The Classic Spanish Songs You Need to Know

by Spanish Mama | Oct 7, 2017

Inside: The best classic Spanish songs, with YouTube videos.

Some songs run in your veins. They take you home, your heart swells with memories, and maybe you can’t help but go grab your dancing shoes. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I’ve gathered a list of those songs here: those traditional songs in Spanish everyone should know.

To be be down-to-earth and real, reggaeton and bachatas are totally my guilty pleasures.

I use many pop Spanish songs in my classes (and love them)…. BUT–

It’s important to give our kids and students the music of decades or centuries, too.

We’re talking the classic songs in Spanish, or from before Spanish was the official language. This music connects us to the present and the past. And music is so entrenched in Hispanic history and culture, you won’t have to look far.

(If you’re looking for Spanish folk songs for children, I’ve got a list of those as well. Or see my Songs in Spanish by theme and category.)

13 Classic Spanish Songs

You don’t have to dissect or study the music, if you don’t want to. It’s okay to simply listen to and love the these songs, together with your family or classes. They speak for themselves, as great art does.

So grab your dancing shoes, maybe a box of tissues in case the nostalgia kicks in, and let’s go!

1. Guantanamera

2. El condor pasa

3. Bamboleo

4. México lindo y querido

5. La bamba

6. Los caminos de la vida

7. Sólo le pido a Dios

8. Caballito nicoyano

9. Cielito lindo

10. María Isabel

11. La gota fría

12. Si vas para Chile

13. El solar de Monimbó

Now you tell me what I missed! Comment with your favorite traditional songs in Spanish below.

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Image credits: Simonovstas / shutterstock.com

We are so excited for our sixth annual Hispanic Heritage Month series and giveaway! Through the month (September 15 – October 15), you’ll find great resources to share Hispanic Heritage with kids, plus you can enter to win in our great giveaway and link up your own posts on Hispanic Heritage!