Guantanamera
"Guantanamera" | |
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Song | |
Language | Spanish |
Released | 1929 |
Genre | Guajira-son |
Composer(s) | Joseíto Fernández |
"Guantanamera"(pronounced[ɡwantanaˈmeɾa];Spanishfor 'The woman fromGuantánamo')[1]is aCubanpatriotic song, which uses apoemby the Cuban poetJosé Martífor the lyrics. The official writing credits have been given toJoseíto Fernández,who first popularized the song on radio as early as 1929 (although it is unclear when the first release as a record occurred). In 1966, a version by American vocal groupthe Sandpipers,based on anarrangementbythe Weaversfrom their May 1963 Carnegie Hall Reunion concert, became an international hit. The song has notably been covered or interpreted byCelia Cruz,Compay SegundoandWyclef Jean.
Music
[edit]The music for the song is sometimes also attributed to Joseíto Fernández,[1][2]who claimed to have written it at various dates (consensus puts 1929 as its year of origin), and who used it regularly in one of hisradio programs.Some[who?]claim that the song's structure actually came from Herminio "El Diablo" García Wilson, who could be credited as a co-composer. García's heirs took the matter to court decades later, but lost the case; thePeople's Supreme Court of Cubacredited Fernández as the sole composer of the music in 1993. Regardless of either claim, Fernández can safely be claimed as being the first to promote the song widely through his radio programs.[3]
Pete Seeger version
[edit]Shortly after the Weavers'Carnegie Hallreunion concertrecording in May 1963,Pete Seegerincluded the song on his albumWe Shall Overcome,which was also performed live at Carnegie Hall. Seeger's recording is described by Stewart Mason atAllMusicas the "definitive version" of the song.[4][5]
The version of the song created by Martí and Orbón was used by Seeger as the basis of his reworked version, which he based on a performance of the song by Héctor Angulo. Seeger combined Martí's verse with the tune,[citation needed]with the intention that it be used by thepeace movementat the time of theCuban Missile Crisis.He urged that people sing the song as a symbol of unity between the American and Cuban peoples, and called for it to be sung inSpanishto "hasten the day [that] the USA... is some sort of bilingual country."[6]
The Sandpipers version
[edit]"Guantanamera" | ||||
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Singlebythe Sandpipers | ||||
B-side | "What Makes You Dream, Pretty Girl?" | |||
Released | July 1966[7] | |||
Genre | Pop,easy listening,Latin,Folk | |||
Length | 3:10 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | Héctor Angulo,José Martí,Pete Seeger | |||
Producer(s) | Tommy LiPuma | |||
The Sandpiperssingles chronology | ||||
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The most commercially successful version of "Guantanamera" in the English-speaking world was recorded by theeasy listeningvocal groupthe Sandpipersin 1966. Their recording was based on the Weavers' 1963 Carnegie Hall reunion concert rendition and was arranged byMort Garsonand produced byTommy LiPuma.In addition to the group's vocals, the version includesRobie Lesteron background vocals and narration by producer LiPuma.[8]It reached No. 9 on theBillboardHot 100[9]and No. 7 on theUK Singles Chart.[10]
Charts
[edit]Chart (1966) | Peak position |
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CanadianRPMTop Tracks | 10 |
Ireland (IRMA)[11] | 3 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] | 3 |
New Zealand (Listener)[13] | 7 |
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[14] | 2 |
UK Singles(OCC)[15] | 7 |
USBillboardHot 100[16] | 9 |
USAdult Contemporary(Billboard)[17] | 3 |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[18] | 22 |
