¿Qué Tal Tu Móvil?: The 10-Second Songs That Are Ringing Spain’s Mobile Phones

Kate Richardson | April 22, 2008 2:15 am

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Spanish mobile carrier Yoigo has posted a list of its most popular ringtone downloads in the Sala de Música section of its Web site, and not surprisingly, Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” is No. 1. Rihanna must have a killer European publicity team, because she has an almost God-like omnipresence on this continent. But the rest of the list is highlighted by Spanish and Latin American pop, including a Sevillan boy band and Spain’s particularly pathetic Eurovision entry.

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“Destination calabria,” Alex Gaudino ft. Crystal Waters:

A mashup of a Danish dance track and Crystal Waters’ “Destination Unknown.” Gaudino is an Italian DJ. Ringtone worthiness: 7/10.

“Cuando amanece,” Estopa:

Estopa is a “rock/rumba” group from outside of Barcelona with an apparent affinity for ’70s buddy cop movies. Ringtone worthiness: 6/10.

“Baila el chiquichiqui,” Rodolfo Chikiliquatre:

How fortunate that someone was nice enough to add subtitles to this half-assed-even-for-a-novelty-song novelty song. I haven’t been keeping up with the Eurovision entries this year, but this surely must be towards the bottom of the heap. Ringtone worthiness: 8/10, but only because it sounds like a ringtone in and of itself.

“Cobarde,” David Bustamante:

Your standard pretty-man pop song. I detect shades of Ricky Martin. Ringtone worthiness: 7/10.

“Ella y yo,” Grupo Aventura and Don Omar:

The presence of exactly one Latino/Reggaeton artist on this list pretty much reflects the attitude towards Latin American music here in Spain–it spices things up once in a while, but not too much. Ringtone worthiness: 9/10. That Latin beat is perfect for the inevitable 10-second dance party you would have every time your phone rang.

“Pa’ Madrid,” El Barrio:

According to the sort of dubious Wikipedia entry on El Barrio, they’re a “new flamenco” group, and lead singer José Luis Figuereo is a poet. Ringtone worthiness: 3/10. Too boring!

“Escúchame mujer,” Fondo Flamenco:

Now this is is a boy band: vaguely misogynistic, hangin’ out down by the river in Sevilla with your shirt open, singing some harmonies over a gauzy sax. Jonas Brothers take note. Ringtone worthiness: 9/10.

“Papeles mojados,” Chambao:

For when you want your phone to ring and advertise your social consciousness. Chambao is yet another flamenco fusion group out of Andalucia. They seem like they probably burn a lot of incense. Ringtone worthiness: 5/10.

Sala de Música [Yoigo.com]

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