Guantanamera#Charts 3

{{short description|Cuban folk song}}

{{other uses}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Guantanamera

| cover =

| alt =

| type =

| artist =

| album =

| language = Spanish

| released = 1929

| format =

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Guajira-son

| length =

| label =

| composer = Joseíto Fernández

| lyricist =

| producer =

}}

"{{lang|es|Guantanamera|italic=no}}" ({{IPA|es|ɡwantanaˈmeɾa|pron}}; {{langnf|es||The woman from Guantánamo}}){{cite web |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/2a530e04-c407-11e4-a02e-00144feab7de.html |title=The Life of a Song: 'Guantanamera' |author=Cheal, David |date=March 13, 2015 |website=Financial Times |publisher=Financial Times Ltd. |access-date=May 22, 2016 |quote=His chorus sings the praises of a guajira (peasant woman) from Guantánamo (the Guantanamera of the title)}} is a Cuban patriotic song, which uses a poem from the collection Simple Verses, by the Cuban poet José Martí, for the lyrics. It is an expression of love for Cuba and of solidarity with the poor people of the world.{{Cite web |last=Altman |first=Ross |date=2016-12-22 |title=GUANTANAMERA: JOSÉ MARTÍ TO FIDEL CASTRO |url=https://folkworks.org/guantanamera-jose-marti-to-fidel-castro/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=FolkWorks |language=en-US}}

The official writing credits have been given to Joseíto Fernández, who first popularized the song on radio as early as 1929 (although it is unclear when the first release as a record occurred). In 1966, a version by American vocal group the Sandpipers, based on an arrangement by the Weavers from their May 1963 Carnegie Hall Reunion concert, became an international hit. The song has notably been covered or interpreted by Celia Cruz, Compay Segundo and Wyclef Jean.

Music

The music for the song is sometimes also attributed to Joseíto Fernández,[http://www.josemarti.org/jose_marti/guantanamera/mariaargeliaguan/guantanameraparte1-1.htm Vizcaíno, María Argelia, Aspectos de la Guantanamera, La Página de José Martí] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714233125/http://www.josemarti.org/jose_marti/guantanamera/mariaargeliaguan/guantanameraparte1-1.htm |date=July 14, 2006}}, Part 1, and Manuel, Peter (2006), "The Saga of a Song: Authorship and Ownership in the Case of 'Guantanamera'". Latin American Music Review 27/2, pp. 1–47 who claimed to have written it at various dates (consensus puts 1929 as its year of origin), and who used it regularly in one of his radio programs. Some{{Who|date=April 2010}} claim that the song's structure actually came from Herminio "El Diablo" García Wilson, who could be credited as a co-composer. García's heirs took the matter to court decades later, but lost the case; the People's Supreme Court of Cuba credited Fernández as the sole composer of the music in 1993. Regardless of either claim, Fernández can safely be claimed as being the first to promote the song widely through his radio programs.{{cite web |url=http://www.josemarti.org/jose_marti/guantanamera/mariaargeliaguan/guantanameraparte2-2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031219023502/http://josemarti.org/jose_marti/guantanamera/mariaargeliaguan/guantanameraparte2-2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-12-19 |title= La Guantanamera por María Argelia Vizcaíno #2-2 |website=José Martí |access-date=2016-09-29}}

Pete Seeger version

Shortly after the Weavers' Carnegie Hall reunion concert recording in May 1963, Pete Seeger included the song on his album We Shall Overcome, which was also performed live at Carnegie Hall. Seeger's recording is described by Stewart Mason at AllMusic as the "definitive version" of the song.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/pete-seeger-at-carnegie-hall-mw0000883882 Stewart Mason, "Pete Seeger at Carnegie Hall Review", AllMusic]. Retrieved May 24, 2013.{{cite web |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19793/m1/ |title=Show 34 – Revolt of the Fat Angel: American musicians respond to the British invaders. [Part 2]: UNT Digital Library |last=Gilliland |first=John |year=1969 |author-link=John Gilliland |work=Pop Chronicles |publisher=Digital.library.unt.edu |format=audio |access-date=April 29, 2011}}

