Conga (song)

"Conga"
"Conga"
Single by Miami Sound Machine
from the album Primitive Love
B-side	"Mucho Money"
Released	July 1985
Genre	Latin pop, dance-pop
Length	4:14
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Enrique E. Garcia
Producer(s)	Rafael Vigil; Emilio Estefan Jr.;
Miami Sound Machine singles chronology
Audio sample
	Menu 0:00 file; help;

"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. It was released in Australia on September 9, 1985^[1]

Background[]

According to Gloria Estefan in an interview in the Netherlands television show RTL Late Night,^[2] Conga was written after the band had performed "Dr. Beat" in a club called Cartouche in Utrecht, the Netherlands. 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.^[3]

"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."

A rerecorded version of "Conga" was included in Estefan's 2020 album Brazil305. Because of the new percussive arrangement it was renamed "Samba."^[4] ¨Conga¨ is written in the key of E minor.^[5]

A remix of "Conga" featuring Leslie Grace and Meek Mill was released in 2021 as a Bacardi sponsored and Boi-1da produced single.^[6]^[7]

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 10 in various countries, including the United States and the Netherlands. The song was not a hit in the United Kingdom, failing to chart on the top 75. There the attention was based more on the single "Bad Boy". In Billboard magazine's year-end chart in 1986, "Conga" finished at number 40.^[8]

Music video[]

The video is set in the fictional Miami night club Copacabana, hosting a reception for an unspecified ambassador. After a boring piano recital, the Miami Sound Machine is announced as the next featured act (though Gloria insists the setting is not appropriate for the song). Despite the initial shock of his wife, the more upbeat song becomes a hit with the audience and ambassador.

Cover versions[]

Charo, in her 1988 concert at Bally's Reno.^[9]
La Toya Jackson, in her 1989 concert at Bally's Reno.
The Barrio Boyzz, on the 1993 album Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Sammi Cheng, a Hong Kong female singer, in her 2009–2010 tour Love Mi.
George Lam, a Hong Kong male singer, remade the song as the single "Ah Lam 日記" with Cantonese lyrics for 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 Broadway cast of On Your Feet! sing "Conga" during Act 1.
Jonny Beauchamp, Nathan Lee Graham and Daphne Rubin-Vega in the first season of Katy Keene.
In 2018, Italian producers Roberto Surace and Blackchild did a tech house version called "Do The Konga".^[10]

Formats and track listings[]

U.S. & Canada 7" Single (Epic: 34 05457) [August 1985]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14
2.	"Mucho Money"	Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil	4:44

U.S. 12" Single (Epic: 49 05253) [August 1985]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga" (Dance Mix)	Enrique E. Garcia	6:00
2.	"Conga" (Instrumental Version)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:52

U.S. 3" CD Single (Epic: 34K 05457) [Reissue] {1988}
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14
2.	"Mucho Money"	Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil	4:44

U.S. Promo 7" Single (Epic: 34 05457) [August 1985]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14
2.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14

U.S. Promo 7" Single (Discos CBS International: DBS 10074) [August 1985]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14
2.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14

Canada 12" Single (Epic: 12EXP-05253) [August 1985]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga" (Dance Mix)	Enrique E. Garcia	6:00
2.	"Conga" (Instrumental Version)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:52

Europe 7" Single #1 (Epic: EPCA 6361) [1985]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14
2.	"Mucho Money"	Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil	4:44

Europe 7" Single #2 (MSM Group Photo Pic Sleeve) [Epic: EPCA 6361] {1985}
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14
2.	"Mucho Money"	Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil	4:44

Europe 7" Single #3 (Limited Edition Posterbag) [MSM Group Photo Pic Sleeve] {Epic: EPCA 6361} (1985)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga"	Enrique E. Garcia	4:14
2.	"Mucho Money"	Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil	4:44

Europe 12" Single #1 (Epic: EPCA 12.6361) [1985]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga" (Dance Mix)	Enrique E. Garcia	6:00
2.	"Conga" (Instrumental Version)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:52

