Ritchie Valens Picture
The professional career of Ritchie Valens lasted a period of eight months, during which time he recorded some very influential songs of the 1950s rock and roll era. Richard Steven Valenzuela was born in Pacoima, a suburb of Los Angeles, on May 13, 1941. Brought up hearing traditional Mexican mariachi music, as well as flamenco guitar, R&B and jump blues, by the age of 5 he expressed an interest in making music of his own. He was encouraged by his father to take up guitar and trumpet, and it is also known that he later taught himself the drums. One day, a neighbour came across Ritchie trying to play a guitar that had only two strings.
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La Bamba Lyrics

Ritchie Valens

La Bamba Trk 7 2:06 Disc 1
Ritchie Valens
Trad (arr. Valens)
DELFI Single # 4110 Side A Nov 1958 (pop chart #22 Dec 29, 1958+)
Recorded: Sept 23, 1958, Gold Star Studios, Hollywood, CA
Sessions by Bob Keane and Rene Hall
Richie - vocal & guitar, Carole Kaye - rhythm guitar, Buddy Clark - standup bass
Ernie Freeman - piano, Earl Palmer - drums & woodblock, Rene Hall - Danelectro
Transcriber: Awcantor@aol.com & Angel Reyes.

Para bailar, La Bamba
Para bailar, La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba
Ay, arriba arriba
Por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere

Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan
Soy capitan, soy capitan
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bam

Para bailar, La Bamba
Para bailar, La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba

(guitar solo - Richie & instrumental)

Para bailar, La Bamba
Para bailar, La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba
Ay, arriba arriba
Por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere

Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
FADES-
Bamba, bamba.

~
English translation:

Dance the La Bamba
Dance the La Bamba
It's necessary to have a little grace (style)
A little grace for me and you

Up! Up!
Up! Up! for we are
For we are
For we are

I am not a sailor
I am not a sailor, I am a captain
I am a captain
I am a captain.

(repeats)

~