The origin of Mexican music is a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of indigenous and Western musical traditions. Imagine the crossroads where the rhythmic pulse of ancient drums and flutes met the harmonies of European melodies. The indigenous legacy resonates in the percussions, the haunting sounds of the flute, and the conch shell – a typical Mexican musical instrument and ancestor to the trumpet. Contemporary traditional music in Mexico retains this raw energy and rhythm, modernized with instruments like the guitar, giving birth to soulful sounds meant to move your feet! Just like Linkaband, with its community of 15,000 musicians, Mexican music’s vocation is to make people dance and feel alive.
Dive into the heart of Mexican folklore and explore the composers and compositions that make Mexico a country perpetually celebrating music with these 10 iconic Mexican Songs!
10 – La Bamba: A Mexican Song Heard Around the World
Ritchie Valens’ meteoric career was tragically cut short by a plane crash. He was only 17 and had been performing for a mere eight months when he passed, yet he left behind a masterpiece that continues to ignite dance floors globally: La Bamba!
This young American musician of Mexican heritage drew inspiration from a traditional folk song hailing from Veracruz, a coastal state in southeastern Mexico. His story is both poignant and inspiring, as this track was among the first Mexican songs, and specifically Spanish-language songs, to break into the Top 50 charts in the United States.
While La Bamba reached the US charts quickly, it took until the 1960s for it to capture hearts in France, thanks to the group Los Machucambos, who introduced this iconic Mexican song to French audiences.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “To dance the Bamba you need a little grace!” – Ritchie Valens – La Bamba
9 – Cielito Lindo: The Soul of Mexican Mariachi Music
Cielito Lindo, meaning “lovely little sky” in English, is intrinsically linked to the vibrant sound of mariachis! It’s not just a song; it’s part of Mexico’s national repertoire and holds the esteemed status of a national treasure! This folkloric gem embodies the spirit of popular Mexico, evoking powerful patriotic emotions, especially for migrant workers longing for their homeland and roots.
This beloved Mexican song was penned in 1882 by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés. Countless Mexican singers have since revitalized it with mariachi arrangements, including legends like Pedro Infante and even Luciano Pavarotti.
Such is its cultural significance, that the uplifting melodies of Cielito Lindo, played by mariachi orchestras, often replace the national anthem during major international events, like the FIFA World Cup, showcasing the global appeal of Mexican songs.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “An arrow is shot through the air! Pretty honey, Cupid threw it. If he shot it while playing, darling enough, it hurt me so much. » – Quirino Mendoza y Cortés – Cielito Lindo
8 – México Lindo y Querido: An Anthem of Mexican Patriotism
México Lindo y Querido is a quintessential Mexican mariachi and ranchero song, a powerful expression of love for the homeland. Written by Chucho Monge and popularized by the iconic singer Jorge Negrete, it resonates throughout the Spanish-speaking world as an anthem of patriotism and unwavering loyalty to Mexico. It has been performed by numerous renowned artists, including Bertín Osborne, Ana Gabriel, Vicente Fernández, and Pedro Fernández, solidifying its place in the canon of Mexican songs.
The poignant irony lies in the lyrics Jorge Negrete passionately sang throughout his career:
México Lindo y Querido, si muero lejos de ti que digan que estoy dormido y que me traigan aquí, which translates to, “My beautiful and beloved Mexico, should I die far from you, let them say I’m asleep and bring me back to you!”. Tragically, Negrete passed away far from his beloved land in Los Angeles at the young age of 42, succumbing to hepatitis.
However, Jorge Negrete can rest easy knowing his wish was fulfilled. His body was repatriated and now rests in the Pantheon of Artists in Mexico City, a testament to his enduring legacy as a performer of iconic Mexican songs.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “The voice of my guitar wants to sing its joy to my Mexican land when the morning wakes up. I sing about its volcanoes, its meadows and its flowers which are like talismans of love among my loves. My beautiful and beloved Mexico, should I die far from you, let them say that I sleep and bring me back to you!” – Chucho Monge – México lindo y querido
7 – Solamente una vez: The Soulful Side of Mexican Music
“Solamente una vez” (Only once), by Agustín Lara, often evokes thoughts of a passionate and perhaps tumultuous love affair. However, the true story behind this melancholic Mexican song is quite different. Agustín Lara found his inspiration in his friend José Mojica’s decision to dedicate his life to religion. While tinged with sadness, it’s a testament to the depth of emotion found within Mexican music.
While Mexican songs are often associated with vibrant dance rhythms, they also possess a profound capacity to touch the heart. This song, known to English-speaking audiences as You Belong to My Heart, has been interpreted by countless artists including Daniel Rodríguez, Arielle Dombasle, Julio Iglesias, Luis Miguel, and Cliff Richard, demonstrating its universal appeal as a deeply moving Mexican song.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “Once, nothing more, hope shone in my garden. The hope that lights the way to my loneliness. Once, nothing more. The soul surrenders. With a gentle and total renunciation.” – Agustín Lara – Solamente una vez
6 – Arriba!: Contemporary Mexican Music Takes Center Stage
Now, for a complete shift in style and era! Why Natanael Cano? Simply check the Mexican music charts, and you’ll find him consistently in the top 10. For several years, Mexican hip-hop has been gaining significant momentum. Following the global sensation of Despacito by Puerto Rican artist Luis Fonsi, Latin music has exploded onto the international scene. Today, audiences worldwide are captivated by Mexican songs and Latin rhythms, even without understanding the Spanish lyrics, drawn to their infectious energy and vibrant spirit.
