It quickly became a major success, peaked at 22nd in the USA and is recognized as a rock standard. Originally a Mexican folk song, La Bamba is a rock'n'roll version by the American Ritchie Valens', who kept the songs Spanish origins. 99 LuftballonsĬlimbing all the way to number two on Billboard’s Hot 100, 99 Luftballons, whose anti-war sentiment may not immediately be understood, became so popular that it was re-recorded by Nena in English, ironically without obtaining the same success. The former car washer, referred to as "Mama Afrika," became a worldwide star, notably thanks to the song Pata Pata sung in her maternal language of Xhosa. Pata PataĮxiled for thirty years for her opposition to apartheid in her home of South Africa, Miriam Makeba traveled around the world with a message of unity. The song went on to top charts in the US and became an instant top seller. Domenico finished only third of ten but the public was still smitten. It gained popularity at the Sanremo Music Festival before representing Italy in Eurovision. In 1958 Volare was a classic Italian song, originally titled Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu ( In the blue that is panted blue). VolareĪs made famous by Domenico Modungo and Dean Martin Let’s take a little trip around the world and a crash course in languages with these seven global hits.
So, is a song’s popularity in its words? Or is it in the power of its melody? Perhaps, it is the foreign touch that gives it instant irresistibility? How else can the cult following of French artist Serge Gainsbourg by the Brits or the success of German group Rammstein in the U.S.
Some of the world’s most popular songs are not English. Music has no geographical boundaries, nor does it have a given tongue (aside perhaps from The Rolling Stones' logo).