The version of the song created by Martí and Orbón was used by Seeger as the basis of his reworked version, which he based on a performance of the song by Héctor Angulo. Seeger combined Martí's verse with the tune,{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} with the intention that it be used by the peace movement at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He urged that people sing the song as a symbol of unity between the American and Cuban peoples, and called for it to be sung in Spanish to "hasten the day [that] the USA ... is some sort of bilingual country."{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jYyyI-5xK8wC&q=guantanamera+seeger&pg=PA6 |title=Audiotopia: Music, Race, and America |author=Josh Kun |page=6 |date=November 2005|publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-93864-9 |access-date=2016-09-29}}

The Sandpipers version

{{Infobox song

| name = Guantanamera

| cover = Guantanamera_-_The_Sandpipers.jpeg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = the Sandpipers

| album =

| B-side = What Makes You Dream, Pretty Girl?

| released = July 1966{{cite book |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Robert |title=Revolver: How the Beatles Re-Imagined Rock 'n' Roll |date=2012 |publisher=Backbeat Books |location=Montclair |isbn=978-1-61713-009-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/revolverhowbeatl0000rodr |url-access=registration |page=247}}

| format =

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Pop, easy listening, latin, folk

| length = 3:10

| label = A&M

| writer = Héctor Angulo, José Martí, Pete Seeger

| producer = Tommy LiPuma

| prev_title = Everything in the Garden

| prev_year = 1966

| next_title = Louie Louie

| next_year = 1966

}}

The most commercially successful version of "Guantanamera" in the English-speaking world was recorded by the easy listening vocal group the Sandpipers in 1966. Their recording was based on the Weavers' 1963 Carnegie Hall reunion concert rendition and was arranged by Mort Garson and produced by Tommy LiPuma. In addition to the group's vocals, the version includes Robie Lester on background vocals and narration by producer LiPuma.{{cite news |author=Michael Bourne |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/90s/1995/BB-1995-09-16-OCR-Page-0051.pdf#search=%22sandpipers%22 |title=The Billboard Interview: Tommy LiPuma |newspaper=Billboard magazine |date=1995 |access-date=2017-06-14}} It reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100{{cite book |first=Joel |last=Whitburn |year=2003 |title=Top Pop Singles 1955–2002 |edition=1st |publisher=Record Research Inc. |location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |isbn=0-89820-155-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whitbur/page/618 618] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whitbur/page/618 }} and No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite book |first=Graham |last=Betts |year=2004 |title=Complete UK Hit Singles 1952–2004 |edition=1st |publisher=Collins |location=London |isbn=0-00-717931-6 |page=92}}

= Charts =

class="wikitable sortable"
align="left" |Chart (1966)

! style="text-align:center;" |Peak
position

align="left" |Canadian RPM Top Tracks

| style="text-align:center;" |10

{{single chart|Ireland2|3|song=Guantanamera |access-date=June 4, 2018}}
{{singlechart|Dutch100|3|artist=The Sandpipers|song=Guantanamera|refname=}}
New Zealand (Listener){{Cite web |url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=1386#n_view_location |title=Flavour of New Zealand, 25 November 1966 |access-date=September 19, 2019 |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403205938/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=1386#n_view_location |url-status=dead }}

| style="text-align:center;" |7

South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|title=SA Charts 1965–March 1989|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(S).html|access-date=13 September 2018}}

| align="center" |2

{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|7|artist=Sandpipers}}
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|9|artist=The Sandpipers}}
{{singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|3|artist=The Sandpipers}}
{{singlechart|West Germany|22|artist=The Sandpipers|song=Guantanamera|songid=15153|year=1966}}

Celia Cruz version

"Guantanamera" is one of the songs most commonly identified with Cuban singer Celia Cruz (1925–2003). It appears on at least 241 different records or compilations of hers,{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/search/?q=guantanamera+celia+cruz&type=all|title=Searching for "guantanamera celia cruz"on Discogs|website=DISCOGS|access-date=2019-03-19}} her earliest commercial recording of it being on the Mexican label Tico Records{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Celia-Cruz-Guantanamera/release/6162803 |title=Celia Cruz - Guantanamera |website=Discogs |year=1968 |language=en |access-date=2018-12-22}} in 1968. She mentions her special memories of singing "Guantanamera" nine times in her posthumous 2004 autobiography.{{cite web |url=https://celiacruz.com/project/celia-cruz-my-life-an-autobiography/ |title=Celia Cruz, My Life, an autobiography |date=June 24, 2017 |language=en |access-date=2018-12-22}}

