Macarena

As we all know, the Macarena has been around for a bit. It was published last fall in Mobile Beat and since then has gone absolutely crazy. Why? Because it's fun and easy!

Everybody's doin' it! I've seen em doing it where they tum to the left and doing it where they turn to the right. I've seen it done in a chair. I have seen it done at weddings, parties, country dances and retirement homes. The other day, they were doing it in my swimming pool and when I looked out at my "Hillbilly" Mini Golf course there was a gentleman doing the butt wiggles while putting. To top it all off, I turned on my TV and there were baseball teams, crews and Even political conventions doing it!

Are we all NUTS? Yep, we sure are!

After asking myself that question, I thought probably so! I have decided to find out more about the Macarena. So I contacted a very close personal source I have in Spain! (my sister, she's lived there over 30 years) Here is some of what I found out. The del Rio are constantly giving thanks to the "Virgin del Rocio" (Virgin of the Dew) Which is the name of the Virgin Mary in Seville. Thus the name groups name Los (the) Del Rio!

Rafael Ruis and Antonio Romero are no longer known only in their hometown, Dos Hermana (Seville). Their artistic name, "Del Rio" has been on the list of the world's top hits! Neither Rafael nor Antonio can pronounce the word "Billboard" but they know that there song is on it's mighty list.

Rafel was quoted as saying that "This is a miracle, a gift from the Virgin del Rocio"! They have made several trips from Spain to South America, France and everywhere else you can imagine.

Who is Macarena? Diana Patricia is according to Rafael who says he wrote the song for her. He met her on one of his trips to Caracas, Venezuela. She's in her mid 20's, beautiful and a flamenco dancer and instructor. Diana said that, "I was at a party in Caracas. I got up to dance by invitation of the Del Rio's and Antonio thought of the famous phrase "Let your body show your happiness. When the song became popular, it was Antonio who told everyone it was my fault. In my country, I am known as Macarena."

The song originated in 1992 and was out by spring of 1993 and yet it took 3 years to get to the US main stream! The name Macarena came from the Macarena quarters in Seville. The Macarena quarters have their own unique rhythm pattems, it's in their blood! It was an immediate success in Spain but has taken 3 years to set the US on it's Beat!

What's next, some are saying! WOO! WOO! Comeon Ride This Train, by the Quad City
DJ's will be one of the next big hits to hit the dance clubs! If you don't have the single yet, you should definitely take a listen. It reminds me of the old LOCOMOTION! A lot of clubs are dancing it in a train fashion with lines moving back and forth! But it also has some body thrusts in there that make it more for the young at heart or those wanting to perform the mating ritual. I contacted Big Beat Records for a write up on the dance but it doesn't appear there's one yet. At the clubs that I have visited, here is how they do the "TRAIN" DANCE!

Holding your hands chest high, bump your elbow to the right then left (kind of like elbowing somebody you don't like!) Then reach up with your right hand and pull the train whistle to the song.