1. … Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three artists who recorded as The Sandpipers.
1. The Sandpipers were a U.S. pop/folk-rock group.
Founding members Jim Brady, Mike Piano, and Richard Shoff first performed together in the Mitchell Boys Choir, before deciding to go it alone as 'The Four Seasons'. It was quickly pointed out to them that a group of that name already existed in New York, and they changed their name to The Grads. Although they didn't set the charts on fire with their early recordings, they performed well enough to secure a residency in a Lake Tahoe nightclub, where a friend brought them to the attention of trumpet playing A&M Records boss, Herb Alpert. Alpert was impressed enough to give The Grads a shot, but after a couple of singles without success the group agreed upon a name change to The Sandpipers, apparently unaware that a girl trio in Florida was already using that name. After the name change, their producer, Tommy LiPuma, recommended they record the Cuban song "Guantanamera", and the group finally had their first hit.
Although sidelined by the original trio for reasons which may never become clear, Pamela Ramcier had now become an integral part of The Sandpipers' sound. Her lyricless vocals were used much like a second string section, adding what several reviewers described as an "ethereal" quality to The Sandpipers' sound.
"Guantanamera" charted in the U.S. in September 1966, and in the U.K. the following month, and remains the group's biggest hit. They had many lesser chart entries, including a 'Guantanamera-ised' cover version of Richard Berry's "Louie Louie", and songs from the films The Sterile Cuckoo and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
Having not had a hit in the previous five years, The Sandpipers finally broke up in 1975.
2. The Sandpipers was a quartet (sometimes The Golden Sandpipers) - Mike Stewart, Ralph Nyland, Dick Byron and Bob Miller - who sang a lot of material for children with Golden Records. This included recording the Mighty Mouse theme - perhaps the original (though on at least some 78 vinyl it's credited to The Terrytooners, Mitch Miller and Orchestra), but in any case likely the version that is now well known.
3. A female trio that recorded in the 1960s. They are most famous for having the Allman Joys as a backing band before their own success.
La Bamba
The Sandpipers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were drowning my darling
And I saved you
Dominating the waves with my love for you
Pero arriba y arriba y arriba ire yo no soy
Marinero por ti sere por ti sere
Por ti sere bam, bam bamba bam bam
On the sand you did write
I will always love you
Then the sand blew away
And your love did too
Pero arriba y arriba y arriba ire yo no soy
Marinero por ti sere por ti sere
Por ti sere bam, bam bamba bam bam
Oh, the crab it is said
Walks in reverse
For your true love, my darling
I'd walk on my head
Pero arriba y arriba y arriba ire yo no soy
Marinero por ti sere por ti sere
Por ti sere bam, bam bamba bam bam
Tu estabas ahogando Tu estabas ahogando
Yo te salve domimando Las olas
Domimando las olas por tu querer
pero y'arriba y'arriba per o'arriba y'arriba,
y'arriba ire yo no soy mari nero
Yo no soy Mari re porti sere
Bam, bam, bamba bam, bam
The Sandpipers' song La Bamba tells the story of a love that prevails over difficult circumstances. The first verses describe a situation in which the singer saves their beloved from drowning, through the power of their love. The metaphor of dominating the waves with love is a powerful one, suggesting the singer's ability to overcome any obstacle in their pursuit of love. The second stanza describes an instance of fleeting love, almost lost like the words written in the sand that are blown away by the wind. However, the singer remains steadfast in their love, willing to go to great lengths for their beloved.
The final stanza introduces a playful image of the singer walking on their head like a crab, for the sake of their true love. This imagery adds a whimsical tone to the song's overall message, highlighting the lengths we might be willing to go for the people we care about.
Overall, La Bamba is a song about the enduring power of love, and the willingness to go to great lengths in pursuit of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Bam, Bam Bamba, Bam, Bam
Expressing the sound of the music and setting the cheerful tone of the song
You were drowning my darling
Referring to a difficult situation the singer's loved one was in, which they were able to rescue them from
And I saved you
Confirming that the singer was able to successfully rescue their loved one
Dominating the waves with my love for you
Highlighting the power of the artist's love and how it aided them in rescuing their loved one
Pero arriba y arriba y arriba ire yo no soy Marinero
Acknowledging that the artist may not have the skills of a sailor, but they are willing to go to great lengths for their loved one
por ti sere por ti sere Por ti sere bam, bam bamba bam bam
Reiterating the singer's willingness to do anything for their loved one, expressed through the refrain of the song
On the sand you did write
Recalling a moment when the singer's loved one wrote a message of love on the sand
I will always love you
The message written by the loved one, expressing their eternal love
Then the sand blew away
Unfortunately, the message was temporary and was quickly erased by the elements
And your love did too
Drawing a parallel between the fleeting message on the sand and the artist's perception that their loved one's love for them was also impermanent
Oh, the crab it is said
Introducing a proverb or saying about crabs walking backwards
Walks in reverse
Emphasizing the unusual behavior of the crab when compared to most other animals
For your true love, my darling
Declaring the depths of the singer's love for their significant other, using the example of the crab's strange behavior as a metaphor
I'd walk on my head
Saying the singer is willing to do anything, even something as strange as walking on their head, to prove their love and devotion
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Rotana Publishing s.a.r.l., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ritchie Valens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AntonioBricioBeltran-xp1kh
I am very sorry for your loose im 73 yrs. i do remember everyones this songs was my mom and dad favorite song love bless everyones 👪
@ramarapo
Hermosa interpretación de La Bamba. Saludos desde México
@totosilaban8743
Their vocals are amazing. Great performance.
@Krose333
Thanks for posting this beautiful song. I grew up hearing this version and the Harry Belafonte version of this long before I ever heard the Richie Valens version. My parents were into the Sandpipers, Dalida, Tijuana Brass and others when I was a child.
@VILJL
The Sandpipers were an American easy listening trio who carved a niche in 1960s folk rock with their vocals and innovative arrangements of international ballads and pop standards. They were active from 1966 through 1975 and best remembered for their cover version of "Guantanamera," in 1966
@totosilaban8743
This cool evening I am listening again this beautiful song.
@alfagetti2
I have the record, the tape and the CD. I love it just as much now as I did then. Gorgeous harmony, beautiful heartfelt song.
@stephenunzueta
Muchisimas gracias
@richardopp4237
I have the album this song is on, have ALWAYS loved it!!
@rubendariovaldiviatrasvina3366
esto si es musica y no porquerias como las quse componen hoy