“Mambo No. 5” was originally conceived in Mexico by Damaso Perez Prado, but it wasn’t until some 50 years later that German recording artist Lou Bega revitalized the song by utilizing a 30-second snippet of the original while adding his own lyrics and a modern production.
An ode to his romantic pursuits from the past, the result was a smash hit for Bega that included an amazing 20-week run in France at the top of the charts, a #3 showing on the US Billboard Hot 100, and #1 positions in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands to name a few.
Here’s Latin Fury! performing “Mambo No. 5” from our PBS Special:
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