Rapper Natanael Cano is a leading figure in the corridos tumbados movement. These 21st-century artists blend hip-hop beats with over 150 years of traditional Mexican music and folk melodies. Cano’s rise to fame accelerated after collaborating with superstar Bad Bunny on the remix of Soy el Diablo, catapulting him into the upper echelons of Mexican artists.
Since his teenage years, Natanael Cano has dominated the Mexican YouTube scene with hits like El F1 and El Drip, amassing tens of millions of views. His success underscores the evolving landscape of Mexican songs and their global reach.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “You tell me if you want to be with me or if I better go. Your kisses say you love me, but your words don’t.” – Natanael Cano – Arriba
5 – ¿Comprendes, Mendes?: Mexican Rap Pioneers
Control Machete is a foundational name in Mexican hip-hop! This groundbreaking group has garnered 2 MTV Awards and a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban Music Album. Their influential recordings played a pivotal role in establishing Mexican hip-hop as a continental force. If you were a hip-hop enthusiast in the 90s, you’ve undoubtedly encountered their impactful Mexican songs.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “The devil loses his leash when surrounded by madmen.” – Control Machete – ¿Comprendes, Mendes?
4 – Bésame Mucho: The Timeless Mexican Song of Lovers
Bésame mucho, Spanish for “kiss me a lot,” is more than just a Mexican song; it’s a passionate plea to a loved one. This globally recognized bolero was composed in 1940 by Mexican composer Consuelo Velázquez. Interestingly, the story goes that she wrote it without fully comprehending the depth of its romantic implications. Coming from a devout Catholic family, physical affection outside of marriage was considered a transgression at the time.
Covered countless times, a particularly famous rendition from 1956 features singer Gigliola Cinquetti alongside Trio Los Panchos. In 1999, this masterpiece was recognized as the most sung Mexican song in the world, a testament to its enduring power and universal theme of love.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “I want to have you right next to me. Look me in your eyes and see you next to me. I think maybe tomorrow I will be far from where you will be. Kiss me more, kiss me more than once, as if this beautiful night were the very last time.” – Cesaria Evora – Bésame Mucho
3 – El Jarabe Tapatio: The Iconic Mexican Hat Dance
El Jarabe Tapatío is a spirited Mexican folk dance, often considered the national dance of Mexico. Internationally, it’s widely known as the Mexican Hat Dance. Danced as a couple, it exudes intimacy and playful courtship. Originally, this vibrant dance served as a courtship ritual in Guadalajara during the 19th century, for those seeking love, adding a layer of historical romance to this classic Mexican song and dance.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “In Jalisco, the Jarabe is danced. Since nobody knows how to dance to the rhythm of guitars and basses, the Jarabe will hit hard.” – Mariachi Vargas – El Jarabe Tapatio
2 – Ni Una Sola Palabra: Modern Mexican Pop Sensation
Ni Una Sola Palabra, meaning “not a single word” in English, was the lead single from Paulina Rubio’s album Ananda. Paulina Rubio, known as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” achieved her third US pop hit with this track, reaching No. 98 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, showcasing the crossover appeal of Mexican pop songs.
The music was composed by Xabier San Martín of the renowned Mexican and Spanish music group La Oreja de Van Gogh. Paulina Rubio’s powerful vocals propelled this Mexican song to the top of Latin American radio charts in 2006, cementing its place as a modern classic.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “Not a single word, not a gesture, not a passionate look, not a trace of the kisses he gave you until dawn, not one of his smiles. And every night, every day, there are those eyes in which you now see yourself crying. ” – Paulina Rubio – Ni Una Sola Palabra
1 – Adiós Amor: A Popular Mexican Ballad of Farewell
This is quintessential Mexican music! If you’ve ever enjoyed a late night out with Mexicans, there’s a high probability you’ve heard Adiós Amor sung around 3 am. This incredibly popular Mexican song captures the bittersweet emotion of farewell.
Adiós Amor, “Goodbye my love,” originated from the mind of composer Salvador Garza. The ballad was first recorded by the Mexican music group Los Dareyes de la Sierra in 2008.
Guitarist and singer Christian Nodal, captivated by its heart-wrenching farewell theme, decided to record his own version with mariachis, creating a more rhythmic rendition that allows bolero enthusiasts to even dance to this emotional Mexican song.
- Mexican song in a nutshell: “You are not the same and you treat me badly. And before my God, I could swear to you, how much I loved you and how much I still love you. Goodbye My Love. I’m out of your life. And this time it’s forever. I leave without hesitation, because it would be fatal.” – Christian Nodal – Adiós Amor
Have you enjoyed this exploration of Mexican songs? Stay tuned for more musical journeys to discover even more about the world of music…