Europe 12" Single #2 (MSM Group Photo Pic Sleeve) [Epic: EPCA 12.6361] {1985}
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga" (Dance Mix)	Enrique E. Garcia	6:00
2.	"Conga" (Instrumental Version)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:52

Europe 7" Single (European Remix) [Epic: EPC 650060 7] {1986}
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga" (European Remix)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:25
2.	"Mucho Money"	Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil	4:44

Europe 12" Single (European Remix) [Epic: EPC 650060 6] {1986}
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga" (European Remix)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:25
2.	"Conga" (Instrumental Version)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:52
3.	"Mucho Money"	Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael Vigil	4:44

Germany 3" CD Single (European Remix) [Epic: EPC 654866 3] {Reissue} (1989)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga" (European Remix)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:25
2.	"Conga" (Dance Mix)	Enrique E. Garcia	6:00

Germany 12" Vinyl Single (European Remix) [EPC 654866 6] {Reissue} (1989)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Conga" (European Remix)	Enrique E. Garcia	4:25
2.	"Conga" (Dance Mix)	Enrique E. Garcia	6:00

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Chart (1985–86)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[11]	37
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[12]	5
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[13]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[14]	2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[15]	2
South Africa (Springbok)^[16]	5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[17]	18
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[18]	16
Spain (AFYVE)^[19]	1
UK Singles (OCC)^[20]	79
US Billboard Hot 100^[21]	10
US Cashbox Top 100^[22]	17
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[23]	7
US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)	1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[24]	60

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)^[25]	63

Year-end charts[]

Chart (1986)	Peak position^[8]
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)^[26]	40
Brazil	59
New Zealand	15

Certifications[]


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[27]	Gold	50,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[28]	Gold	500,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[]

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)

Background music[]

In the Philippino movie, The Ninja Kids (1986) is used as background were 7 young boys are in danger before their transformation into ninjas.

It was heard in an episode of Drama Club titled "Build a Bench".

References[]

^ "Kent Music Report No 583 – 9 September 1985 > Singles: New Releases". Kent Music Report, via Imgur.com. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
^ Fragment on YouTube
^ "American single certifications – Estefan, Gloria & Miami Sound – Conga". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/brazil305-mw0003406173/credits
^ E, Garcia, Enrique; Machine, Miami Sound; Gloria, Estefan (2012-10-01). "Conga". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
^ Leslie Grace & Meek Mill Revamp Gloria Estefan's '80s Party Hit 'Conga': Here's A Comparison
^ Bacardi remixes 'Conga' with Meek Mill, Leslie Grace in UGC push
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Conga (Single – 1985/1986)
^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KUfy_KS8ZQ
^ "Do The Konga (Original Mix) by Roberto Surace, Blackchild (ITA)". Beatport. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
^ 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.
^ "Ultratop.be – Miami Sound Machine – Conga" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0637." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Miami Sound Machine – Conga" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
^ "Charts.nz – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
^ "Swisscharts.com – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
^ "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
^ "Cashbox Top 100: February 15, 1986". cashboxmagazine.com. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
^ "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
^ "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc (December 27, 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 98 (52): Y-21.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Music Canada. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
^ "American single certifications – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2013.

External links[]

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

[1] "Kent Music Report No 583 – 9 September 1985 > Singles: New Releases". Kent Music Report, via Imgur.com. Retrieved 21 April 2017.

[LateNight-2] Fragment on YouTube

[United_StatesEstefan,_Gloria_&_Miami_SoundCongasingleCertRef-3] "American single certifications – Estefan, Gloria & Miami Sound – Conga". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2013.

[4] ttps://www.allmusic.com/album/brazil305-mw0003406173/credits

[5] E, Garcia, Enrique; Machine, Miami Sound; Gloria, Estefan (2012-10-01). "Conga". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2021-06-08.

