Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
La Bamba
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
una poca de gracia y otra cosita
y arriba y arriba
y arriba y arriba y arriba ire
yo no soy marinero
yo no soy marinero, por ti sere,
por ti sere, por ti sere.
bamba, bamba
bamba.
para bailar la bamba
para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
una poca de gracia pa mi pa ti
ay y arriba y arriba
y arriba y arriba y arriba ire
yo no soy marinero
yo no soy marinero, soy capitan,
soy capitan, soy capitan.
bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba
bamba, bamba
bamba.
The lyrics to Bobby Darin's La Bamba are a call to dance to the lively rhythms of the traditional Mexican song. The song's repeated refrain of "para bailar la bamba" is an invitation to join in the fun, and the following lines offer simple instructions on how to move to the beat. "Se necesita una poca de gracia" means "you need a little bit of grace," implying a lightness and fluidity of movement, and "otra cosita" refers to another little something that might add to the dance's charm.
The verses go on to declare that the singer is not a sailor but will become one for the sake of his love, and then that he is not a sailor but a captain. These lines are a nod to the song's origins as a sea shanty, but they are also playful and slightly absurd, emphasizing the joyous spirit of the dance. Throughout the lyrics, the repetition of the word "arriba" creates a sense of upward momentum and celebratory energy.
Line by Line Meaning
para bailar la bamba
To dance La Bamba
para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
To dance La Bamba, one needs a little bit of grace
una poca de gracia y otra cosita
A little bit of grace and another thing
y arriba y arriba y arriba
And up and up and up
y arriba y arriba y arriba ire
And up and up and up I'll go
yo no soy marinero
I'm not a sailor
yo no soy marinero, por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere.
But for you, I'll be, I'll be, I'll be.
bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba
bamba, bamba, bamba.
Bamba, bamba, bamba
para bailar la bamba
To dance La Bamba
para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
To dance La Bamba, one needs a little bit of grace
una poca de gracia pa mi pa ti
A little bit of grace for me and for you
ay y arriba y arriba y arriba
Oh, and up and up and up
y arriba y arriba y arriba ire
And up and up and up I'll go
yo no soy marinero
I'm not a sailor
yo no soy marinero, soy capitan, soy capitan, soy capitan.
But I'm a captain for you, I'm a captain, I'm a captain.
bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba
bamba, bamba, bamba.
Bamba, bamba, bamba
Writer(s): TRADITIONAL
Contributed by Alyssa H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@timetowakeup6302
Bobby was not afraid to do anything in the entertainment business. Remarkable talent
@rockyruane9379
That's not a good thing
@user-eo9ie7zn9p
Ritchie Valens knew BD.
@thedude_-__-_7528
In his case it was @@rockyruane9379
@briocheswag6781
I've never heard this version but it's quickly becoming my favorite. It has that perfect Latin flair.
@davidadams1795
Its from the album"Earthy". A collection of mostly obscure folk tunes. It never troubled the charts,but it's one of his finest albums.
@briocheswag6781
I can certainly see that! I greatly enjoy it!@@davidadams1795
@sorayabellydance80
💃🥳🥳😍🎶