Song Clearance Sheet
5 sources citedOye Como Va
Latin1960s124BPM
G majKey
More around 120 BPM → · More in G major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
A confirmed songwriter of record and extensive legitimate reuse — two official Santana covers decades apart that directly benefited Puente. No dispute; if anything, Cachao’s graceful choice not to pursue the borrowed intro is the opposite.
Used by independents?
No — no independent use documented so far; only major-label artists.
Quick Facts
Released1963
AlbumEl Rey Bravo
GenreLatin, Mambo
LabelTico Records
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter — Tito Puente's estate
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — famously covered by Santana (1971, Abraxas, #13 Hot 100) and again with an all-star re-recording in 2022; in NPR's 100 most important American works of the 20th century
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found, but two official Santana covers decades apart show a clear, used path — reuse that directly benefited the composer
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
1937 — the source of Oye Como Va's borrowed introduction
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Tito Puente (estate, following his 2000 death)
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A famous windfall royalty story
When Santana's cover became a hit, an aging Puente was stunned by the royalty check — initially misreading it as $35 before a bank teller corrected him: it was $35,000, enough for a down payment on a home. Corroborated across multiple sources.
JAZZIZ · read it →
A real career revival, not just a payday
Santana's cover reintroduced Puente to a wider audience, got him re-booked during a difficult stretch, and Santana covered a second Puente song, "Pa' Los Rumberos," the following year.
JAZZIZ · read it →
A touching final tip of the hat
Puente re-recorded the song for his final live album in 1999 and reportedly tipped his hat directly to Santana during what was billed as his final performance, shortly before his 2000 death.
Strachwitz Frontera Collection (UCLA) · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Santana (1970 & 2022) · widely recorded
Covers
1971
First flip
Big names who used itSantana
Who to Contact
TP
Tito Puente's estate
The songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Deep Batch 2)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass