# Instrumentals Or Foreign Language Songs Topping The Charts **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 2, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459 "2012-09-02T17:46:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/1 "2012-09-02T17:46:45Z")
I happened to hear the Frerrante and Teicher version of the [theme song for the movie Exodus](http://www.ferranteandteicher.com/videos.html) and at the time, it was an instrumental that reached number 2 on the Billboard charts. And there was the song [Sukiyaki](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvuO0BsEEss) - a number one, foreign language (Japanese) hit on the USA charts. You would think with access to the Internet, there would be more break-out hits today that are instrumentals or sung in foreign languages. I haven’t heard any big instrumental/foreign language chart hitting songs in ages. Have I missed them? Or are they non-existent? Also, feel free to mention/post links to some of your old favorites - but would be most interested in any new instrumentals/foreign language songs that perhaps came close to becoming big hits here in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/2 "2012-09-02T18:04:28Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > You would think with access to the Internet, there would be more break-out hits today that are instrumentals or sung in foreign languages. That would only be the case if Americans were interested in foreign language pop songs but had limited exposure to them. I don’t think that’s the case. I think most people have a strong preference for pop music with lyrics in their native language, or at least in a language that they understand. In the US that’s mostly going to be English. > [@](#): > > I haven’t heard any big instrumental/foreign language chart hitting songs in ages. Have I missed them? Or are they non-existent? Off the top of my head I can’t think of anything more recent than “Macarena”, which was more than 15 years ago. […] I just spent a little time on Wikipedia looking up some Latin pop singers that have been popular in the US and it looks like both Ricky Martin and Shakira have had songs in Spanish that were modest hits in the US, although it doesn’t look like either ever made it into the top 10, or even the top 20, with a non-English song. Shakira’s “[La Tortura](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Tortura)” (a song I’m totally unfamiliar with, but I’m not that hip) made it to #23 on the Billboard Top 100 in 2005. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/3 "2012-09-02T18:16:02Z")
None recently that I can think of, but in the 80’s the themes from Miami Vice (#1) & Hill Street Blues (#10) made the charts. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/4 "2012-09-02T19:31:57Z")
_Theme from Hawaii 5-0_ The Ventures _Pipeline_ the Chantays \*Love’s Theme \* Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestra _Music Box Dancer_ Frank Mills _Jessica_ Allman Brothers And while they were not entirely without lyrics (one word each) _Wipeout_ The Surfaris _Tequila_ The Champs _Dominque_ The Singing Nun I don’t listen to much of mainstream radio. I don’t know if anything by Enigma has hit the top of the charts, but they are a mix of English, Latin, Italian, French and Hindi. I don’t know if _Ali Doro_ by Zucchero (with John Lee Hooker) made it to the top. There is an English version and an Italian Version. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/5 "2012-09-02T19:36:50Z")
What pops into my mind is Miserlou (or Misirlou, depending who sings it), which was first a surf hit in the early 60s by Dick Dale, but resurfaced with the movie Pulp Fiction and the cover by the Black Eyed Peas (who added a vocal track). ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/6 "2012-09-02T20:12:31Z")
Americans are becoming far more culturally isolated. [Look](http://www.filmfestivaltoday.com/breaking/new-york-foreign-language-films-in-the-us-market) at foreign language films: “According to Toby Miller in the 1960s imported films accounted for 10% of the US box office, in 1986 we had 7% and now less than 1%.” While music and film undergo different market forces, the main commonality seems to be phobic-level views toward foreign language materials and the perception of these being “niche” products. E.g., the decline of art house cinemas and the rise of multiplex theaters is said to hurt foreign language films. But that’s only if you think that’s where those films should play. Ditto with foreign language music. If you don’t think they belong on the leading stations in a market, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. _La Bamba_ would never hit it big if it debuted now. After all, there’s Spanish-language stations for “those” songs now. Riiight. Despite the Internet, overwhelmingly the music market is controlled by the major labels and they decide what most people listen to. They focus on acts that can sell millions of songs, the rest just bring in chump change. Note that even moderately successful groups have to tour to make money and promote their music. It’s not really possibly for a foreign language artist to have a major tour and reliably make money. E.g., K-pop singer Rain’s American tours have been troubled at times. Some cancellations, lawsuits, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/7 "2012-09-02T21:52:34Z")
According to [Billboard.com](http://Billboard.com), Nena’s 99 Luftballoons peaked at number 2 on the Hot 100. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/8 "2012-09-02T22:33:59Z")
