What was Ricky Ricardo's signature song?

Ricky Ricardo’s signature song was “Babalú.” Desi Arnaz performed the number as the Cuban bandleader on “I Love Lucy,” and Ricky’s energetic renditions became one of the character’s defining comic trademarks.

“Babalú” was not created for the sitcom. Cuban songwriter Margarita Lecuona wrote the song, which was published in the United States in 1939. It was already a Latin American standard before Arnaz adopted it, and Cuban bandleader Anselmo Sacasas had arranged it for Orquesta Casino de la Playa. Arnaz had also performed it with his orchestra before “I Love Lucy” debuted.

The song’s title refers to Babalú Ayé, a deity associated with illness and healing in Santería. Its Spanish-creole lyrics invoke candles, a cigar and aguardiente, giving the performance a distinctly Afro-Cuban flavor.

Viewers sometimes confuse Ricky’s signature song with “Cuban Pete,” another famous Cuban-themed number from popular entertainment. On the show, however, the repeated musical cue most closely identified with Ricky was “Babalú.”