Cha Cha Songs at Amazon Mp3

From time honored Latin beats to the more modern and cool songs you hear on today's radio, cha cha is a traditional sound that's influenced music the world over. With it's fun tempo and unique sound, cha cha was created to be danced to – literally! Characterized by the flirtatious, sexy mood the music often creates, the cha cha is a perennial favorite for every generation. Considered a favorite of many dancers, the music allows the listeners freedom to speed things up or slow things down based on their mood. This is what makes it the ultimate music to dance to – it's completely versatile!

The cha cha, sometimes referred to as the cha cha cha, first rose to popularity in the 1940s. Cuban charanga bands were comprised of piano, bass, violins, flute and percussion. This combination of instruments reflected the charanga's association with high society, and with other genres like the Cuban danzon.

In the 1940s, Havana, Cuba was a popular resort location for many vacationing Americans. Many tourists were inspired by the beat, and when cha cha music made its way north, it was only natural that the Americans would love the tunes at home, too.

The cha cha appealed to a mass audience because of it's relaxed and clearly defined beat. The charangas became popular to a very wide audience, and their music was ultimately picked up by Latin big bands. In the 1950s, the cha cha made its way to the United States and became a huge dance craze. Adding the use of a cowbell for the beat, the music became more accessible to American music lovers.

A composer and violinist named Enrique Joren is believed to have created the first official cha cha in the early 1940s. He wanted music to be created specifically for dance and crowd participation, not just for listening. Enrique combined two Cuban rhythms: the danzon and the montuno. He created music with a medium rhythm – something recognizable and not too frenetic. Music to be played passionately, and without any seriousness, the staccato allowed dancers to up their “naughtiness” factor. Enrique called the music the cha cha, because of the shuffling sounds coming from people's feet as they danced.

Cha cha is always in 4/4 tempo, making it slower than your average salsa song. Happy and party-like it nature, it typically has between 110 and 130 beats per minute. Cha cha is not limited to simply authentic Cuban music, but can be found in virtually all music genres – including hip hop, funk and country!

Popular American pop musicians have also used cha cha influences in their music. “Let's Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez, “Sex Bomb” by Tom Jones, and “Smooth” by Santana are all popular cha cha radio hits. “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet and “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys prove that the cha cha sound really lends itself to the tropical feel many music lovers appreciate.

Cha cha music can also be heard in many R&B and rock and roll hits, including a song by the Kingsmen from 1963. Written by Richard Berry, an African American man from Los Angeles, “Louie Louie” borrowed its signature riff from an earlier tune “El Loco” by Cuban musician Rene Touzet. The evolution of cha cha music makes it an integral part of American pop music throughout history.

With it's catchy, lively and happy sound, it's not surprising that cha cha music has remained so popular through the years. From big band to country western, cha cha music's Cuban influences can be heard in virtually all genres in the world today. Cha cha's contagious rhythm will entice even the most novice of dancers to get their groove on. Flirtatious, fast, and sassy, cha cha music provides dancers with the frenetic energy to get them moving.

Works Cited

"Cha Cha Cha | American Sabor." American Sabor Home Page | American Sabor. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. .

"Cha Cha Music." Salsa Swing Ball Room. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. .

"La Luna Dance Studio." La Luna Dance Studio. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. .

Orovio, Helio. Cuban music from A to Z. London: Duke University Press, 2004. Print.