“Eres Tu” in 1973/74 - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eres\_T%C3%BA\_(Mocedades\_song)#Worldwide\_success](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eres_T%C3%BA_(Mocedades_song)#Worldwide_success) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/9 "2012-09-02T22:49:31Z")
Some oldies: _Guantanamera_, The Sandpipers, which was a mixed English/Spanish language song that reached #9. _The Pink Panther Theme_, Henry Mancini, reached the top ten. _Peter Gunn Theme_, also by Mancini, won two Grammys. _Classical Gas_, Mason Williams, hit the top ten ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/10 "2012-09-02T22:56:46Z")
The (instrumental) theme from _The Summer of '42_ was pretty popular, I don’t know if it charted though. As for foreign language, Carlos Santana did well with _Oye Como Va_. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/11 "2012-09-02T23:16:43Z")
Don’t forget _Volare_ (I have no idea how it charted. I just wanted to give everyone an earworm.) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/12 "2012-09-02T23:22:30Z")
_Vaya con Dios_ was also popular, thanks to the Frito Bandito. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/13 "2012-09-02T23:50:20Z")
I thought that was [Cielito Lindo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObDWtMQ93ws&feature=youtube_gdata_player) Noted above, _Guantanamera,_ taken from the Cuban Revolution, and _El Condor Pasa_, taken from striking Peruvian miners by Simon & Garfunkle. Thanks Commies! One case that was mentioned in a recent thread was the _Rum and Coke-a-cola_ song, that Morey Amsterdam thought he’d heard as a folk song while on vacation, only to be sued for copyright violation. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/14 "2012-09-04T04:03:54Z")
Leroy Anderson’s [Blue Tango](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZd_tm6Jb-s). According to various sources, it was the first instrumental to go to #1 and/or go gold. > **[Blue Tango](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Tango)** > > "Blue Tango" is an instrumental composition by Leroy Anderson, written for orchestra in 1951 and published in 1952. It was later turned into a popular song with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. Numerous artists have since covered "Blue Tango". > An instrumental version of "Blue Tango" recorded by Anderson (Decca Records, catalog number 27875, with the flip side "Belle of the Ball") reached number one on the Billboard chart in 1952. (According to other sources, the Anderson recording first reached the ch... > [@](#): > > An instrumental version of “Blue Tango” recorded by Anderson (Decca Records, catalog number 27875, with the flip side “Belle of the Ball”[1]) reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1952. It first reached the Best Seller chart on December 21, 1951 and lasted 38 weeks on the chart.[2] ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/15 "2012-09-04T04:13:59Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > Leroy Anderson’s [Blue Tango](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZd_tm6Jb-s). According to various sources, it was the first instrumental to go to #1 and/or go gold. > > [Blue Tango - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Tango) This can’t be. There were tons of huge instrumental hits from the Big Band era. For instance, Glenn Miller’s _In the Mood_ and Benny Goodman’s _Sing, Sing, Sing_ (which despite the title had no lyrics). Is it possible there were no charts in the 30s and 40s? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/16 "2012-09-04T04:23:38Z")
[I found this list of 100 most popular instrumentals](http://www.squidoo.com/alltimetop100instrumentalsongs), as determined by its highest chart ranking, and how long it stayed on the charts. _Blue Tango_ is on the list, but lots of the other songs pre-date it. The author’s reference material covers 1940-87, so isn’t helpful for finding any more recent hits. ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/17 "2012-09-04T06:29:03Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Don’t forget _Volare_ > > (I have no idea how it charted. I just wanted to give everyone an earworm.) Actually the title is “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” when originally released in 1958 and sung by Domenico Modugno in Italian. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by Franco Migliacci and Domenico Modugno and later recorded by many artists under the name “Volare” [To Fly]. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/18 "2012-09-04T06:35:36Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > _La Bamba_ would never hit it big if it debuted now. After all, there’s Spanish-language stations for “those” songs now. Riiight. Well, it wasn’t a #1 hit in its first release. It only reached #1 in 1987 with the release of that Ritchie Valens biopic starring Lou Diamond Phillips, with Los Lobos covering the song. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/19 "2012-09-04T06:54:57Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Don’t forget _Volare_ > > (I have no idea how it charted. I just wanted to give everyone an earworm.) Gah! Just for that, you’ve been sentenced to 24 hours with Jose Feliciano’s _Feliz Navidad_. So there. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459/20 "2012-09-04T16:15:24Z")
**Take Five** , Dave Brubeck Quartet, reached #25 on the Hot 100, #5 on Easy Listening. **I Got a Woman** , Jimmy McGriff (on the B3) hit #20 in 1962. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrumentals-or-foreign-language-songs-topping-the-charts/633459.md?page=2)