Spanish & Songs

Top Spanish-Language Videos (Latin America)

2010-10-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

These are among the best or best-known films produced in or about Mexico. If you're interested in the viewing a film because you enjoy or are hoping to improve your Spanish, make certain you avoid buying a version that has been dubbed into English.

1) Como agua para chocolate
A visually delightful tale about a rural Mexican woman growing up in a dysfunctional family, this film was nominated for the 1993 Golden Globe for best foreign film. It is based on the novel by Laura Esquivel.

2) Traffic
This widely acclaimed Steven Soderbergh film interweaves four stories about the drug war. Most of the film is in English, but portions shot in Mexico are in subtitutled Spanish. Puerto Rican actor Benicio Del Toro won an Academy Award for his role, making him the first actor to win an Oscar for a Spanish-speaking part.

3) Men with Guns
This 1997 film about the plight of Mexico's indigenous population was directed and written by John Sayles. It is performed in Spanish and several indigenous languages that have seldom been heard in a major motion picture.

4) Salvador
This dramatic and politically loaded Oliver Stone film is based on the story of a journalist who witnessed tumultuous historic events in El Salvador. Mostly in English, it was nominated by the Academy in 1987 for best original screenplay.

5) El Mariachi
Made for only $7,000, this film won the 1993 Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

6) El norte
This film, in both English and Spanish, tells the story of Guatemalans who leave oppression and poverty in their homeland only to find that life in the United States is far from ideal.

7) Los olvidados
This offbeat film tells the story of youths living in the slums of Mexico. The title means "The Forgotten."

7) Guantanamera
This satire on life in Cuba combines elements of a road movie with a funeral procession.

8) Buena Vista Social Club
Cuban musicians tell their stories to the camera in this English-language documentary that highlights the Caribbean country's rich musical traditions.

9) La historia oficial
Here is the tale of an Argentine teacher who learns the ominous truth about her government. It earned an Oscar for best foreign language film of 1986.

10) Tango
Argentine/Spanish production tells the story or a tango artist who films a movie about the tango.

Top Picks - Top Spanish-Language Hits

2010-10-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

Guide Picks - Top Spanish-Language Hits You May Have Heard on U.S. English-Language Radio

Although Spanish-language songs were often performed in the United States during the Big Band era, it's almost unheard of now to turn on an English-language radio station and hear songs in a foreign language. Nevertheless, a handful of Spanish-language songs have become hit material in the United States since the 1950s, and so have some bilingual songs. Here's where you can find them.

Spanish Music Downloads

La bamba (Los Lobos)
Los Lobos revived this '50s dance tune, which also became a movie theme. It is included on their box set "El cancionero: más y más" and on several other albums by the popular band.

La bamba (Richie Valens)
Richie Valens was the first Mexican-American rock star in the U.S., and some of his songs (most of them in English) were popular in the late 1950s. His original name was Ricardo Valenzuela, but his agent wanted a less Mexican-sounding name. Two versions of his most well-known song are included on the compilation album "The Richie Valens Story."

Macarena
The Spanish dance of this name (it was recorded in various mixtures of English and Spanish) was all the rage in 1996.

Bailamos
This bilingual hit by Enrique Iglesias is also the title of his 1999 greatest-hits album. As its name suggests, it's a great tune to dance to, and it remains his most well-known songs for English-speaking audiences.

Oye como va
This 1971 Santana hit by Tito Puente is included on the "Best of Santana" album, which includes songs in both English and Spanish.

Eres tú
"Eres Tú" was a hit for Mocedades in 1974. The song is included on their compilation album, "Antología: sus 30 grandes canciones."

Guantanamera
It's little surprise that The Sandpipers chose this song for the title of their compilation album, which also includes two other Spanish songs, "La bamba" and "Enamorado."

Feliz Navidad
As much as anything, this repetitious bilingual hit by José Feliciano has made Feliz Navidad understood even when Spanish isn't. It's included on his "Mis mejores canciones: 17 super éxitos" compilation.

Un lugar celestial
Unfortunately, the album, "Heavenly Place," that includes this bilingual contemporary Christian hit by Jaci Valásquez doesn't include the Spanish songs you'll find on her earlier albums.

El watusi
Recorded in 1962, "El watusi" became a hit and helped start a dance craze. But musician Roy Barretto wasn't particularly fond of it, and the dance song hasn't been included on an album since he introduced it on the hard-to-find "Charanga moderna" album.

Dreaming of You
This song by Selena, which become popular only after her murder, includes some words in Spanish in the background. The album of the same name includes "Amor prohibido" and "Como la flor," both of which enjoyed popularity in Latin America.

Livin' La Vida Loca
Like Selena's first English-language hit, this hit by Ricky Martin includes a smattering of Spanish. It's included on his self-named album, which is half in Spanish, half in English.

Popular Spanish Music

2008-01-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

Popular Spanish Music

The Best of Real Spanish Music.

Listening to Spanish music is a great way to improve your accent and learn more about Spanish culture. This is a compilation of the top music artists in Spain. Check out the links for audio clips. There's something for everybody included!

The fanpage icon takes you directly to official or un-official fanpages for the particular artist. Most include the lyrics to the songs.
Images and album names link directly to Amazon.com, where you can listen to audio clips using Real Audio.
Artists' names link directly to a discography at Amazon.com.

