I’ve lately become a bit of a fan of spanish music. Mainly of the variety churned out by the likes of Shakira and Enrique Iglesias. I’m Indian, I live in India, and I speak no spanish except for una cerveza, por favor. Also, we don’t get any spanish music in the stores here. Don’t ask me how I got into the spanish music thing, 'cause I don’t know either!! Anyways, I’ve been wanting to put together a cd of upbeat spanish songs, and I was thinking mebbe I could get some help here!
Right now, I can’t get Yo No Soy Esa Mujer by Paulina Rubio out of my head (not that I want to!). It’s the only song on my playlist now, and I’ve got it on repeat! I also really like Tu Y Yo by Thalia. Estoy Aqui by Shakira is another song that I really like. Asereje is kinda cute too! There is a song by Enrique Iglesias too, but I don’t know the name :o
You see where I’m going with this? I know it’s a bit vague, but could those into this kind of music give me some more names to help me make a cd?
Third post in this thread, i know. But also try Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, very upbeat. Spec look for el matador, gitana, calaveras y diablitos and strawberry fields (i know, they do a cool cover).
Gloria Estefan’s entire Mi Tierra album is very energetic and upbeat.
Kirsty MacColl did a couple of mixed English-and-Spanish songs: “My Affair” from Electric Landlady; and “In These Shoes” from Tropical Brainstorm. Both are very upbeat and wrily humorous.
Oooh, another group that has upbeat songs are Los Rabanes, from Panamá. Also from Panamá and if you like salsa (or want to listen to salsa), try Rubén Blades.
If you want some more heavy rock you could try Molotov (from Mexico, they sing in both English and Spanish) and Puya (from Puerto Rico, also in English and Spanish, even mixing salsa beats in some of the songs).
Enrique Iglesias: Bailamos is the only Spanish pop song I can remember right now.
Ricky Martin: Try listening to his first 3 albums, all in Spanish, preferably the third one, A medio vivir. Songs to listen from the album: A medio vivir, María, Fuego de noche, nieve de dia, Volverás, and Te extraño, te olvido te amo.
Shakira’s song Estoy Aqui is from her first album, Pies descalzos. I like Antología, Estoy aquí, Pies descalzos, sueños blancos, and Se quiere…se mata, even though the last one is not exactly upbeat.
Might I suggest Mexican band, El Gran Silencio. A very upbeat, if not strange band. I challenge anyone not to dance after hearing their song “Chuntaro Style”
There’s this song that my Spanish teacher (from Spain) last spring played for us one day -
Azul by Christian Castro
Oh my goodness is it catchy. I don’t even like pop music, but I was humming this song for months.
First of all, the artists you name are not Spanish. They are Latin American. It’s hard to say what kind of music you would like because music in Spanish is so diverse. Here are my favorites (in no particular order):[ul]
[li]Shakira (Colombia). Pies descalzados is her best album. Her recent English effort is crap.[/li][li]Mana (Mexico) is very catchy. Based on the examples you gave, I think you’d like them. They have a few albums and their all about equally good. Their sound is ripped off the Police.[/li][li]Manu Chao (France) is great. He’s French but many of his songs are in Spanish. I don’t consider him exactly upbeat, but maybe it would sound that way if you can’t understand the lyrics. His earlier band, Mano Negra had a harder, more rock sound.[/li][li]Cafe Tacuba (Mexico) is my favorite of the rock en espanol genre. They have an amazing variety of styles, from traditional Mexican to salsa, all with an original, modern twist. Re and Avanlancha de Exitos are the best.[/li][li]Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (Argentina) are good. I concur with the song recommmendations above.[/li][li]Juan Luis Guerra (Domican Republic) is one of the most popular artists in Latin America. His songs are merengue and bachata, Caribbean styles of music. His music and lyrics are very listenable and danceable.[/li][li]King Chango has a reggae influence. “Sin ti” from Return of El Santo was a hit last year, and the whole album’s good.[/li][li]Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba) has become hugely popular in the U.S. the past few years. You didn’t mention any examples of salsa that you like. I recommend starting with their title album, and if you like that there is a whole world of Cuban music for you to explore.[/li][li]Aterciopelados (Colombia) is not the most upbeat but they’re very good. My favorite albums are Caribe Atomico and Pipa de la paz.[/li][li]Los Amigos Invisibles (Venezuela) have a fun, funky sound that’s good for parties.[/li][li]Los Orishas (Cuba) is basically hip-hop and is upbeat.[/li][li]Los Lobos’ (United States) La Pistola y el Corazon is a surprisingly good collection of traditional Mexican music.[/li][/ul]I’m afraid my suggestions aren’t as pop as what you like. Pop music is pretty easy to find. I suggest going on Amazon.com and checking out the most popular Latin American picks.
Well, when I wrote “spanish music”, I meant the language, not the nation. I am aware that Paulina Rubio and Thalia are Mexican, and that Shakira is Colombian…
Also, I consider these artists to be an introduction for me to spanish (language!) music… maybe it will inspire to to pick up the “learn spanish in 30 days” book I picked up!!
