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Latin musicians have had a major impact on popular music for years, especially in the United States. If you’re a fan of music, then perhaps you’ll love learning Spanish through songs! Listening to music in Spanish is a great way to pick up more vocabulary. To get you started, we’ve collected 25 of the best songs from all over the Spanish-speaking world, from certified classics to chart-topping hits.
For a list of music that focuses on the contemporary and covers several cultures, check out our list of the year’s best foreign language songs.
The best Spanish-language songs
Our list of Spanish songs have a wide range to cover most music interests. You’ll find some of the best Spanish love songs, classic Spanish songs, and Spanish songs to dance to, and some that might bring back your favorite memories.
1. La Bamba by Ritchie Valens
Originally a Mexican folk song, musician Ritchie Valens adapted La Bamba to a rock and roll sound in 1958 and had an instant hit on his hands. The song has such staying power that rock outfit Los Lobos recorded a cover of it nearly 30 years after Valens’ version released and topped the charts all over again.
2. Bésame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez
The romantic Bésame Mucho (“Kiss Me A Lot”), written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez, would go on to become the most covered Spanish-language song in history. The video above is the first known interpretation of the song by Emilio Tuero, but there are plenty of versions to choose from, including a rendition with English lyrics by The Beatles.
3. A Dios le Pido by Juanes
Crossing both pop and rock genres, A Dios le Pido (“I Ask God”) has distinct religious lyrics asking God to protect people from bloodshed. While the technicality of the music might not be the best, the melody and lyrics caught on and solidified this song as Juanes’ top hit.
4. Con Los Años Que Me Quedan by Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan released the wistful ballad Con Los Años Que Me Quedan (“With the Years That I Have Left”) after she had already become a star in the English-speaking world with her mega-hit song Conga. The melancholy lyrics describe a person devoting themselves to a relationship to make up for a past betrayal.
5. Oye Cómo Va by Santana
While Oye Cómo Va (“Listen To How”) was originally composed in 1962 by legendary Puerto Rican bandleader and timbales player Tito Puente, it really took off when it was covered by rock band Santana. This version combines Latin percussion with bluesy guitar licks to create a driving song perfect for the 1970s.
6. Ahora Quien by Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is certainly a household name in Latin music, and this salsa version of his major hit called Ahora Quien (“Now Who”) became an iconic breakup song for millions of listeners. The repeated phrase ahora quien emphasizes the feeling we all have after a breakup, wondering who could possibly fill the void left behind. The mix of passion, sorrow, and melody make it a song to remember.
7. Amor Prohibido by Selena
Amor Prohibido (“Forbidden Love”) is a Tejano song, fusing Mexican and Texan influences. The album it was featured on—also called Amor Prohibido— was a huge moment for Tejano music, and the album’s success led to Tejano becoming one of the most popular Latin music genres.
8. Bailando by Enrique Iglesias, feat. Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona
Spanish artist Enrique Iglesias is no stranger to success, holding the records for most number one songs by a male artist on the Billboard Hot Latin chart and the Billboard Dance charts. Bailando (“I Am Dancing”) continued that record by being a massive international hit, charting in over 50 countries and sweeping Latin music awards.
9. Cielito Lindo by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés
You may not recognize this popular Mexican folk song at first, but it’ll definitely ring a bell when it gets to its chorus that begins with “Ay, ay, ay, ay.” Cielito Lindo (“Lovely Sweet One”) has been covered by artists spanning the world, and is firmly associated with Mexican culture.
10. La Copa de la Vida by Ricky Martin
Created for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, La Copa de la Vida (“The Cup of Life”) became a worldwide smash hit and topped the charts in more than 30 countries. Its popularity, along with other hits such as Livin’ la Vida Loca (“Livin’ the Crazy Life”), have earned Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin the title “The King of Latin Pop.”
11. Ojos Así by Shakira
Before Shakira crossed over to the English-language pop scene, her songs were entirely in Spanish. Ojos Así (“Eyes Like This”) is Shakira at her most electric, and its pumping Middle Eastern-inspired beat creates a song that combines her Colombian and Lebanese roots.
12. La Vida Es Un Carnaval by Celia Cruz
No list of Spanish music would be complete without a song by Celia Cruz, the Cuban Queen of Salsa. Even late in her half-century-long career she was still releasing hits like La Vida Es Un Carnaval (“Life Is A Carnival”), a song about the beauty of life and how bad times will pass.
