Document Type
Poster
Abstract
Scholars have written about the Latinx music industry, but the question of why select Spanish-language music has gained traction at particular moments in history remains unanswered. In response, this project argues that “Despacito,” “Macarena,” and “La Bamba” were the only Spanish-language songs to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in its 64-year history because of their movimiento, or musical, physical, and political movement. This project’s historical-textual analysis demonstrates how the songs’ musical, physical, and political movimiento—captured in references to rhythm, dance, and power, respectively—allowed them to cross geographic borders and genre charts.
Repository Citation
Westgate, Christopher, "Three Number-One Hits: "Despacito," "Macarena," and "La Bamba"" (2022). Humanities Department Faculty Publications & Research. 46.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/humanities_fac/46