Everyone alive in 1996 could not escape the craze that was the Macarena. From clubbers to kids, the world was hooked by the annoyingly catchy track.
But, eighteen years on can anyone actually remember who wrote it?
Los del Rio’s one mainstream hit has a bizarre history. Inspired by a frisky flamenco dancer that reminded the duo of the saucy past of Mary Magdalene, the track was initially a folksy number when first released in 1994. It was not until the Bayside Boys released a bilingual remix and threw together a hypnotic set of dance moves that the song became, according to one 2002 survey, the “greatest one hit wonder” of all time.
Their follow-up single was a bizarre Christmas sequel of the track. By sequel, I mean that they occasionally shouted “joy to the world” and added a couple of bizarre cat sound effects.
Los del Rio have released eight albums since 1996, and although none have been particularly successful, who needs success when the Macarena earned the duo $250,000 in 2003 alone?