Celia Cruz version
[edit]"Guantanamera" is one of the songs most commonly identified with Cuban singerCelia Cruz(1925–2003). It appears on at least 241 different records or compilations of hers,[19]her earliest commercial recording of it being on the Mexican label Tico Records[20]in 1968. She mentions her special memories of singing "Guantanamera" nine times in her posthumous 2004 autobiography.[21]
Charts
[edit]Chart (2010) | Peak position |
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USBillboardWorld Digital Songs Sales[22] | 2 |
Wyclef Jean version
[edit]"Guantanamera" | ||||
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SinglebyWyclef JeanfeaturingLauryn Hill,Celia Cruz,and Jeni Fujita | ||||
from the albumWyclef Jean Presents The Carnival | ||||
Released | October 8, 1997 | |||
Genre | Hip hop,Latin,Pop | |||
Length | 4:30 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jerry Duplessis,Lauryn Hill,Pete Seeger,Julián Orbón,Joseíto Fernández,José Martí | |||
Producer(s) | Wyclef Jean | |||
Wyclef Jeansingles chronology | ||||
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Wyclef Jean's version of the song is not a cover of the original, but an incorporation with additional lyrics/music.[23]The album version of the song featured singing by Jeni Fujita alongsideCelia Cruz(who re-recorded her vocals for the song), with an additional rap verse byLauryn Hill.[24]
The song was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.[25]The song peaked at number 29 on theBillboardRhythmic Airplaychart, and peaked within the top 40 in several countries, including the United Kingdom. Former United States PresidentBarack Obamalisted the song on his 2022summer playlist.[26]
Charts
[edit]Chart (1997) | Peak position |
---|---|
Germany (Official German Charts)[27] | 29 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] | 28 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] | 32 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[30] | 15 |
Scotland(OCC)[31] | 47 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[32] | 48 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] | 19 |
UK Singles(OCC)[34] | 25 |
UK Hip Hop/R&B(OCC)[35] | 10 |
USRhythmic(Billboard)[36] | 29 |
Other recordings
[edit]The song has been recorded by many solo artists, includingBárbara y Dickwho took the song to no. 1 in Argentina,[37]Demis Roussos,Willy Chirino,Julio Iglesias,Joan Baez,Albita,Jimmy Buffett,Bobby Darin,Raul Malo,Joe Dassin,Muslim Magomayev,José Feliciano,Tony Mottola,Biser Kirov,Puerto Plata,Trini Lopez,La Lupe,Nana Mouskouri,Tito Puente,Raulín Rodríguez,Andy Russell,Gloria Estefan,Phil Manzanera,Robert Wyatt(under the title "Caimanera" ),Zucchero Fornaciari,Ansuman Roy, and by such groups asThe Mavericks,Inti-Illimani,Buena Vista Social Club,Los Lobos,Pozo-Seco Singers,Todos Tus Muertos,The Spinnersand theGipsy Kings.
In popular culture
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Placo_de_Guantanamera_%28Guantanamo%29.jpg/220px-Placo_de_Guantanamera_%28Guantanamo%29.jpg)
- The tune of this song is a commonly used in Britishfootball chant,such as "There's only one [insert player/manager name]". For example, it was used forPaul Gascoigne( "There's only one Paul Gascoigne" ), but modified forGary Stevens( "There's only two Gary Stevens" ) since there were two players of thesame nameactive at the same time.[38]Other chants using the same tune include "You only sing when you're winning", and "You're gettingsackedin the morning ".[39]It is also used on the soundtrack ofPro Evolution Soccer 2014,a football video game developed and published byKonami.Captain MorganOriginal Spiced Rum's 2019television commercialcampaign also features this chant.[40]Real Madrid also use this tune to sing "Reyes de Europa".
