The Ultimate Guide to Songs in Spanish
Inside: A guide to Spanish songs by themes and learning levels.
Music in Spanish is an entire world, packed with amazing rhythms, poetry, and dance.
Latin music is a complex phenomenon that reflects the complex history of Latin America, a mixed region whose social environment has forged some of the most beautiful sounds in the world.
– Latin Music History
You can find songs in Spanish for every mood and age. I’ve been creating song lists for a while and have many more to go, but this page is a great beginner’s guide.
Whether or not you speak Spanish itself, these lists will help you find the best music for every occasion– for you, your family, or your Spanish classroom!
First, here’s an index to get you to the right section. You can click on the title to jump to that section.
- Spanish Songs for Kids
(Find playlists for both bilingual kids and Spanish beginners!) - Song Lists for Spanish Classes
(These are divided by levels and/or classroom themes.) - Holiday Songs in Spanish
(The best traditional and new songs, by themed holidays.) - The Best Spanish Songs by Lists
(For you!) - Tips on Teaching Spanish through Music
Songs in Spanish for Kids
Songs are so good for Spanish learners. Especially, with little ones, I love finding songs by theme. I’ve gathered our favorites on this page so you can see the themes at a glance.
If you are a non-native parent like me, songs in Spanish for kids are perfect for improving your own language, and learning Hispanic culture right along with your kids– especially the nursery rhymes and folk songs!
Spanish Nursery Rhymes
The best traditional songs (many that you might know in English too), such as Las ruedas del autobús and Estrellita, ¿dónde estás?
See the playlist of Spanish Nursery Rhymes.
Spanish Folk Songs and Lullabies
These are original Spanish songs for babies and kids that have been sung for many years.
See the playlist of Spanish Lullabies.
Spanish Number Songs
Learn the numbers in Spanish with this list of music (for both bilingual kids and Spanish learners).
See the playlist of Spanish Number Songs.
Spanish Greeting Songs
These are perfect for starting and ending classes, or waking up in the morning.
See the Spanish Greetings Songs for Kids.
Spanish Alphabet Songs
Learn the alphabet in Spanish with music, both for younger and older learners.
See the playlist of Spanish ABC Songs.
Favorite CDs and Playlists for Kids
Here are my top albums and artists for kids, with Spotify playlists as well.
See the playlist of Spanish songs for kids.
Body Parts Songs in Spanish
Get up and get moving to learn body parts with this fun collection of songs.
See the playlist of Parts of the Body Songs in Spanish.
Spanish Colors Songs
See the best songs to learn or practice the colors in Spanish.
See the playlist of Colors in Spanish Songs.
Spanish Songs About Families
Spanish learners can practice the different members of the family with this fun list.
See the playlist of Spanish Family Songs.
Spanish Calendar Songs
Learn the words for the days of the week, the months, weather, and more.
See the playlist of Spanish Calendar Songs.
Happy Birthday Songs in Spanish
My favorite examples of the traditional Cumpleaños feliz, and some extra alternative versions.
See the playlist of Happy Birthday Songs in Spanish.
Farm Animal Songs
These are original Spanish songs for babies and kids that have been sung for many years.
See the playlist of Spanish Farm Songs Lullabies.
Spanish Songs for Older Students
Here I’ve collected songs by traditional Spanish class levels. If you are new to teaching with authentic music, look below for some ideas, resources, and examples of how to teach with songs.
For me, it’s been one of the most enjoyable and life-giving strategies in my classroom. I learn and enjoy right along with my students. Different students like different songs, but they will often go home and listen on their own. (Voluntary, self-directed input? Yes please!). I’ve also had students travel to Latin America or eat a Latin restaurant and report back how excited they were to recognize songs on the radio.
Spanish Songs for Upper Elementary
Here’s a fantastic list of clean, popular, and original songs that elementary students can enjoy.
See the playlist of Spanish Songs for Upper Elementary.
Authentic Songs for Spanish 1
This list is curated with popular music that features verbs in the present tense and comprehensible choruses that your students will love.
See the playlist of Songs for Spanish 1.
Authentic Songs for Spanish 2
If you need songs with lots of verbs in the past tense, this list has music with preterite and imperfect verbs.
See the playlist of Songs for Spanish 2.
Spotify Playlists for Learners
Here are a bunch of my favorite Spotify playlists for Spanish classes, with many different themes.
See the collection of Spanish Spotify playlists.
Authentic Songs for Spanish 3+
This playlist is for students who are ready for more complicated language and highlight the subjunctive mood.
See the playlist of Songs for Spanish 3.
Authentic Songs with Object Pronouns
These songs feature lots of object pronouns in context for Spanish learners.
See the playlist of Spanish Songs with Object Pronouns.
Authentic Songs About Immigration
A playlist that speaks to different experiences of and references to immigration.
See the playlist of Spanish Songs about Immigration.
Afro-Latinx Musicians
This collection highlights the Afro-Latin tradition of music, both recent and older songs.
See the playlist of Afro-Latin Music.
Authentic Songs with Reflexive Verbs
These songs feature lots of object pronouns in context for Spanish learners.
See the playlist of Spanish Songs with Reflexive Verbs.
Spanish Songs By Holiday Themes
Christmas Songs in Spanish
I have several lists for Navidad:
Christmas & Winter Songs in Spanish for Kids
A Classic Latin Christmas Playlist
Valentine’s Songs in Spanish
There are lots of love songs in Spanish, but here are some fun and cheesy ones for Valentine’s in Spanish class.
Love & Friendship Songs in Spanish for Kids
Valentine’s Songs for Spanish Class Playlist
Día de Muertos Songs in Spanish
Here are songs for Day of the Dead to share about the culture and traditions of the day.
Día de Muertos Songs for Spanish Class Playlist
Thanksgiving Songs in Spanish
These songs can work for November or themes of being thankful.
Thanksgiving Songs for Spanish Class Playlist
General TOp Songs in Spanish by Theme
The Best Classics in Spanish
This is a collection of famous classic songs from all over the Spanish speaking world, in different rhythms and styles.
Classic Songs in Spanish Playlist
The Best Love Songs in Spanish
The Latin music tradition is famous for its music on love and passion– here are some of the most famous songs.
Love Songs in Spanish Playlist
(Need a breakup list? See my list of Sad Spanish Songs.)
General TOp Songs in Spanish by Theme
Tips for teaching Spanish Through Music
Quick tip: you can adjust the speed on YouTube by clicking the settings button in the lower right corner. See a more comprehensive list of tips here:
Tips for Teaching with Songs
Here are some freebies to sample, for different ages:
I also have materials for teachers to work with songs in class.
These activity packs were designed to anchor your weekly Spanish songs, so you’ll have lyrics, keywords, and activities ready to go. Please note these are not complete units. Rather, I created the activities to meet the following goals:
- Everything fits on ONE sheet. That’s right– you make one copy, per student, per song.
- Each sheet contains editable key terms and a cloze activity.
- Each sheet has a least one supplemental activity: listening, reading, search-the-lyrics, writing, or culture.
- EVERYTHING (except maps and some clip art) IS EDITABLE.
- Videos are embedded in a file from YouTube to easily show in class.
Here are some freebies to sample, for different ages:
