Though made famous during the Mexican Independence of 1910, this folk corrido is actually from Spain, with verses spanning back to the 15th Century. With satirical political jabs hidden in the words, "La Cucaracha" has had verses written about wars in Spain and eventually Mexico. The song has since become a party standard for Mariachi acts to play at weddings.
This classic song was written by Consuelo Velazquez. Though this song talks about being kissed passionately, at the time she wrote the ballad, Consuelo had not yet been kissed. Among artists who have covered this song are the Beatles. Jazz musician Herb Alpert's cover of "Besame Mucho" was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
This Cuban tune was written in the late 1920s about a woman from Guantanamo. The song is also a guajira, a Cuban folk rhythm. Many verses and meanings exist, so over the years, many artists have taken liberties with the verses. In 1997, Hip-hop artist Wy-Clef Jean invited Cuban singer Celia Cruz to sing on his album, Carnival. Their cover of "Guantamera" was a hit, and the album sold over five million copies worldwide.
This folk tune hails from the Mexican state of Veracruz. Sung at weddings, this simple song became an international hit in the late 1950s when singer Ritchie Valens performed it as a rock single. Valens and the song were in inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. The song is still sung at Mexican/Chicano family functions, and Los Lobos covered it in the 80s for the movie of the same name. The Los Angeles punk band The Plugz gave the song an aggressive punk cover in the late 70s, a punk standard now as well.
This simple Cha-cha-cha was written by the “King of the Timbales,” Tito Puente, in 1963. It was covered by Carlos Santana in 1970, making it a rock anthem and Santana an international star. The Santana cover was musically important, as it fused a folk Caribbean rhythm with a rock and roll. That song alone has influenced many Latin rockers such as Los Lobos and Mars Volta.
This bilingual pop tune made Ricky Martin an overnight sensation. Released in 1999, the song ushered in a new acceptance of Latin rock/pop. Artists such as Shakira, Mana and Juanes have all had enormous careers in part due to this timely international hit. The co-writer of “Loca,” Draco Rosa, was a fellow “Menudo” member with Martin when they were teens in Puerto Rico.
Herald Salsero and Actor Ruben Blades blazed into the Salsa world in the late 70s with his brand of social commentary music. "Pedro Navaja" was Blades' homage to “Mack the Knife.” With the song running more than seven minutes, the record label and close musical friends told Blades it was too long to be a single. Fans disagreed, making the epic tale one of the best-selling Salsa songs of all time. The song inspired theater productions, a movie and a sequel.
Mariachi music, with charro pants, violins, trumpets, big guitars and big hats, is a worldwide phenomenon. This style of Mexico has been around since the 18th century. No song more than the Ranchera, "Volver,Volver," represents Mariachi to the world. International star Vicente Fernandez embodies Mexico and Mariachi with his vulnerable yet powerful rendition of this torturous love tune written in 1975 by Fernando Maldonado.
This Christmas pop tune, according to ACSAP, is one of the most downloaded and played holiday songs of all time. Blind singer/songwriter Jose Feliciano of Puerto Rico first released the song on a Christmas album in 1970. The English verse repeats the same as the Spanish “I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart.” Covers have been done by the Three Tenors and Celine Dion.