Havana Cuba's Orquesta Casino de la Playa was first to put "Babalu" (Margarita Lecuona) on vinyl in 1939. This is the Summer Casino Orchestra in Mariano Beach, Cuba with Miquelito Valdes as vocalist. The song is an ode to Santeria goddess "Babalu Aye". Wikipedia: "In Hanna-Barbera's "Quick Draw McGraw", The title character's Mexican burro sidekick, who was based on Desi Arnaz, was named Baba Looey in a nod to the song".

Desi Arnaz took "Bablu" into the American culture through the classic television show "I Love Lucy". This was his character Ricky Ricardo's signature song. Desi and his orchestra recorded "Bablu" successfully in 1946.