotic song. The lyrics came from a poem by Cuban poet José Martí and the music has been attributed to Cuban singer and songwriter Joseíto Fernández. While it is unclear when the song was first recorded, it was Joseíto Fernández who popularized the song on radio, reportedly performing it as early 1928. American folk group The Weavers performed "Guantanamera" at their reunion concert at Carnegie Hall in May 1963. Afterwards Pete Seeger included the song on 1963 album We Shall Overcome. The Sandpipers based their version on The Weavers' arrangement. They released it as a single and it proved to be a hit going to no, 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. 



"Oye Cómo Va" by Santana

"Oye Cómo Va" did not originate with Santana, nor was it a traditional song whose origins were shrouded in mystery. Instead, it was written by the legendary Tito Puente and released on his album El Rey Bravo in 1963. IT would go onto become of Tito Puente's more popular songs, and he would record several live versions over the years. The rock band, led by Mexican American guitarist Carlos Santana, recorded their version for their second studio album, Abraxas. The band had already performed the song several times at concerts and it had proven popular with audiences. Santana's version of "Oye Cómo Va" had more of a rock flavour, as opposed to Tito Puente's original jazz version. Santana's version went to no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. 


"Oye Cómo Va" would not be the last Spanish language song to hit the Billboard Hot 100 in the 20th Century. And the 21st Century has seen even more Spanish language songs hit the Hot 100, although it is still rate for them to make the top ten. As the century progresses, one has to suspect there will be many more.