
When I play the maracas, I go chick chicky boom is a line from the song Cuban Pete, which was performed by Desi Arnaz in the television series *I Love Lucy* and by Jim Carrey in the 1994 film *The Mask*. In the song, the singer, Cuban Pete, introduces himself as the king of the rumba beat and invites the listener to take a lesson from him, promising to teach them to chick chicky boom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Cuban Pete |
| Performer | Desi Arnaz, Jim Carrey |
| Genre | Rumba |
| Lyrics | They call me Cuban Pete, I'm the king of the rumba beat. When I play the maracas I go chick-chicky-boom, chick-chicky-boom. Yessir, I'm Cuban Pete, I'm the craze of my native street. |
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What You'll Learn

Cuban Pete
The song's lyrics introduce a character known as Cuban Pete, who is described as "the king of the rhumba beat". The song also describes him as "the craze of my native street" and "the hottest guy in Havana". In the song, Cuban Pete invites the listener to "take a lesson" from him and he will teach them to "chick chicky-boom, chick chicky-boom, chick chicky-boom".
The song also includes references to "señoritas" who "sing and they swing with this rumbero" or "lumbaro". This is "very nice, so full of spice" and when they dance, they bring "a happy ring" and sing "all day long".
In the Jim Carrey version, there is an additional verse that directly addresses a "señorita", saying: "I know that you would like to chicky-boom-chick / It's very nice, so full of spice / I'll place my hand on your hip and if you will just give me your hand / Then we shall try, just you and I".
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Rhumba beat
The phrase "when I play the maracas I go chick chicky boom" is from the song "Cuban Pete", which was performed by Desi Arnaz in the television series "I Love Lucy" and by Jim Carrey in the film "The Mask" (1994).
In the song, the singer, Cuban Pete, introduces himself as the "king of the rhumba beat". The rhumba beat is a type of Cuban dance rhythm that is characterized by its fast, upbeat tempo and strong, driving beat. The rhumba is a social dance that originated in the 1930s in Cuba and became popular in the US in the 1940s and 1950s. It is often associated with Latin and Cuban music and is known for its lively, energetic rhythm.
The rhumba is typically danced to music with a 4/4 time signature, with dancers counting "slow-quick-quick" to keep time. The basic step involves a full weight change on the slow count and a transfer of weight from one foot to the other on the quick counts, creating a smooth, flowing movement across the dance floor.
The maracas are percussion instruments that are often used to play the rhumba beat. They are hand-held rattles that produce a loud, sharp sound when shaken. The "chick chicky boom" sound in the song is likely meant to mimic the sound of the maracas being played along with the upbeat and lively rhumba rhythm.
Overall, the "Cuban Pete" song celebrates the joy and excitement of the rhumba beat and Cuban dance culture, inviting listeners to join in the fun and learn the "chick chicky boom" dance.
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Maracas
The phrase "when I play the maracas I go chick chicky boom" is from the song "Cuban Pete", a song that has been performed by Desi Arnaz and Jim Carrey. The song was featured in the 1994 film The Mask, starring Jim Carrey.
In the song, Cuban Pete introduces himself as "the king of the rumba beat". He goes on to say that when he plays the maracas, he goes "chick chicky boom, chick chicky boom". This is followed by an affirmation of his Cuban identity and a description of the effect his dancing has on his audience: "I'm the craze of my native street/When I start to dance everything goes chick chicky boom, chick chicky boom".
The song then describes the response of the "señoritas", who sing and dance with Cuban Pete, creating a joyful atmosphere: "They sing and they swing with this rumbero/It's very nice, so full of spice/And when they dance, they bring a happy ring, they're a care-o, singing a song all day long".
Cuban Pete then addresses the listener directly, inviting them to learn the "chick chicky boom": "So if you like the beat, take a lesson from Cuban Pete/And I'll teach you to chick chicky boom, chick chicky boom, chick chicky boom". He assures the listener that they will enjoy this dance, which he describes as a dance of Latin romance.
The "chick chicky boom" phrase and rhythm, accompanied by the maracas, create a catchy and memorable hook for the song, contributing to its popularity and potential for audience participation.
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Señoritas
The song "Cuban Pete" features the lyrics "when I play the maracas I go chick-chicky-boom, chick-chicky-boom". The song has been performed by Desi Arnaz and Jim Carrey. In the song, Cuban Pete describes himself as the "king of the rumba beat" and the "craze of my native street".
