La Bamba is a popular Mexican folk song best known for its upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics that interestingly enough has its origins in a tragic episode with pirates in the city of Veracruz many centuries ago.

However, it wasn't until 1958 that Mexican-American singer Ritchie Valens turned this traditional song into the massive hit that we know and love today.

Click play to learn the fascinating history of La Bamba, the first song entirely in Spanish to reach the #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 in the US!