The Tymes’ lead vocalist, the late George Williams, was born on this date in 1935. Two of the group’s hits are on today’s playlist.
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Tunes Du Jour Presents Hispanic Heritage Month
As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, I’m excited to share a curated playlist that showcases the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latinx music. This collection of 30 songs is not meant to be an exhaustive representation of all contributions from those of Hispanic descent—such a task would be impossible given the vast and diverse musical landscape. Instead, it serves as a vibrant sampler, offering a glimpse into the variety and brilliance of Hispanic and Latinx artistry across genres and generations.
From the infectious rhythms of salsa and reggaeton to the soulful strains of bolero and mariachi, this playlist traverses a wide musical terrain. It features iconic tracks that have become global phenomena, such as Los Del Rio’s “Macarena” and Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” alongside lesser-known gems that deserve wider recognition. The selection spans decades, honoring both the pioneers who paved the way and the contemporary artists who continue to innovate and push boundaries.
As you listen, you’ll encounter the legendary Carlos Santana’s fusion of rock and Latin rhythms in “Oye Como Va,” the timeless “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens, and the groundbreaking jazz of Mongo Santamaría’s “Watermelon Man.” The playlist also celebrates more recent contributions, including Bad Bunny’s “MONACO” and ROSALÍA’s “SAOKO,” demonstrating the ongoing evolution and global impact of Hispanic and Latinx music.
It’s important to note that this playlist merely scratches the surface of the immense contributions Hispanic and Latinx artists have made to the world of music. Each song represents a gateway to exploring entire genres, regional styles, and artistic movements. I encourage listeners to use this playlist as a starting point for further discovery, delving deeper into the rich musical heritage it represents.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let this playlist serve as a reminder of the incredible diversity, creativity, and influence of Hispanic and Latinx musicians. It’s a testament to the power of music to transcend borders, unite cultures, and enrich our global artistic tapestry. We hope you enjoy this musical journey and that it inspires you to continue exploring the vast world of Hispanic and Latinx music long after the playlist ends.
Your (Almost) Daily Playlist (5-13-20)
Inspired by the May 13 birthdays of Stevie Wonder, Alison Goldfrapp, Mary Wells, Ritchie Valens and Bea Arthur.
Feliz Cinco De Mayo!
Hoy es Cinco de Mayo, y yo was thinking about Spanish-language songs that crossed over onto the US pop charts. That got me thinking about hit songs that were re-recorded in Spanish by their original hitmakers in an attempt to cross over the other direction. It’s a savvy business move, no? Why limit your audience, especially once the music business became more global?
Here is your Cinco de Mayo playlist:
The Day the Music Didn’t Die But Still
On this date in 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash. In his hit “American Pie” Don McLean referred to it as “the day the music died.” A little dramatic, no? The music didn’t die, but it was a tremendous loss nonetheless.
Today Tunes du Jour pays homage to these late, great rock and roll pioneers. On our playlist:
“Chantilly Lace” – The Big Bopper – The man born Jiles Perry Richardson’s only top ten hit, from 1958.
“Think It Over” – Buddy Holly – A top forty single from 1958.
“Donna” – Ritchie Valens – Valens’ only top ten hit, peaking at #2 in early 1959.
“American Pie” – Madonna – Madonna covered Don McLean’s classic for her film The Next Best Thing at the suggestion of her co-star, Rupert Everett, who sings backing vocals on the recording.
“Oh, Boy!” – Buddy Holly – A top ten single from early 1958. I recall Olivia Newton-John performing it on one of her television specials with guest stars Andy Gibb, Elton John and Cliff Richard. If memory serves, it went on for about forty minutes.
“Heartbeat” – Buddy Holly – The Knack covered this for their breakthrough album, Get The Knack.
“It’s So Easy” – Linda Ronstadt – Ronstadt had a top five hit with her cover of this song, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty. Ronstadt also charted with covers of Holly’s hits “That’ll Be the Day” and “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.”
“Not Fade Away” – The Crickets – An English quintet who went by the name The Rolling Stones charted in the US for the first time with their version of this tune. Not sure what happened to them.
“Buddy Holly” – Weezer – Buddy Holly couldn’t have predicted this song’s opening lines – “What’s with these homies dissing my girl? / Why do they gotta front?”
“Everyday” – Buddy Holly – James Taylor charted with his cover of this in 1985.
“La Bamba” – Ritchie Valens – It’s hard to believe this song only peaked at #22 upon its release in 1958. “La bamba” is Spanish for “the bamba.”
“Peggy Sue” – Lou Reed – This song was co-written by Buddy Holly, who took it to #3 in 1957.
“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” – Buddy Holly – Holly didn’t write this posthumous hit; Paul Anka did. This and “My Way” are my two favorite Anka compositions. I also love “(You’re) Having My Baby,” but in a different way.
“Words of Love” – Patti Smith – A pop combo from England covered this Holly composition on their album that in the US was titled Beatles VI. Not sure what happened to them.
“Maybe Baby” – The Crickets – The Beatles’ name was inspired by the name of Holly’s band, The Crickets.
“I’m Gonna Love You Too” – Buddy Holly – Blondie covered this for their breakthrough album Parallel Lines.
“Come On, Let’s Go” – Los Lobos – Los Lobos performed Valen’s music for the biopic of Valen’s life, La Bamba.
“That’ll Be the Day” – Modest Mouse – Written by Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison, “That’ll Be the Day” was Holly’s first hit, going to #1 in 1957. Given his immense influence on rock and roll, it’s hard to believe he died a year and half later.
“Rave On” – Buddy Holly – One of five top forty singles Holly had in 1958.
“True Love Ways” – My Morning Jacket – Holly wrote “True Love Ways” for his wife as a wedding gift. What did your husband get you?
Ten Facts About Little Richard
1) Mojo magazine’s list of “The 100 Records that Changed the World” placed Little Richard’s “Tutti-Frutti” at #1.
2) Pat Boone, who made a career of recording new tracks by African-American acts and sanitizing them for white audiences, covered Little Richard’s “Tutti-Frutti” in 1956 and had a bigger hit with it than Richard did. To avoid a repeat of this, Richard and his producer, Bumps Blackwell, rehearsed the follow-up single, “Long Tall Sally,” until Richard could sing it as fast as possible, with the thinking that Boone wouldn’t be able to sing it as fast. Little Richard’s version became his first top ten pop hit and the biggest-selling single in the history of Specialty Records. Unfortunately, Pat Boone also enjoyed a top ten hit with his version.
3) Richard wrote a song about a female impersonator from his hometown who was called Queen Sonya. He changed Sonya to Lucille, which became the song’s title. It became Richard’s longest-charting hit in 1957.
4) While on tour in 1957 Richard decided to give up rock & roll and enter the ministry. He left the tour ten days early. The original flight on which he had been scheduled to return home crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
5) In 1962 Richard returned to performing secular music while touring Europe. Sam Cooke was his opening act.
6) Later in 1962 Little Richard’s opening act was The Beatles. Richard taught Paul McCartney how to sing like he does.
7) In 1963 The Rolling Stones opened for Richard. Said Mick Jagger: “I couldn’t believe the power of Little Richard onstage. He was amazing.”
8) Members of Little Richard’s band at times include Jimi Hendrix and Billy Preston. This line-up can be heard on the track “I Don’t Know What You’ve Got (But It’s Got Me),” the last single released by Vee-Jay Records.
9) Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The Greatest Artists of All Time has Little Richard at #8.
10) Today is his 81st birthday.
Enjoy this playlist inspired by one of rock and roll’s originators, Little Richard.