Soy Capitan!

How many songs do you know that are in another language? One? Every American knows Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba and that is saying something considering we are so averse to music in other languages. This song has managed to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers in a way to other song in rock and roll history has.

It really is quite amazing, when you consider all the years of music in other languages and nothing else has broken through into the American consciousness. (Does Despecito count?…let’s say ‘good songs’). There is actually a lot of great world music out there that is not on our radar because it isn’t English. That shows how transcendent this song really is.

Why though? I think it has a solid beat and it is about dancing so it is pretty innocuous: fun for the whole family and every generation. It is just solid fun and a great party song. If any song were to ever get me to dance this would probably have the greatest chance. That’s saying something. Ritchie Valens was an amazing singer-songwriter.

La Bamba Lyrics

Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba
Se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia pa(ra) mi pa(ra) ti

Arriba y arriba
Y arriba y arriba, por ti sere
Por ti sere
Por ti sere

Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan
Soy capitan
Soy capitan

Ba-ba-bamba
Ba-ba-bamba
Ba-ba-bamba
Ba

Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba
Se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia pa(ra) mi pa(ra) ti
Arriba, arriba

R-r-r-r-r, haha!
Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba
Se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia pa(ra) mi pa(ra) ti
Arriba y arriba
Y arriba y arriba, por ti sere
Por ti sere
Por ti sere
Ba-ba-bamba
Ba-ba-bamba
Ba-ba-bamba

written by Richie Valens