The Classic Spanish Songs You Need to Know

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!

September 15
Embracing Diversity on Multicultural Kid Blogs: 10 Fun Facts About Dominican Republic

September 18
Spanish Mama: Nazca Lines – Exploratory Art Project

September 19
Hispanic Mama: Fun Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Your Children

September 20
Inspired by Family

September 21
Spanish Mama

September 22
Mundo Lanugo

September 25
Spanish Playground

September 26
All Done Monkey

September 27
Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes

September 29
Pura Vida Moms on Multicultural Kid Blogs

October 2
Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes on Multicultural Kid Blogs

October 5
Spanglish House

October 6
Mama Tortuga

Don’t miss all of the great posts from previous years as well: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016