About the song
Guantanamera is a popular Cuban song that has been covered by many artists, including the American vocal group The Sandpipers. The song is based on a poem by José Martí, a Cuban poet and independence hero, and an arrangement by Pete Seeger, an American folk singer and activist. The Sandpipers’ version of Guantanamera was released in 1966 as the title track of their debut album and became an international hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart . The song is considered a patriotic anthem in Cuba and a symbol of Cuban culture around the world .
The Sandpipers were an easy listening trio that consisted of Jim Brady, Mike Piano and Richard Shoff. They were discovered by Herb Alpert and signed to his label A&M Records in 1966. They specialized in soft, harmonious renditions of pop songs, folk tunes and Latin music. They recorded 12 albums and had several hits, such as Come Saturday Morning, Louie Louie and Misty Roses. They disbanded in 1975 .
Guantanamera is one of the most recognizable songs in the Spanish language and has been recorded by hundreds of artists, such as Joan Baez, Celia Cruz, Julio Iglesias, José Feliciano, Wyclef Jean and Pitbull. The song has also been adapted into different languages and genres, such as rock, jazz, reggae, rap and salsa. The song is often sung at sports events, political rallies and cultural festivals .