So what happens when two black cats cross each other’s paths?
Are you suffering from another blue Monday? Well, The Nest has just the music to put you back into the pink. It’s some more of my all time favorite music, compiled together in this feature I’m calling the Top 30 Songs We Just Feel Like Playing! Speaking of colors, it’s time to break out the tie dye, because we’re flashing back to the swinging 60’s today for a totally groovy hit from a group that came across the ocean. And no, not from the country you might expect…
#14. “Black Is Black” – Los Bravos
When you think of music from Europe that invaded America from the days when The Lads first stepped off that plane and into Ed Sullivan’s studio, you generally think of the British Isles first. There were also some pretty good acts that hit it big in America from Germany, Scandinavia, the Low Countries, and France. But what about the country that got the whole invasion of the New World started in the first place?
Not you guys. Nobody even remembers you were ever here…
When you think of Spanish music, you probably think south of the border. But has the mother country ever had an artist hit it big on the American charts? Yes! And it did so in most excellent fashion back in 1966. The quintet was the Madrid based Los Bravos, and their best known song hit #4 and made them the first Spanish artists to have a song chart that high in the US. That tune is this three minutes of goodness called “Black is Black”…
While there are many things I love about this song, one of its coolest features is that extended musical intro… where the instruments come in one by one before all combining to create “Black’s” epic melody! Not all music from fifty years ago has stood the test of time, but this one definitely did! And if only the radio played oldie moldies like this anymore…
Ma! Come check out this oldies station! They’re playing Britney Spears!
Sigh.
Come back next Monday for lucky song #13 in my countdown! Well, lucky for me. Your tastes may differ……
Evil Squirrel's Nest 
I liked it… as far as I know this one and Idon’tcare? were the only songs who became well known… I wonder what apart of this two songs will they play when they have a whole gig? (the are somewehre on a festival this summer I think)
Wow, I didn’t think they’d still be together!
Oh yes I sure do remember this one and it is indeed a 60s classic. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know they were from Madrid….duh.
Pam
Neither did I before I looked this up. I thought they were of Mexican descent…
Excellent, I remember this well!
I always liked this song, and still have my 45 of it. 🙂
Cool!
You’ve provided me with an ear worm this morning. Gee. Thanks! 😉
I do try plant that seed….
This choice earns the T-Bone Seal of Approval (which is obviously a big deal since it’s capitalized).
A big deal, yes… but it would be an Even Bigger Deal if it had a registered trademark symbol.
Wow. I had no idea they were from Spain. But hey, it’s great song and now the official song of black cats everywhere. Good choice.
I didn’t know they were from Spain until I wrote the post yesterday. Even I learn things from my posts. This is a much better song for black cats than that one by Janey Jackson…
I remember how shocked I was when they started playing Muzak starring the Beatles and Stones. I think that was the first time I felt old.
I work in a place that thinks modern music is muzak. The local oldies stations has completely creeped into the 90’s now, where Nirvana gets played back to back with the Beatles… ugh!
I never heard of this song or the group but it’s a great song, and group! Thanks Evil for introducing me to some new tunes.
My pleasure.
I remember the song but didn’t know the group was Spanish. That seems cool to me, a piece of trivia to file away for… some reason yet to be revealed to me.
I can’t think of any other acts that came from Spain proper. You can win a lot of bets with people who probably can’t name a single Spanish band…
For the first time in ages, this video is not available in my country. I currently have Alexa playing it. Bear with me…
… and I’m back. Yes, very cool. I could listen to that for sure. I like a lot of music from that era.
It’s a good thing Alexa isn’t subjected to silly international copyright laws. Or maybe she is, but she’s rebellious like that…
I do remember that tune (egad looks I’m dating myself again). Groovy tune for sure! The kind you sing-along at the top of your voice while dogs howl. LOL