Conga (song)

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"Conga"
Single by Miami Sound Machine
from the album Primitive Love
B-side "Mucho Money"
Released September 3, 1985 (1985-09-03)
(see Release history)
Format Cassette single
12" Inch Vinyl single
7" Inch Vinyl single
3" CD single
Recorded 1985
Genre Dance-pop
Length 4:14
Label Epic
Writer(s) Enrique E. Garcia
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Miami Sound Machine singles chronology
"I Need a Man"
(1984)
"Conga"
(1985)
"Bad Boy"
(1986)
Primitive Love track listing
"Falling In Love (Uh-Oh)"
(5)
"Conga"
(6)
"Mucho Money"
(7)
Greatest Hits track listing
"Dr. Beat"
(1)
"Conga"
(2)
"Words Get in the Way"
(3)
Music sample

"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.

Contents

Song history [edit]

The single was released worldwide in 1985 (see 1985 in music) and became a smash success around the world, providing the band worldwide mainstream popularity, 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 sales of 500,000 copies.[1]

"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 third compilation album. This new song was released as a promo single in Spain and titled "Y-Tu-Conga."

Music video [edit]

The video is set in a fancy club (the "Copacabana"), hosting a reception for an unspecified ambassador. After a boring piano rendition, the Miami Sound Machine is announced as the next featured act (though Gloria insists the setting is not appropriate for the song.) The more upbeat song becomes a hit.

Formats and track listings [edit]

U.S. Vinyl 7" Single (34 05457)

  1. "Conga" (Album Version)
  2. "Mucho Money" (Album Version)

U.S. Vinyl 12" Single (49 05253)

  1. "Conga" (Dance Mix)
  2. "Conga" (Instrumental Version)

Europe Vinyl 12" Single (A12.6361)

  1. "Conga" (Dance Mix)
  2. "Conga" (Instrumental Version)
  3. "Mucho Money" (Album Version)

Holland Vinyl 7" Single (650060 7)

  1. "Conga" (European Remix/The Stronga-Conga Remix)
  2. "Mucho Money" (Album Version)

Release history [edit]

Region Date
Europe September 3, 1985 (1985-09-03)
United States October 31, 1985 (1985-10-31)
United Kingdom December 6, 1985 (1985-12-06)

Chart performance [edit]

"Conga" became a worldwide success and is recognized as the signature song of the band and Gloria Estefan. The song reached the Top Ten in various countries, including the United States and the Netherlands. The song was a minor hit in the United Kingdom, while the attention was based more on the single "Bad Boy". In Billboard magazine's year-end chart in 1986, "Conga" finished at #40.[1]

Charts [edit]

Chart (1985-1986) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[2] 5
Canada (RPM)[3] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[4] 3
New Zealand (RIANZ)[5] 2
Spain (AFYVE)[6] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[7] 18
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] 16
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) 79
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 10
U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles 60
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 7
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales 1

Cover versions [edit]

Official versions [edit]

Original versions

  1. Conga: Album Version (4:14)
  2. Conga: Dance Mix (6:06)
  3. Conga: Instrumental Version (4:14)

Remixes

  1. European Remix/The Stronga-Conga Remix (4:24)
  2. Conga 25 (3:58)


See also "Y-Tu-Conga."

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Conga (Single - 1985/1986)
  2. ^ "Ultratop.be – Miami Sound Machine – Conga!" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  3. ^ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0637&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=8kn68ssn6ehsg2dnr85fjfkat3
  4. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Miami Sound Machine search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40.
  5. ^ "Charts.org.nz – Miami Sound Machine – Conga!". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien.
  6. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. 
  7. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Miami Sound Machine – Conga!". Singles Top 60. Hung Medien.
  8. ^ "Miami Sound Machine – Conga! – swisscharts.com". Swiss Singles Chart. Hung Medien.
  9. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KUfy_KS8ZQ

External links [edit]

  1. gloriestefanmyspace
  2. gloriestefanmexico.com
  3. 90millas.com
  4. gloriaestefandiscographydatabase