Top Latin Music of the Late 1980s

A look at some of the top Latin music hits of the late 1980s.

Introduction

When it comes to music, the late 1980s was a great time for Latin music. In this article, we will countdown the top 10 Latin songs of the late 1980s.

Los Lobos – La Bamba

In 1986, Los Lobos released their cover of Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” as a single. The song became a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. In addition to its success in the U.S., “La Bamba” also became a smash hit in many Latin American countries. The song helped to bring Los Lobos global recognition and cemented their status as one of the top Latin music groups of the late 1980s.

Gloria Estefan – Conga

“Conga” is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan for her 1986 smash album, Let It Loose. The song was written by Estefan, Enrique Garcia and the producer of the track, MIchael OMartian. “Conga” features the conga drum prominently throughout its duration and served as an introduction of Miami Sound Machine to American pop audiences.

The single became one of the most successful songs of 1986, becoming a worldwide hit. In the United States, “Conga” peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on 1986. The single also topped the charts in several other countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“Conga” received generally positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised Estefan’s “sexy crowed-pleasing performance” on the song while Billboard magazine called it a “terrific track”. The singles accompanying music video features Estefan and her band performing in a club.

Miami Sound Machine – Dr. Beat

The Miami Sound Machine is a Cuban-American band that was originally formed in 1975 as the house band for the disco now known as the Latin Casino in Coral Gables, Florida. In 1979, they began working with producer and songwriter Emilio Estefan, Jr., who took over as their lead singer and turned them into a pop sensation.

The group scored their first major hit with the 1985 single “Dr. Beat,” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. The Miami Sound Machine went on to release a string of successful albums throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, including Primitive Love (1985), Let It Loose (1987), and Words of Love (1989).

Selena – Como La Flor

Como La Flor was released in 1992 as a single from Selena’s third studio album Entre a Mi Mundo. The song, which was written by Selena’s brother Abraham Quintanilla III and Selena’s producer and bandleader Rudy Perez, became one of Selena’s most successful singles. The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Performance at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in 1993.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the top Latin music of the late 1980s was a mix of styles that appealed to a wide range of audiences. From the pop-influenced sounds of Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin to the traditional stylings of Selena and Luis Miguel, there was something for everyone. While the 1990s would see a continued rise in popularity for Latin music, the late 1980s can be seen as a transitional period that saw the genre begin to gain mainstream acceptance.