Conga (song)

"Conga"
Single by Miami Sound Machine
from the album Primitive Love
B-side "Mucho Money"
Released September 3, 1985 (1985-09-03)
Genre Dance-pop
Length 4:14
Label Epic
Writer(s) Enrique E. Garcia
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 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. The song was written by the band's drummer and lead songwriter Enrique Garcia. The single was first released in 1985.

Background

The single was released in 1985 (see 1985 in music) and became a worldwide hit, 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 shipments 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 fourth compilation album. This new song was released as a promo single in Spain and titled "Y-Tu-Conga."

Commercial performance

"Conga" became a worldwide success and is recognized as the Miami Sound Machine and Gloria Estefan's signature song. The single reached the top ten in various countries, including the United States and the Netherlands. The song was a minor hit in the United Kingdom, where the attention was based more on the single "Bad Boy". In Billboard magazine's year-end chart in 1986, "Conga" finished at #40.[2]

Music video

The video is set in the New York City night club "Copacabana", hosting a reception for an unspecified ambassador. After a 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.

Cover versions

Formats and track listings

Original versions

  1. "Conga" (album version) – 4:14
  2. "Conga" (dance mix) – 6:06
  3. "Conga" (instrumental version) – 4:14

Remixes

  1. "Conga" (European remix/the stronga-conga remix) – 4:24
  2. "Conga 25" – 3:58

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)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1985–86) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 37
Canada (RPM)[5] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[6] 1
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
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[7] 63

Year-end charts

Chart (1986) Peak
position[2]
US 40
Brazil 59

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Canada (Music Canada)[8] Gold 50,000
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 500,000

^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date
Europe September 3, 1985
United States October 31, 1985
United Kingdom December 6, 1985

References

  1. ↑ "American single certifications – Estefan, Gloria & Miami Sound – Conga". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2013. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  2. 1 2 Conga (Single - 1985/1986)
  3. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KUfy_KS8ZQ
  4. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 199. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and 26 June 1988.
  5. ↑ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0637&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=8kn68ssn6ehsg2dnr85fjfkat3
  6. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  7. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Music Canada. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ "American single certifications – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2013. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

External links

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