This week I want to write about the song “La Bamba,” adapted and performed by Ritchie Valens. This piece by Valens I believe perfectly embodies the Latin side of Rock ‘N’ Roll during this time period. The song perfectly reflects the influence that Valens’ Latin heritage and exposure to Rock ‘N’ Roll have on him as an individual. Ritchie Valens was a very big artist who was not in the music industry for a long time, but played a very influential role in the Latin Rock ‘N’ Roll genre. He released this song 1958, which was the year before he died in a plane crash at age 17. He along with other artists like Buddy Holly and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson died in that crash on February 3, 1959 and that day is now known as “the day the music died.” 

The song itself has a very upbeat tempo that makes you want to jump out of your seat and dance. This is actually very fitting considering the phrase “La Bamba” actually translates to “the dance” in English. The loud instrumentals mixed with the strength of Valens’ voice create a happy tone through the song. The guitar solo in the middle of the song adds an incredible element to the song. 

Although it is a very catchy song with a high tempo rhythm, the song is extremely repetitive and gets old pretty fast. The repeated lyrics and repeated beat pattern make the song bouncy, but after hearing it multiple times it was a little much.