If you have been to any Carnival worth its name in the world, you’d know how music plays a key role in making these events a success. Here in this short article, we will tell you about some of the most well-known carnival songs that are played at the best international carnivals across the world. So, regardless of whether you’re going to Latin America this spring or not, ensure that your hear these songs and keep the Carnival mood alive.
‘Quero Morrer No Carnaval’ by Elza Soares
Elze Soares, widely recognised as one of the Rio Carnival’s Queens, she is counted amongst the best interpreters of Brazil’s samba music. Having strong affiliation with the Brazilian samba group Mocidade bloco, Elza Soares rose up from being a no one, and made a big name for herself in the music world. Her Song ‘Quero Morrer No Carnaval’ belongs to her 1969 album titled ‘Carnaval & Samba’, which consists of some of the greatest samba tunes.
‘Rumba En Carnaval’ by Anibal Velasquez
Well-known for his hit number ‘Mambo Loco’, Anibal Velasques is someone who you will hear pretty regularly if you are going to attend Barranquilla Carnival. Being a true Barranquilla native, you will hear many catchy accordion rhythms in his songs played out at the Carnival. This one is one of the many numbers that he has composed on the Barranquilla carnival.
‘Atras do Trio Eletrico’ by Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso composed this song as a tribute to Trio Eletrico, in his 1977 album titled Muitos Carnivais. The song name Trio Eletrico is a type of music that’s played all across the world; it features musicians and a singer playing live to an audience, atop a truck, with a big sound system for sound amplification. This type of music originated from Bahia in 1950, with Osmar Macedo and Dodo, popular Brazilian musicians playing atop an old T Model Ford. The term ‘Trio Eletrico’ came into being after they invited their friend to perform alongside them in the year 1951.
‘Cai Creo Que Cai’ by Jorge Drexler
Drifting a little away from Latin America, the song ‘Cai Creo Que Cai’ is a work of Uruguayan musician Jorge Drexler. He composed the song for the 2013 edition of Cadiz Carnival in Spain. Although it seems slightly influenced by candombe rhythm, which is regularly heard at the famous Montevideo carnival, you will hear plenty of Spanish influence in this specific number. If not for anything, you can simply hear it to understand how the music played at Spanish carnivals differs from the kind heard at carnivals of other countries.
‘El Carnaval’ (featuring Nelson Pinedo) by Sonora Matancera
Returning back to Colombia, not necessarily Barranquilla, Sonora Matancera is a Cuban music band which started out during the 1920s, but became famous only in the 50s. Although it isn’t a major hit, their number ‘El Carnaval’ recorded with Nelson Pinedo, for their album titled Sonora Matancera En Colombia (released in 1955) offered an excellent mix of Cuban and Colombian influences.