- The albumComedybyPaul Kelly and the Messengersfeatures a hidden song, fading to silence, singing "there's only oneDavid Gower".[41]
- Tony Lockett,a player in theAustralian Football League,was praised in the song "One Tony Lockett", using the tune of "Guantanamera",performed byJames Freud and the Reserves.[42]
- The song is played inThe Godfather Part II,at the café in Havana whereMichael Corleonetalks with his brotherFredo Corleone.[43]
- Richard Stallmanwrote and sang a version titledGuantanamero,an ironic commentary on theGuantanamo prisonand theWar on Terror.[44]
- On the American sitcom series ofGimme a Break!'s third season episode "Samantha's Protest",Samantha (Lara Jill Miller) leads a protest with other protesters against the demolition of a local historic Spanish site with the first few phrases of the song, which even the site's new owner (Abraham Alvarez) – who happens to be Hispanic – joins in momentarily before stopping himself.[45]
- On theSaturday Night Liveepisode of October 27, 1990,Patrick SwayzeandDana Carveyperform a fake ad about a fake compilation album called "Super Feud" show in which two famous singers, Valendez and Montenero, brag about how much fan mail they receive - starting with "one ton of fan mail," followed by "two tons of fan mail" - to the tune ofGuantanamera.[46]
- Pakistani pop starAlamgirrecorded an adaptation in the 1980s interspersed with unrelatedUrdulyrics, titledAlbela Rahi,which has become an informal signature tune and title for the singer (now based in the United States).[47]
- In a flashback scene on season 3 episode 3 ofMoney Heist,Berlin (Pedro Alonso) danced to the song recording by Compay Segundo after telling the Professor his plan of breaking into the vault of gold bars at theBank of Spain.[48]
- In 2014 the multimedia music projectPlaying for Changerecorded and produced a track joining together over 75 Cuban musicians around the world, from Havana and Santiago to Miami, Barcelona, and Tokyo.[49]
References
[edit]- ^abCheal, David (March 13, 2015)."The Life of a Song: 'Guantanamera'".Financial Times.Financial Times Ltd.RetrievedMay 22,2016.
His chorus sings the praises of a guajira (peasant woman) from Guantánamo (the Guantanamera of the title)
- ^Vizcaíno, María Argelia, Aspectos de la Guantanamera, La Página de José MartíArchivedJuly 14, 2006, at theWayback Machine,Part 1, and Manuel, Peter (2006), "The Saga of a Song: Authorship and Ownership in the Case of 'Guantanamera'".Latin American Music Review27/2, pp. 1–47
- ^"La Guantanamera por María Argelia Vizcaíno #2-2".José Martí.Archived fromthe originalon December 19, 2003.RetrievedSeptember 29,2016.
- ^Stewart Mason, "Pete Seeger at Carnegie Hall Review", AllMusic.Retrieved May 24, 2013.
- ^Gilliland, John(1969)."Show 34 – Revolt of the Fat Angel: American musicians respond to the British invaders. [Part 2]: UNT Digital Library"(audio).Pop Chronicles.Digital.library.unt.edu.RetrievedApril 29,2011.
- ^Josh Kun (November 2005).Audiotopia: Music, Race, and America.University of California Press. p. 6.ISBN978-0-520-93864-9.RetrievedSeptember 29,2016.
- ^Rodriguez, Robert (2012).Revolver: How the Beatles Re-Imagined Rock 'n' Roll.Montclair: Backbeat Books. p. 247.ISBN978-1-61713-009-0.
- ^Michael Bourne (1995)."The Billboard Interview: Tommy LiPuma"(PDF).Billboard magazine.RetrievedJune 14,2017.
- ^Whitburn, Joel (2003).Top Pop Singles 1955–2002(1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p.618.ISBN0-89820-155-1.
- ^Betts, Graham (2004).Complete UK Hit Singles 1952–2004(1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 92.ISBN0-00-717931-6.
- ^"The Irish Charts – Search Results – Guantanamera ".Irish Singles Chart.Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^"The Sandpipers – Guantanamera "(in Dutch).Single Top 100.
- ^"Flavour of New Zealand, 25 November 1966".Archived fromthe originalon April 3, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 19,2019.
- ^"SA Charts 1965–March 1989".RetrievedSeptember 13,2018.
- ^"Sandpipers: Artist Chart History".Official Charts Company.
- ^"The Sandpipers Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.
- ^"The Sandpipers Chart History (Adult Contemporary)".Billboard.
