And though Don Omar, Jennifer Lopez, and Wisin y Yandel have undoubtedly found success through the song, the interpretation of Los Kjarkas’ tune is a tale already spun many times over in fact, this particular melody, as well as this song, has been covered a multitude of times over the years.
There are even instances in which the same classic melody from an older song appears on a number of recent singles-listen to reggaeton singer Don Omar’s “Taboo,” Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor,” or “Ven a Bailar,” and reggaeton/rap duo Wisin y Yandel’s “Pan Pan.” In each song - the former two released last year and the latter two in 2006 - there is the same exact note progression in the refrain, coming from the song “Llorando Se Fue,” by Bolivian folk group Los Kjarkas. In each contemporary version, the main hook is absolutely and unerringly the same as the song that had come before it, save a few changes made in the lyrics for commercial appeal (and probably copyright infringement). Take for example some recent hits, like American singer Jason Derula’s song, “Don’t Wanna Go Home,” which, if you can’t tell from the title, takes its chorus from the Harry Belafonte classic, “Day-O.” Likewise is rapper Flo-Rida’s single, “Spin Me Right Round,” similarly extracting the title and chorus of the eighties hit “You Spin Me Round,” by Dead or Alive. Yet as I hum along, I can’t help but realise that this “latest” hit is nothing fresh nor new at all - instead, it’s a melody from another popular song that had preceded it.
It seems to be happening more and more every time I turn on the radio: the latest pop single begins to play, a passionate voice sings a catchy melody over electronic noises and beats, and my voice unashamedly joins in on what my ears are hearing.