The Best of Latin Classic Music
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The Best of Latin Classic Music is a blog dedicated to showcasing the best of Latin American classical music. From the latest news to reviews and features, this is the go-to source for all things Latin American classical music.
Tito Puente- “Oye Como Va”
“Oye Como Va” is a song written by Cuban-American composer Tito Puente in 1963. The song features a fast-paced Latin rhythm and is one of Puente’s best-known songs. It has been covered by many artists, including Santana, who popularized the song with their 1970 version.
“La Vida Es Un Carnaval” is a song recorded by Cuban singer Celia Cruz. It was written by Larry Harlow and Johnny Pacheco. The song was released as a single in 1992 and became one of Cruz’s biggest hits. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Performance.
Gloria Estefan- “Conga”
“Conga” is a song recorded by Cuban-American artist Gloria Estefan for her 1986 eponymous album. The song was released as the lead single from the album. It reached number-one on the Hot 100 chart and in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The recording earned a Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Performance.
The song features a mix of different Latin rhythms, including conga and mambo. The music video features Estefan and her band Miami Sound Machine performing the song on a stage in front of a live audience.
Ricky Martin- “Livin’ La Vida Loca”
Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” is a certified Latin classic. The song was released in 1999 and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it one of the most successful Spanish-language singles of all time. The song helped to propel Martin to international stardom and is still one of his signature songs. “Livin’ La Vida Loca” is a infectiously catchy pop song with a distinctly Latin flair. The song’s lyrics are about living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment. “Livin’ La Vida Loca” is the perfect song for dancing and celebrating life.
Shakira- “Hips Don’t Lie”
Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” is one of the most popular Latin songs of all time. The song quickly rose to the top of the charts in 2006 and has remained there ever since. The song is a mix of both English and Spanish, and it talks about a woman’s curves and how they drive men wild.
Santana- “Smooth”
Santana is a Latin rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1966 by Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana. The band first came to public attention with their performance of the song ” Soul Sacrifice” at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. This exposure helped propel their debut album, Santana, into a multi-platinum record. “Smooth”, a collaboration between Santana and Matchbox Twenty vocalist Rob Thomas, was released in 1999 as the lead single from Santana’s album Supernatural. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks and won three Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Selena- “Dreaming of You”
“Dreaming of You” is a posthumous single by Selena. The song was released on July 18, 1995, by EMI Latin and five months after Selena’s death. It was her fifth and final single from her self-titled debut album, Selena. “Dreaming of You” peaked at number twenty-two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the first posthumous single in the United States to debut in the top forty of the Hot 100. The commercial success of the single helped Selena’s crossover album to debut within the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart one week after its release. In 2015, Billboard ranked “Dreaming of You” as one of the greatest musical works of all time.
Los Lobos- “La Bamba”
“La Bamba” is a Mexican folk song that gained international popularity after being adapted and recorded by Ritchie Valens in 1958. The original song, “La Bamba,” was written and performed by the Mexican-American rock band Los Lobos and released on their 1987 album, La Pistola y El Corazón.
“La Bamba” is a traditional Mexican Folk song that dates back to the 16th century. The song’s original composer is unknown, but it is thought to have originated in the state of Veracruz. “La Bamba” was originally a slow, solemn ballad, but it was transformed into a lively, upbeat dance tune by Valens.
Los Lobos’ version of “La Bamba” is a return to the song’s roots, with a slower, more reverential treatment befitting the folk ballad it once was. The band even throws in a few Spanish verses amongst the English ones, something Valens’ version lacked. Los Lobos’ “La Bamba” is a beautiful example of the power of music to transcend cultures and cross borders.
Ozomatli- “Cumbia Raza”
Ozomatli is a seven-piece band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1996. The group is known for its eclectic mix of musical styles including hip hop, ska, punk, rap, funk, and reggae. They have also been known to dabble in cumbia, salsa, merengue, and even jazz.
“Cumbia Raza” is a song off of Ozomatli’s self-titled debut album. The song is a perfect example of the band’s ability to mix various genres of music together. The song starts off with a cumbia beat and then transitions into a ska/punk sounding chorus. The lyrics of the song are about unity and pride in one’s culture.
Buena Vista Social Club- “Chan Chan”
“Chan Chan” is a song written by Cuban author and musician Compay Segundo. The song was first released on the Buena Vista Social Club album in 1997, and has since become one of the most popular and well-known Latin classic songs. “Chan Chan” is a slow, relaxed song that features Segundo’s signature vocals and guitar playing, as well as a catchy chorus that has been known to get stuck in people’s heads for days.
