7 Classic Spanish Songs You Need to Hear

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

If you’re looking for some great Spanish songs to add to your playlist, look no further! Here are 7 classics that you definitely need to hear.

“La Bamba” – Ritchie Valens

“La Bamba” is a classic Spanish song that has been covered by many artists over the years. The original version was sung by Ritchie Valens, a Mexican-American singer who had a huge hit with the song in 1958. The song is about a young man who is in love with a girl named La Bamba.

The most famous version of the song was recorded by Los Lobos, a Mexican-American rock band, in 1987. The song was released as a single and became a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was also nominated for Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Other versions of the song have been recorded by many artists, including Jerry Garcia, Santana, and Selena Quintanilla.

“Guantanamera” – Celia Cruz

“Guantanamera” is one of the most popular and recognizable Cuban songs in the world. It was written by Cuban poet José Martí in 1895 and set to music by Cuban composer and musician Julián Orbón in 1963. The song became a hit for Cuban singer Celia Cruz in 1966, and has been covered dozens of times by artists from all over the world.

“Guantanamera” is a patriotic song that celebrates the beauty of Cuba and its people. The lyrics describe a woman from Guantánamo, Cuba, who is simple and honest. The song has been used as an anthem for the Cuban Revolution and is still popular today among Cubans and Spanish speakers everywhere.

“Oye Como Va” – Santana

“Oye Como Va” is a classic Latin rock song written by Tito Puente in 1963. Santana popularized the song in 1970 with their version, which became a hit on both the Latin and mainstream charts. The song has been covered numerous times by artists such as Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz, and Ricky Martin.

“Hotel California” – Eagles

“Hotel California” is a song by the American rock band Eagles. It was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon, and produced by Glyn Johns. The song was released as the lead single from the band’s 1976 album of the same name and peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1977. The lyrics of the song describe the material excesses of American culture.

The song received mixed reviews from music critics upon its release. Some praised its composition and lyrical content, while others criticized its lengthy running time and production. In more recent years, “Hotel California” has been ranked as one of the greatest songs of all time and is often cited as a highlight of the Eagles’ catalog. It has been covered by a number of artists, including Spanish singer Enrique Bunbury, who released a Spanish-language version of the song in 2001.

“Macarena” – Los Del Rio

The beat and the lyrics to “Macarena” are so catchy that even people who don’t speak Spanish can sing along. The original version of the song was released in 1993 by the Spanish duo Los del Rio, and it became an instant classic. The song topped charts all over the world, including the United States, where it spent fourteen weeks at number one. In 1996, a new version of “Macarena” was released with different lyrics, and this version became even more popular than the original.

“La Cucaracha” – traditional

“La Cucaracha” is a traditional Spanish folk song that became popular in Mexico in the early 20th century. The song is about a cockroach that cannot walk because it has lost one of its legs. It is often used as a marching song, and it has been adapted for many different instruments, including the guitar and piano.

“Bésame Mucho” – Consuelo Velázquez

“Bésame Mucho” (“Kiss Me a Lot”) is a song written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.

The original Spanish lyrics were adapted into English by Sunny Skylar, and the song was recorded by many artists including Nat King Cole, Andrea Bocelli and Gloria Estefan.

The song became popular again in 2002 when it was used in the film “Y Tu Mamá También.” It has been covered by many other artists since then, including Shakira and Luis Miguel.

“Bésame Mucho” is a classic Spanish love song that everyone should hear at least once.

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