“Livin’ la Vida Loca” (La vida loca means “the Crazy Life” in English) is a number-one hit song by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. It was released on March 23, 1999 from Martin’s self-titled debut English album (he had previously released several albums in Spanish). The song was composed by Desmond Child and Draco Rosa and topped the charts during 1999. It received various Grammy Awards nominations and helped Ricky Martin obtain enormous success inside the United States and worldwide. In 2007, the song was ranked at number twenty-eight on the list of 100 Greatest Songs of the 90’s by VH1. It is Martin’s signature song.
“Livin’ la Vida Loca” is generally seen as the song that began the Latin pop explosion of 1999 and made the transition of other Spanish-speaking artists (first Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias, then later Shakira and Thalía) into the English-speaking market easier. Before this time, most non-Latino Americans had never heard of Ricky Martin until what CNN reported was a show-stopping performance of “La Copa de la Vida” at the 41st Grammy Awards show, which became a catalyst in bringing Latin pop to the forefront of the U.S. music scene. “Livin’ la Vida Loca” sold over 8 million copies, making it one of the best selling singles of all time.
Tag: Hits
Ricky Martin – Vida
“Vida” (English: “Life”) is a song recorded by Puerto Rican pop musician Ricky Martin for the One Love, One Rhythm – The 2014 FIFA World Cup Official Album (2014). It was written by Martin, Salaam Remi and Elijah King and produced by Remi. The song was chosen in a musical contest organized by FIFA and Sony Music which King won, and it was subsequently arranged for Martin to record the track. It was digitally released as the second official single from the compilation album on April 22, 2014. “Vida” is a Latin pop song that features guitar, ukulele, percussion, horn and exotic sounds with a Caribbean feel.
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics who praised the liveliness of the track and noted the consistency with other songs performed by Martin. It peaked at number 10 on the US Hot Latin Songs and became Martin’s 23rd top-ten single on the chart. An accompanying music video, directed by Kátia Lund and Lívia Gama of Bossa Nova Films, was shot in Rio de Janeiro. It features Martin singing and dancing on the beach accompanied by around 100 other people. Martin performed the song on several occasions including at the 2014 Latin Billboard Music Awards and on season eighteen of the Dancing with the Stars US series.
Mariah Carey – Honey
“Honey” is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly. It was released as the lead single from the album on August 26, 1997. The song was written by Carey, Puff Daddy, Q-Tip and Stevie J, all of whom served as the song’s producers as well. It samples “Hey DJ” by the World’s Famous Supreme Team, and “The Body Rock” by the Treacherous Three. “Honey” was a re-defining song in Carey’s career, pushing her further into hip-hop world. The song’s lyrics describe the feeling the protagonist feels towards her lover, and compares the sensation to honey, and its overbearing sweetness.
Black – Wonderful Life
“Wonderful Life” is a song by British singer Black from his 1987 album of the same name. Written by Black himself, the song was released twice as a single and was successful the second time, becoming a top ten hit in Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, Austria and Italy.
The music video was shot in black and white around the English seaside resort of New Brighton, near Black’s hometown Liverpool, and features New Brighton Lighthouse and Promenade. It was directed by Gerard De Thame, husband of Rachel De Thame, and won an award at the NY Film Festival in 1988.
Jessica Mauboy – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
Jessica Hilda Mauboy (born 4 August 1989) is an Australian R&B and pop singer, songwriter, and actress. In 2006, Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol; she had auditioned for the talent show in Alice Springs, Northern Territory to pursue a recording career. Mauboy subsequently signed a contract with Sony Music Australia.
In February 2007, she released her debut live album, The Journey, which debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart, and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association. Later that year, she briefly became a member of all-girl pop group Young Divas, before resuming her solo career early in 2008. Mauboy released her debut studio album, Been Waiting, in November 2008, which spawned her first number-one single, “Burn”, as well as the top ten hits, “Running Back” and “Because”. Been Waiting became the second highest-selling Australian album of 2009, and was certified double platinum. Her second studio album, Get ‘Em Girls (2010), included the top ten singles, “Saturday Night” and “Inescapable”. Mauboy’s third studio album, Beautiful, was released in 2013 and produced the top-ten singles “Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up)” and “Never Be the Same”.