Ella Baila Sola

Style: Pop-Rock

No less than nine of their songs flew up Spain's Top-40 hits. These two girls represent the best of popular Spanish music. Their first two albums were great. Their new third album is even better! They have a special harmony all their own that has enchanted fans throughout Spain. It's no wonder when you listen to their touching lyrics and wonderful harmonies.

Rosana Arbelo

Luna Nueva

Style: Adult Contemporary

Rosana exploded onto the Spanish music scene in 1996 with her debut album, "Lunas Rotas." It went on to sell more copies in Spain than any other CD to date. Rosana returned in 1998 with another chart-topping collection "Luna Nueva." Her passionate voice soars and her tender, earthy lyrics resonate deep emotion.

Mecano

Ana Jose Nacho is their latest CD that includes their greatest hits along with several new songs.

Style: Pop-Rock

With over 16 Million albums sold, they are by far the biggest group in Spain. Not only the most popular group in Spain, Mecano also has wide appeal throughout Europe. Their upbeat music paints all kinds of images, from the Plaza del Sol in Madrid on New Year's Eve, to a lost expedition at the South Pole. They even have a song about the story of Laika, the Russian space dog that anyone can sing along with.

Gira Dos

Ana Torroja and Miguel Bose sing duets and their greatest hits.

Style: Pop-Rock

This CD is incredible. Imagine Mecano's lead vocal teaming up with Spanish music star Miguel Bose on the stage together. That's exactly what Gira Dos is, with wonderful live versions of Mecano's favorites mixed with Miguel's greatest. The two performers also team up to do some memorable duos.

Presuntos Implicados

La Noche

Style: Adult Contemporary

Very refreshing group that sings mature songs for a mature listeners. This group includes a married couple who have written unforgettable songs about raising a child. Relaxing and romantic lyrics that use metaphors to express love and growth.

Paco de Lucia

Antalogia

Style: Flamenco-Guitar

No spanish music page would be complete without some flamenco. Paco de Lucia is by far the best flamenco guitarist of the moment. One listen and you'll know why.

Luz Casal

Con Otra Mirada

Style: Pop-Rock

Spain's female rock sensation. She's so popular, Pedro Almodovar included serveral of her tunes in his 1991 hit "Tacones Lejanos." Some of her tunes will rock you while others will soothe you.

Ultimo De La Fila

La Rebelion De Los Hombres Rana is their latest and best selling album.

Style: Pop-Rock

Nobody sings or writes like these two guys from Catalunya. It's hard to call them anything less than "original," with such songs as "Vestido de Hombre Rana" and "Las Hojas que Ríen." Many have said no Spanish music collection is complete without at least one of their CDs. They are my personal favorite because their lyrics are so poetic.

Eros Ramazzotti

Eros

Style: Pop-Rock

Okay, so he's Italian, but Eros's Spanish-version albums still have that same upbeat style and compelling lyrics that make him so popular in Spain. His songs are sure to get you moving. He's also done a duet with Tina Turner that was a hit in Europe and made him one of Europe's most popular singers.

Sergio Dalma

Historias Normales

Style: Pop-Rock

Orginally from Sabadell, Spain, Serio Dalma has been compared to such greats as Kenny Loggins and Michael Bolton. Over the years he has become one of the great figures of Spanish pop music. He has very upbeat music with most of his themes revolving around love.

Celtas Cortos

Rock Celta

Style: Pop-Rock

This group plays rock with a distinctive celtic twist. There's no other group quite like them anywhere in the world. Most of their songs have a fast celtic beat with a mix of traditional and modern instruments.

Mocedades

Coleccion

Style: Adult-Contemporary

Since the seventies, this group has topped the charts all over Europe. In Spain they are known as one of the mega-groups during that time. If you were in Spain in the seventies or eighties, you'll easily recognize many of their tunes. Their international hit "Eres Tu" has been featured in several Hollywood movies. Great sing-along music.

Juaquin Sabina

Yo Mi Me Contigo

Style: Adult-Contemporary

Juaquin loves to write and sing about life in Spain. He particularly likes to poke fun at popular culture through examples and stories. Very relaxing voice with unforgettable tunes and lyrics.

La Unión

Grandes Exitos

Style: Rock

These guys deliver great rock music with a touch of Spanish style. Their lyrics range from life in the pueblo to how love hurts. The later albums have tones down the rock a bit, but they still know how to jam.

Laura Pausini

The Best of...

Style: Pop-Rock

Laura has been a mega-hit in both Spain and Latin America, with her heart-opening voice and touching lyrics. Her latest CD is a magical collection of music with tunes that stay with you. As her voice flows through the music, it's difficult not to sing along to those poetic Spanish lyrics.

Nek

Nek, La Vida Es

Style: Pop-Rock

This guy drives the girls crazy with his sexy voice and flirtatious lyrics. His tunes are amazingly rhythmic and full of positive energy. Nek is one of the greatest Spanish-singing pop musicians of our time, although many people have not yet heard him. If you appreciate true musical talent and musical energy, Nek will not disappoint you.

Heroes del Silencio

Para Siempre

Style: Rock

This is the premier rock group from Spain. If you like your electric guitar played "fuerte" then these artists are for you. They bring down the house with their strong Rock lyrics and deep rock style.