Why yes, I am referring to that old song made famous by Gloria Estefan in the 90s. I used to love it way back in the day, especially trying to sing along with the crazy fast syllable-full verses.
While I was brainstorming new instrument songs last week, this one just popped into my head and refused to leave. But it turned out to be a good thing, because I ended up tailoring the lyrics just enough to make it the perfect rhythm sticks song.
I predicted that when I played it with my Church Mice on Sunday, the parents would get a kick out of it…and I was right. Most of them knew the song and were singing along with me right away.
Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up so loud!
Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up so loud!
Turn the beat around,
Love to hear the percussion.
Turn it upside down,
Love to hear the percussion.
Love to hear it.
Oh, you sure sound pretty,
Your rhythm keeps movin’ to the nitty gritty
When you hear the tap of the wood a-tappin’
Then you’ll know that rhythm carries all the action,
Woah, yeah!
Turn the beat around,
Love to hear the percussion.
Turn it upside down,
Love to hear the percussion.
Love to hear it.
Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up so loud!
Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up so loud!
Turn it down, turn it down, turn it down so soft…
Turn it down, turn it down, turn it down so soft…
Turn the beat around!
I had a lot of fun with this recording, in case you can’t tell by listening to it. I’m thinking about tweaking the lyrics to make it a drumming activity for my students. And that’s the best thing about this song — it could be used with or without any instrument, not just rhythm sticks. Even keeping the original lyrics would work, because they’re all about music.
How would you use it? Or maybe you wouldn’t at all. It didn’t cross my mind as a good song for kids until just recently, but I’m sure glad it did! Except for the part where it is permanently stuck in my head, that is ;)
I’ve used the original version of this song before with my middle and high school groups with drums and sometimes, depending on the group, with scarves for those who want to dance. Never thought about rewriting the lyrics or using rhythm sticks. What a great idea!
Plus, I have a group that is really into rhythm sticks this year and I’ve been scrambling to come up with some new ideas for them! Thanks for the inspiration. :)
I like the idea of using scarves with this song! And you’re welcome…glad I could help!
Are you doing this in the key as written, using F#m, em and D chords? I haven’t messed around with it long enough yet, but can’t seem to get the sound right. Great idea, anyway!
Actually, I play Em, D, and C. Try that and see how it sounds :)
Hi Rachel, Fun! I’m going to figure out a way to incorporate this one into my Orff Play program. I can see why you couldn’t get it out of your head.
Off topic but…after commenting to you about not having snow here…or rarely having snow…WE HAVE SNOW! Schools are closed and my classes have been cancelled. It’s beautiful:)
Hi Susan! Thank you. I would love to hear how you end up incorporating this song. And I literally just read your blog post about the snow…beautiful! Enjoy it while it lasts and be safe!
Super fun, great idea. I’ll be using it this week.