# Looking for upbeat spanish songs.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 25, 2002, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604 "2002-11-25T05:31:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/1 "2002-11-25T05:31:45Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![alex\_arg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@alex\_arg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alex_arg)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/2 "2002-11-25T06:06:33Z")
well Juanes is very nice, he even does a duet with Nelly Furtado, also try Elefante. ---
**Author:** ![alex\_arg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@alex\_arg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alex_arg)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/3 "2002-11-25T06:09:04Z")
From Juanes: Fotografia, A Dios le pido and Fijate bien. From Elefante: Asi es la vida, El abandonado and whatever u can find. ---
**Author:** ![alex\_arg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@alex\_arg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alex_arg)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/4 "2002-11-25T06:11:50Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/5 "2002-11-25T10:32:07Z")
Yea, I agree with alex, especially about Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. You could also try searching Manu Chao and Maná. From Maná: Como un perro, De pies a cabeza. ---
**Author:** ![alex\_arg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@alex\_arg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alex_arg)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/6 "2002-11-26T06:10:34Z")
Mana rocks Karl. Should’ve thought of em too ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/7 "2002-11-26T14:11:16Z")
Thanks a lot, you guys!! Anytime you need info on Indian music, gimme a shout 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/8 "2002-11-26T14:21:37Z")
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs are great, try looking for “Los autenticos decadentes” they are also great (funny lyrics) ---
**Author:** ![Jabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@Jabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jabba)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/9 "2002-11-26T14:25:35Z")
Gotan Project, _La Revancha del Tango_ is very good, though it’s instrumentals, not songs. ---
**Author:** ![Jerevan\_Somerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Jerevan\_Somerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerevan_Somerville)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/10 "2002-11-26T15:24:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/11 "2002-11-26T18:53:57Z")
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](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002E0T/qid=1038336895/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-5840839-5264835?v=glance&s=music). 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](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002E5J/qid=1038336703/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/002-5840839-5264835?v=glance&s=music). I like Antología, Estoy aquí, Pies descalzos, sueños blancos, and Se quiere…se mata, even though the last one is not exactly upbeat. Note : Coding fixed. - E. ---
**Author:** ![Bedrosian\_Bixby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@Bedrosian\_Bixby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bedrosian_Bixby)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/12 "2002-11-26T19:39:59Z")
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” ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/13 "2002-11-26T23:38:07Z")
[The Gipsy Kings](http://www.nonesuch.com/Hi_Band/gipsy_frame.html) one of the great bands of the world featuring Tonino Baliardo the world’s best guitarist. ---
**Author:** ![Grasshopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Grasshopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grasshopper)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/14 "2002-11-27T01:09:06Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![alex\_arg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@alex\_arg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alex_arg)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/15 "2002-11-27T06:08:20Z")
Azul sucks. It sounds… well whatever Í’m not getting in a rant over a song. ---
**Author:** ![Grasshopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Grasshopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grasshopper)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/16 "2002-11-27T20:46:07Z")
Ha, well like I said, I don’t like pop music and I don’t think it’s a very good song, it’s just catchy, the same way a Britney Spears song is catchy. (insert all “Britney Spears sucks” comments here). ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/17 "2002-11-28T04:57:24Z")
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](http://Amazon.com) and checking out the most popular Latin American picks. ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/18 "2002-11-28T18:25:21Z")
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!! I liked Elefante the best… so far 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/19 "2002-11-28T21:23:46Z")
**Los Pericos** , a band from Venezuela I believe. Kind of rock/ska/reggae if I recall. Someone else I heard on the radio down there was **Bonny Cepeda** , kind of salsa I think. Catchy. ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604/20 "2002-11-28T22:39:58Z")
Los Pericos is Argentinian. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-upbeat-spanish-songs/138604.md?page=2)