<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Problems playing this file? See media help . </Td> </Tr> <P> The alternating bars of 6 8 (six eighth - notes in two groups of three) with 3 4 (three quarter - notes) (similar to a bulería) is a distinctive characteristic of the song . This rhythm has been called both a hemiola and a habanera but is not really either . The two bar - types alternate and are not superposed, as in a hemiola . The alternation is comparable with the "Habanera" from "Carmen", but "America" lacks the distinctive characteristic underlying rhythm of the habanera form . </P> <P> The composer's tempo instruction is "Tempo di Huapango". </P> <P> An instrumental version, with the signature rhythm reduced to a uniform 4 4, was released in 1963 by Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass on their album Volume 2 (Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass album). </P>

West side story i want to be in america youtube