13. Gasolina by Daddy Yankee
Puerto Rican reggaeton has become a dominant form of Latin pop music, with hit songs like Hips Don’t Lie and Despacito adopting its style. Its global popularity started with Gasolina by Daddy Yankee, which features thumping drums and a catchy hook that make it an instant earworm.
14. Danza Kuduro by Don Omar featuring Lucenzo
If you need a hard-hitting song, Danza Kuduro (a fast-paced dance) might be your jam. Don Omar fused reggaetón with African beats for a high-energy song that’s all about moving your body. With over one billion views on YouTube (and counting), you won’t go wrong enjoying the vibe of this song that was also used in one of the Fast and the Furious movies.
15. De Música Ligera by Soda Stereo
Argentinian alternative rock band Soda Stereo didn’t get very popular in the U.S., but they were widely popular in South and Central America. Their most well-known song De Música Ligera (“Of Light Music”) is emblematic of the Latin rock sound that they would pioneer.
16. Nathalie by Julio Iglesias
If Spanish-language music had an official ambassador, it would be Julio Iglesias. The most successful Spanish singer in the world, Iglesias has recorded in 14 languages and collaborated with famous American musicians like Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and even Willie Nelson. Nathalie is a perfect example of why so many listeners love Iglesias: a romantic number in which the singer pines for a lost love.
17. El Perdon by Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias
Some of the best Spanish songs are about love, and Nicky Jam hits it out of the park with El Perdón (“Pardon Me”). Singing with the also soulful Enrique Iglesias, Jam begs forgiveness through his regret, longing, and hope for reconciliation. It’s both smooth and catchy, and you’ll be able to pick up the lyrics easier than some dance songs.
18. Como El Agua by Camarón de la Isla
Como El Agua (“Like Water”) is a prime example of Spanish flamenco music, with its rapid guitar strumming and passionate vocals. Spanish Romani singer Camarón de la Isla, along with the guitarists on this song, Paco de Lucia and Tomatito, are a trio of artists who ushered in a new era of creative exploration for flamenco in the 1970s.
19. Ojalá Que Llueva Café by Juan Luis Guerra
With three Grammy Awards and nearly two dozen Latin Grammy Awards under his belt, Dominican musician Juan Luis Guerra is an established and celebrated figure in Latin music. His song Ojalá Que Llueva Café (“I Wish It Would Rain Coffee”) has an upbeat, tropical sound that contrasts with its bittersweet lyrics about the hardships suffered by rural farmers.
20. El Triste by José José
A staple of Mexican popular music, El Triste (“The Sad One”) is a song about living on after losing a loved one. Singer José José’s powerful voice and its big brass instrumentation give it a grand and sensational sound that expresses profound sadness.
21. Obsesión by Aventura, ft. Judy Santos
Though Aventura was formed in the Bronx, New York, the band’s style is based in Dominican bachata music, characterized by its slow and romantic pace, guitars, and bongos. Obsesión (“Obsession”) was Aventura’s breakthrough hit, and helped popularize a new kind of modern and urban-influenced bachata.
22. Por Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel
Tango was a wildly popular form of music and dance in the early 1900s; between 1903 and 1910, one third of all records released were tango. Carlos Gardel is perhaps the most famous tango singer, and his dramatic song Por Una Cabeza (“By a Head”) is about a gambler at a horse track lamenting the narrow loss of the horse he bet on.
23. ¡Corre! by Jesse & Joy
When you know it’s time to move on from a toxic relationship, ¡Corre! (“Run!”) might be the perfect Spanish song to listen to as you learn Spanish. Joy has a sweet voice that adds such emotion to this song that gives listeners the courage and strength to move on. It’s soft pop and acoustic, so this song is a nice way to bring down the vibe of your playlist when you need a break from the beats.
24. El Rey by Vicente Fernández
El Rey (“The King”) is a mainstay of ranchera, a genre of traditional Mexican music, with lyrics about a proud man who says he is a king despite his modest and rambling lifestyle. Though this song was originally written by José Alfredo Jiménez, its most well-known version is by famed ranchera singer Vicente Fernández.
25. Rayando El Sol by Maná
Maná is the best-selling Latin American band of all time, and their brand of poppy rock music has filled arenas around the world for the past 30 years. Rayando El Sol (literally “Scratching The Sun”) is their first hit, and would feel right at home on any classic rock station today.
Use music and Rosetta Stone to improve your Spanish
While you’re listening to Latin music, you can also learn how to converse in Spanish with Rosetta Stone. Not only will you build your vocabulary and grammar knowledge, you’ll also get feedback on your pronunciation through Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent technology so you can work on your accent. Lessons are bite-sized, making it easy to fit them into your busy schedule.