Conga (song)

"Conga"
Single by Miami Sound Machine
from the album Primitive Love
B-side	"Mucho Money"
Released	September 1985 (1985-09) (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"

"Conga" is the first single released by the American band Miami Sound Machine led by Gloria Estefan on their second English language album, and ninth overall, Primitive Love.

Song history

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.

"Conga" was re-recorded and mashed-up with "Dr. Beat" in a new re-mix in 2001, which 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

The video is set in a fancy club (the "Copacabana"), hosting a reception for an unspecified ambassador. After a boring piano rendition, MSM 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

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

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

Chart performance

"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.

Charts

Chart (1985)	Peak position
Dutch Top Singles Chart	3
Sweden Singles Chart	18
Switzerland Singles Chart	16
UK Top Singles Chart	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

• Charo, in her 1988 concert at Bally's in Reno.
• La Toya Jackson, in her 1989 concert at Bally's in Reno.
• Sammi Cheng, a Hong Kong female singer, in her 2009-2010 tour Love Mi.
• George Lam, a Hong Kong male singer, into single 阿Lam日記, in 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 Chipettes covered this song for the Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked: Music from the Motion Picture album and for the upcoming "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" film. This version is mashed with Yolanda Be Cool featuring DCUP's "We Speak No Americano".

Official versions

Original versions

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

Remixes

1. European Remix/The Stronga-Conga Remix (4:24)

External links

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