LATIN SONGS IN THE MOVIES

We have a very varied catalog of outstanding Latin tunes ranging from vintage classics such as Tito Puente's OYE COMO VA, Ray Barretto's EL WATUSI, Herbie Mann's AFRO-JAZZIAC, Mario Bauza's TANGA RUMBA-AFRO-CUBANA plus Dizzy Gillespie's CON ALMA through to contemporary favorites like Enrique Iglesias's BE WITH YOU and ESPERANZA, Jon Secada's IF YOU GO, Limite's SOY ASI and Ricky Martin's SHE'S ALL I EVER HAD.

In addition, we have a number of Latin songs which were memorably performed in American movies. The basis of some of these were Spanish works such as Ernesto Lecuona's SIBONEY which was sung by Metropolitan Opera soprano Grace Moore in the 1937 romantic musical "When You're In Love". SIBONEY has been much recorded over the years by artists ranging from Bing Crosby to Placido Domingo and Bing's 1945 Decca version found the crooner accompanied by one of the most popular of all Latin-American bandleaders, the ever-smiling Xavier Cugat. The Rhumba King, as Cugat was nicknamed, appeared in various motion pictures and his band was often fronted by vivacious singers such as Lina Romay; together they performed our song BIM BAM BOOM in MGM's Esther Williams box-office smash "Bathing Beauty" in 1944.

Among the most memorable Latin movie stars was Carmen Miranda. Dubbed "The Brazilian Bombshell", she sashayed and bounced her way through a number of memorable routines, decked out in very flamboyant costumes and outrageous headgear plus platform shoes that many other dancers would never have even attempted to wear! Hollywood songwriters Mack Gordon and Harry Warren became experts at crafting novelty songs which Miss Miranda interpreted in a kind of double-talking psuedo-English dialect; the two standouts were the infectious samba CHICA CHICA BOOM CHIC and the equally memorable I YI YI YI YI (I LIKE YOU VERY MUCH), both of which were introduced in Fox's "That Night In Rio" in 1941.

The other face you'll recognize above is Dezi Arnaz who was a bongo-playing Latin heatthrob prior to his marrying and starring with Lucille Ball in their legendary 1950's comedy show. Desi also recorded SIBONEY and other EMI-published tunes he recorded include Jimmy McHugh and Al Dubin's SOUTH AMERICAN WAY (of which Woody Allen featured Carmen Miranda's version in his movie "Radio Days") and the Brazilian melody CARINOSO.

Other movies featuring EMI-published Latin songs include:

"Carlito's Way" (Universal: 1993)
Featuring EL WATUSI (Barretto) performed by Ray Barretto

"Cuban Love Song" (MGM: 1931)
Featuring CUBAN LOVE SONG (Fields/McHugh/Stothart)
performed by Lawrence Tibbett

"I Like It Like That" (Columbia: 1994)
Featuring I LIKE IT (Rodriguez/Pabon) performed by The Blackout Allstars

"La Bamba" (Columbia: 1987)
Featuring LA BAMBA (Valens) performed by Los Lobos

"The Mambo Kings" (Warner Bros: 1992)
Featuring TANGA RUMBA-AFRA-CUBANA (Bauza)
performed by The Mambo All-Stars
PARA LOS RUMBEROS (Puente) performed by Tito Puente
Plus a Latin version of I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE (Fields/McHugh) performed by Joe Loco

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Please remember that these lists are based on songs controlled by EMI in the U.S. and that control of certain copyrights varies by territory.

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ROCK ON !
Alan Warner

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