- ^"Offiziellecharts.de – The Sandpipers – Guantanamera "(in German).GfK Entertainment charts.To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON The Sandpipers"
- ^"Searching for" guantanamera celia cruz "on Discogs".DISCOGS.RetrievedMarch 19,2019.
- ^"Celia Cruz - Guantanamera".Discogs.1968.RetrievedDecember 22,2018.
- ^"Celia Cruz, My Life, an autobiography".June 24, 2017.RetrievedDecember 22,2018.
- ^"Celia Cruz Chart History -BillboardWorld Digital Songs Sales ".Billboard.RetrievedJune 3,2021.
- ^"Wyclef Jean:: The Carnival:: Ruffhouse/Columbia Records".rapreviews.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
- ^Bonita (March 30, 2017)."Wyclef Jean & Lauryn Hill's Collabo From The Carnival Was 1 Of Their Last And Best (Audio)".Ambrosia For Heads.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
- ^"Wyclef Jean".GRAMMY.November 23, 2020.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
- ^"Barack Obama Shares 2022 Summer Playlist: Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Rosalía, and More".pitchfork.July 26, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 16,2023.
- ^"Wyclef Jean – Guantanamera "(in German).GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^"Nederlandse Top 40 – Wyclef Jean "(in Dutch).Dutch Top 40.Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^"Wyclef Jean – Guantanamera "(in Dutch).Single Top 100.Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^"Wyclef Jean – Guantanamera ".Top 40 Singles.Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^"Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^"Wyclef Jean – Guantanamera ".Singles Top 100.Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^"Wyclef Jean – Guantanamera ".Swiss Singles Chart.Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^"Wyclef Jean: Artist Chart History".Official Charts Company.
- ^"Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40".Official Charts Company.Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^"Wyclef Jean Chart History (Rhythmic)".Billboard.
- ^Billboard,April 2, 1966 -BillboardHITS OF THE WORLD,ARGENTINA, This Week 1, Last Week 3
- ^Rushdie, Salman (December 26, 2008)."The People's Game".Step Across This Line.Random House.ISBN9781407021379.
- ^Tom Lamont."Tom Lamont on the chant-makers of British football".The Guardian.RetrievedSeptember 29,2016.
- ^King, Bill. "Getting to the root of my love of ginger,"The Atlanta Journal-Constitution,Wednesday, August 7, 2019.Retrieved August 21, 2019
- ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:"There's only one David Gower - Paul Kelly & the Messengers".YouTube.
- ^"James Freud and the Reserves - One Tony Lockett (CD)".Discogs.1999.RetrievedSeptember 29,2016.
- ^Movie Port."Godfather Part 2:" I know it was you Fredo "and Cuban Revolution".YouTube.RetrievedMarch 22,2020.
- ^"Guantanamero - Richard Stallman".stallman.org.
- ^Movie Port."Gimme a Break S3E13 Samantha's Protest".YouTube.RetrievedJune 22,2023.
- ^"Saturday Night Live" Feud "".nbc.
- ^"Alamgir's Albela Rahi is no surprise".The Express Tribune.February 4, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2021.
- ^"Money Heist | Guantanamera | Part 3 Episode 3| Netflix".Youtube.July 14, 2019.RetrievedApril 24,2022.
- ^"Guantanamera | Playing For Change | Song Around The World".Youtube.July 1, 2014.RetrievedApril 27,2024.
External links
[edit]- José Martí's poemVersos Sencillos,from which the verses ofGuantanamerawere taken.
- http:// cubamusic /Store/Artist/66/joseito-fernandez
- 1929 songs
- 1966 singles
- 1997 singles
- A&M Records singles
- Celia Cruz songs
- Cuban songs
- Association football songs and chants
- Guantánamo
- Joan Baez songs
- Lauryn Hill songs
- Cuban patriotic songs
- The Sandpipers songs
- Pete Seeger songs
- Song recordings produced by Jerry Duplessis
- Song recordings produced by Wyclef Jean
- Songs in Spanish
- Trini Lopez songs
- Bárbara y Dick songs
- Wyclef Jean songs
- Songs about Cuba