= Charts =

class="wikitable"
align="left"|Chart (2010)

! style="text-align:center;"|Peak
position

align="left"|US Billboard World Digital Songs Sales{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/celia-cruz/chart-history/wdt/|title=Celia Cruz Chart History - Billboard World Digital Songs Sales|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=June 3, 2021}}

| style="text-align:center;"|2

Wyclef Jean version

{{Infobox song

| name = Guantanamera

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Wyclef Jean featuring Lauryn Hill, Celia Cruz, and Jeni Fujita

| album = Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival

| released = October 8, 1997

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Hip hop, Latin, Pop

| length = 4:30

| label = Columbia

| writer = Jerry Duplessis, Lauryn Hill, Pete Seeger, Julián Orbón, Joseíto Fernández, José Martí

| producer = Wyclef Jean

| chronology = Wyclef Jean

| prev_title = Anything Can Happen

| prev_year = 1997

| next_title = No, No, No

| next_year = 1997

}}

Wyclef Jean's version of the song is not a cover of the original, but an incorporation with additional lyrics/music.{{Cite web |title=Wyclef Jean :: The Carnival :: Ruffhouse/Columbia Records |url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_thecarnival.html |access-date=2021-03-03 |website=www.rapreviews.com}} The album version of the song featured singing by Jeni Fujita alongside Celia Cruz (who re-recorded her vocals for the song), with an additional rap verse by Lauryn Hill.{{Cite web |last=Bonita |date=2017-03-30 |title=Wyclef Jean & Lauryn Hill's Collabo From The Carnival Was 1 Of Their Last And Best (Audio) |url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2017/03/this-rare-1997-wyclef-lauryn-hill-collab-was-1-of-their-best-last-audio/ |access-date=2021-03-03 |website=Ambrosia For Heads |language=en-US}}

The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=Wyclef Jean |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/wyclef-jean/9817 |access-date=2021-03-03 |website=GRAMMY.com |language=en}} The song peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart, and peaked within the top 40 in several countries, including the United Kingdom. Former United States President Barack Obama listed the song on his 2022 summer playlist.{{Cite web |title=Barack Obama Shares 2022 Summer Playlist: Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Rosalía, and More |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/barack-obama-shares-2022-summer-playlist-kendrick-lamar-beyonce-harry-styles-rosalia-more/ |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=pitchfork.com|date=July 26, 2022 }}

= Charts =

class="wikitable sortable"
align="left"|Chart (1997)

! style="text-align:center;"|Peak
position

{{singlechart|Germany|29|artist=Wyclef Jean|song=Guantanamera|songid=3553}}
{{singlechart|Dutch40|28|artist=Wyclef Jean|song=Guantanamera|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}
{{singlechart|Dutch100|32|artist=Wyclef Jean|song=Guantanamera|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}
{{singlechart|New Zealand|15|artist=Wyclef Jean|song=Guantanamera|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}
{{singlechart|Scotland|47|date=19970921|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}
{{singlechart|Sweden|48|artist=Wyclef Jean|song=Guantanamera|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}
{{singlechart|Switzerland|19|artist=Wyclef Jean|song=Guantanamera|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|25|artist=Wyclef Jean}}
{{singlechart|UKrandb|10|date=19970921|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}
{{singlechart|Billboardrhythmic|29|artist=Wyclef Jean}}

Other recordings

The song has been recorded by multiple solo artists, including Bárbara y Dick who took the song to no. 1 in Argentina,Billboard, April 2, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1966/Billboard%201966-04-02.pdf Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, ARGENTINA, This Week 1, Last Week 3] Demis Roussos, Willy Chirino, Julio Iglesias, Joan Baez, Albita, Jimmy Buffett, Bobby Darin, Raul Malo, Joe Dassin, Muslim Magomayev, José Feliciano, Tony Mottola, Biser Kirov, Puerto Plata, Trini Lopez, La Lupe, Nana Mouskouri, Tito Puente, Raulín Rodríguez, Andy Russell, Gloria Estefan, Phil Manzanera, Robert Wyatt (under the title "Caimanera"), Zucchero Fornaciari, Julie Felix, Ansuman Roy, and by such groups as The Mavericks, Inti-Illimani, Buena Vista Social Club, Los Lobos, Pozo-Seco Singers, Todos Tus Muertos, The Spinners and the Gipsy Kings.

References

{{Reflist}}