The song goes on to describe the effect that Cuban Pete has on the señoritas:
> The señoritas, they sing, and how they swing with this rumbero
> It's very nice, so full of spice
> And when they're dancin', they bring a happy ring the maraquero
> Singin' a song, all the day long
The singer goes on to address a señorita directly, promising to teach her to "chick-chicky-boom":
> Si, señorita, I know, that you will like the chicky-boom-chick
> 'Cause it's a dance of Latin romance
> And Cuban Pete doesn't teach you in a hurry like Arthur Murray
> You're now in Havana and there's always manyana
> So, señorita, please, take it easy, do it with ease!
> And you'll love it when you do The chick chick chicky-boom, chick chicky-boom
> And I'll teach you to Chick chicky boom, chick chicky-boom, chick chicky-boom
In this song, the term "señorita" is used to refer to a female person, specifically one who is singing and dancing with Cuban Pete. The singer describes the señoritas as bringing "a happy ring" and "singing all the day long". The singer also expresses confidence that a señorita will enjoy the "chicky-boom-chick", a dance of "Latin romance".
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Dance
The phrase "when I play the maracas I go chick chicky boom" is from the song "Cuban Pete", which was popularised by Desi Arnaz and later by Jim Carrey in the 1994 film The Mask. The song is about a character named Cuban Pete, who is described as the "king of the rumba beat" and the "craze of his native street". The lyrics suggest that when Cuban Pete plays the maracas and dances, he brings joy and excitement to the people around him, with everyone singing and swinging along to the rhythm.
The dance that accompanies the song "Cuban Pete" is likely to be a lively and energetic one, reflecting the upbeat and playful nature of the lyrics and the rhythm of the rumba beat. The dance would probably involve a lot of hip movement and hand gestures, as suggested by the lyrics "I'll place my hand on your hip". The dance steps would be rhythmic and bouncy, with quick turns and spins, reflecting the fun and playful atmosphere created by the music.
The dance could incorporate some traditional Cuban dance moves such as the Rumba, which is known for its slow, sensual hip movements and intricate footwork. The Cha-Cha-Cha, which is a derivative of the Rumba, could also be included, with its distinctive three-step rhythm and playful, flirty character. The dance could also draw from the Mambo, a Cuban dance known for its fast pace and intricate turns and spins, adding to the dynamic and lively atmosphere.
The "chick chicky boom" phrase from the song can be incorporated into the dance as a signature move or a highlight moment. For example, the dancers could create a formation where they stand in a line or a circle and perform a synchronised sequence of claps, stomps, and maraca shakes, emphasising the "chick chicky boom" rhythm. This section could be repeated throughout the dance, becoming a catchy and memorable moment for the audience.
Overall, the dance for "Cuban Pete" would be a fun and vibrant performance, reflecting the song's playful and joyous spirit. It would incorporate elements of traditional Cuban dances, with a focus on rhythmic hip movements, hand gestures, and dynamic turns and spins. The "chick chicky boom" phrase would be a highlight, creating a lasting impression and inviting the audience to join in on the fun and excitement.
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Frequently asked questions
"Cuban Pete"
The song was written by Desi Arnaz and performed by him in the television series "I Love Lucy". It was later performed by Jim Carrey in the 1994 film "The Mask".
The lyrics vary slightly depending on the version, but they generally include: "They call me Cuban Pete, I'm the king of the rumba beat/When I play the maracas I go chick chicky boom, chick chicky boom/Yessir, I'm Cuban Pete, I'm the craze of my native street/When I start to dance everything goes chick chicky boom, chick chicky boom/The senoritas, they sing, and how they swing with this rumbero/It's very nice, so full of spice/And when they're dancing they bring a happy ring, they're a care-o, singing a song all day long/So if you like the beat, take a lesson from Cuban Pete/And I'll teach you to chick chicky boom, chick chicky boom, chick chicky boom".
The lyric is part of the introduction of the song, where Cuban Pete describes himself as the "king of the rumba beat" and showcases his skill with the maracas.
Yes, the song mentions a dance: "I'll teach you to chick chicky boom". The dance is described as "a dance of Latin romance".











