[6] Leslie Grace & Meek Mill Revamp Gloria Estefan's '80s Party Hit 'Conga': Here's A Comparison

[7] Bacardi remixes 'Conga' with Meek Mill, Leslie Grace in UGC push

[conga-8] Jump up to: ^a ^b Conga (Single – 1985/1986)

[9] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KUfy_KS8ZQ

[10] "Do The Konga (Original Mix) by Roberto Surace, Blackchild (ITA)". Beatport. Retrieved 24 June 2020.

[11] 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.

[sc_Flanders_Miami_Sound_Machine-12] "Ultratop.be – Miami Sound Machine – Conga" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 September 2016.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_Gloria_Estefan-13] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0637." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

[sc_Dutch100_Miami_Sound_Machine-14] "Dutchcharts.nl – Miami Sound Machine – Conga" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 September 2016.

[sc_New_Zealand_Miami_Sound_Machine-15] "Charts.nz – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 September 2016.

[16] "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 8 September 2018.

[sc_Sweden_Miami_Sound_Machine-17] "Swedishcharts.com – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 13 September 2016.

[sc_Switzerland_Miami_Sound_Machine-18] "Swisscharts.com – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 September 2016.

[19] Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[sc_UK_Miami_Sound_Machine-20] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 6, 2016.

[BB_HOT100-21] "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 September 2016.

[22] "Cashbox Top 100: February 15, 1986". cashboxmagazine.com. Retrieved 2021-04-08.

[sc_Billboarddanceclubplay_Miami_Sound_Machine-23] "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-25.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Miami_Sound_Machine-24] "Miami Sound Machine Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-25.

[Poland-25] "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved April 18, 2016.

[26] Nielsen Business Media, Inc (December 27, 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 98 (52): Y-21.

[CanadaMiami_Sound_MachineCongasingleCertRef-27] "Canadian single certifications – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Music Canada. Retrieved July 1, 2013.

[United_StatesMiami_Sound_MachineCongasingleCertRef-28] "American single certifications – Miami Sound Machine – Conga". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2013.

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show v t Gloria Estefan singles
1980s	"Dr. Beat" "Prisoner of Love" "I Need a Man" "Conga" "Bad Boy" "Words Get in the Way" "Falling in Love (Uh-Oh)" "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" "Betcha Say That" "Can't Stay Away from You" "Anything for You" "1-2-3" "Don't Wanna Lose You" "Get on Your Feet" "Here We Are"
1990s	"Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice)" "Cuts Both Ways" "Renacer" "Coming Out of the Dark" "Seal Our Fate" "Remember Me with Love" "Can't Forget You" "Live for Loving You" "Always Tomorrow" "Megamix" "I See Your Smile" "Hasta Amarte" "Go Away" "Mi Tierra" "Con Los Años Que Me Quedan" "Tradición" "Montuno "¡Sí Señor!..." "Mi Buen Amor" "Ayer" "Turn the Beat Around" "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" "Everlasting Love" "It's Too Late" "Cherchez La Femme" "Abriendo Puertas" "Más Allá" "Tres Deseos" "Dulce Amor" "La Parranda" "Reach" "You'll Be Mine (Party Time)" "I'm Not Giving You Up" "Higher" "Show Me the Way Back to Your Heart" "No Pretendo" "Heaven's What I Feel/Corazón Prohibido" "En El Jardín" "Oye!" "Cuba Libre" "Don't Let This Moment End" "Santo Santo" "Music of My Heart"
2000–2010s	"No Me Dejes de Querer" "Como Me Duele Perderte" "Tres Gotas de Agua Bendita" "Por Un Beso" "You Can't Walk Away from Love" "Out of Nowhere" "Y-Tu-Conga" "Wrapped/Hoy" "I Wish You" "Te Amaré" "Tu Fotografía" "Doctor Pressure" "No Llores" "Me Odio" "Píntame De Colores" "Wepa" "Hotel Nacional" "Cuando Hay Amor"
Other	"What More Can I Give "Somos El Mundo" "Almost Like Praying"
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