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Favorite Songs in Spanish

Steven-W15

Steven-W15

One delightful discovery in learning Spanish is that I love latin music. "Sobre gustos no hay nada escrito" but I thought I'd pass along a few titles in the hopes that others might enjoy listening to them. For easier ones: "Eres Tu", "La Bamba" and "Guantanamera". And here is a list of a few of my favorites: - A Dios le pido - Suerte - No Me Doy Por Vencido - El Sol No Regresa - Yo Quisiera Ser (Reik) - Colgando en tus manos - Sin miedo a nada
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

Thanks. This is great. Can I get the songs with the lyrics in you tube?
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Absolutely. I think all of them have video clips and you can get the lyrics (if not with the video) for each with a simple web search. Hope you enjoy.
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

I have gained a deeper appreciation for latin music as well. I am learning to play "Guantanamera" on my guitar and learning the words for "extra credit." Although I have always loved Carlos Santana I now find myself listening to the Spanish lyrics as well as his stupendous guitar work. I really enjoy listening to Gloria Estefan as well. But, above all else, I love the music of the Buena Vista Social Club. I have watched the documentary several times, listen to the album frequently, and have a BVSC channel on Pandora to listen to related Cuban music. I wish that there was more recorded music of them, but just doing that album cost Ry Cooder a $25,000 fine!
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

I will check these out. I have found that some singers from hispanic backgrounds (Christina Alguilera, Jennefer Lopez, ...) have really good songs in Spanish but their style seems more "North American" to me (i.e., they lack that latin "punch").
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

My husband bought me a book from Amazon titled "Cuentos Espanoles. Thirteen short stories by Cervantes, Unamuno, Borges and others in the original Spanish and a new, English translation. I have to admit, I read a few of the stories in English first and then the original Spanish version. It's awesome. These short stories are edited by Angel Flores. I was inspired by Steven W15 and was talking to my husband about it so much that he decided to go ahead and buy me the book. This could be a beginning of beautiful relationship with literature that I enjoyed so much in high school.
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

Dan H24 can you tell us a little bit about your experience when you visited Cuba? Is it pretty safe for tourists? Where did you apply for your visa?
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

Aurora: ¡Claro qué sí, me encanta hablar de Cuba! As you probably know, US citizens cannot legally travel to Cuba purely for tourism (unless, of course, your names are Jay Z and Beyonce.) Many US citizens travel there through Canada, Mexico, or other countries, and risk the potential of a large fine if caught. Several years ago the Obama administration loosened the travel restrictions on travel to Cuba, issuing licences for what are called "People to People" exchanges. These are typically organized by religious, arts, or other organizations that must provide an agenda showing legitimate and meaningful interactions between US and Cuban citizens. The idea is that if enough US citizens interact meaningfully with enough Cuban citizens they they will want a democratic republic like ours. I am a photographer, so I traveled there with a group of other photographers. During our time there we met with, photographed with, and exchanged ideas about photography with a number of Cuban photographers. I have heard that people who just want to go there to visit Cuba (i.e. "tourists") can sign up with groups with which they have no legitimate affiliation, pay their money, do just enough P2P work to satisfy the requirements, and spend the rest of the time at the beach. Now, about my experiences there. First, safety: Havana may be the safest large city on the planet. Because of the US trade embargo and the fact that the Soviet Union no longer supports Cuba, tourism has become maybe the biggest business on the island. Lots of Europeans go there, as well as a few of us norteamericanos. The Cuban authorities take good care of their tourists. There are lots of police around who do not hesitate to intervene when they even think a Cuban national might be bothering a tourist in any way. I saw that twice myself. It is illegal for Cubans to own firearms. The sentences for even petty crimes can be very severe, and I hear that Cuban prisons are not nice places, so the crime rate is very low. One of my friends went to Cuba before me, and told me that he was out photographing alone at 3AM with thousands of dollars of camera equipment and felt perfectly safe, mostly because he could see the police on the corner watching his back. Even hotel rooms are safe, because they are owned by the state, the maids and other employees are state employees, and they know that if they are even accused of taking something from a tourist's room they will lose their job and never be able to work again. First morning there I left a peso and a stick of gum for my maid. Later that day she sought me out and made sure it was actually for her before she would take it. All this might sound oppressive, and for Cubans it is. Cuba is, of course, an authoritarian government that does not take dissidence lightly. Before we left for Cuba we were told: 1. Do not attempt to photograph soldiers or police officers. 2. Do not attempt to take photographs in the airport. 3. If someone tells you not to take a picture, do not argue, ask why, or attempt to sneak a picture. Just nod, put your camera away, and walk away. Obey the rules and you will have no problems with the authorities in Cuba. In my former profession we used to say, "forgiveness is easier to obtain than permission." This saying does not apply in Cuba! Cuban people are intelligent, well informed of world events, and they love people from the US. I cannot tell you how many times while walking down the street in Havana a Cuban would ask, "Where you from?" When they heard, "Los Estados Unidos," they would smile and say, "I love los Estados Unidos, invariably accompanied by the two-fingered peace/victory sign. asked several Cuban why they were not resentful of US citizens over the embargo that has made their lives so difficult all these years. They all said they knew it was between the US and Cuban governments, and not between the US and Cuban people. As I said, well informed, given the cencorship that prevails there. I can only say one negative thing about my trip: the food isn't that good. They have few spices with which to cook, and they tend to overcook everything. This negative is neutralized by the great rum one can drink with his/her dinner. Frankly, the best food I had was a fried pork, tomato, and onion sandwich that I bought from a vendor at the mercado where the Cubans buy their fruits and vegetables. Here is how good my trip was: halfway through the week I decided once was not enough and that I wanted to return. I also decided that even though I didn't need to speak Spanish to get along, I consider myself a traveler vs. a tourist, and I think a traveler should at least try to communicate in the native language. Hence the hard work I am putting into learning Spanish. I am booked for another trip there in December. This time I my license is permitting me to travel there by myself for the first three days to continue working on my photographs, and then meet up with the group that is coming later. I cannot wait! Let me know if my novellete here did not answer all of your questions. Dan
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

Thank you. Can't wait to hear more about your trip in December.
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Aurora - delighted to hear of the rekindling of your desire to read Spanish literature. That book you mention sounds interesting. I'd be interested in hearing how you liked it after reading all the stories (and, btw, for the songs I mentioned I always have the translation side by side with the lyrics to help me out...). Dan - I'm likewise looking forward to hearing about your trip. Don't forget to talk about the local cuisine...
Jill-D2

Jill-D2

Thank you so much for sharing all that detail. How did you initially find your People to People group? Was it just an Internet search, or did you connect through a friend or network?
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

Jill: ¡Da nada! I had heard about this guy who guided photography trips to Cuba but was initially hesitant to sign up because I didn't know how he operated. I have heard horror stories of photography guides who rigorously control every step of their trips to the point of telling people, "get off the bus here, take a picture of that building/waterfall/whatever over there, and get back on the bus. We leave in 5 minutes. I like the time and freedom to find my own pictures so I didn't want to sign up for that kind of trip, even if it was a way to get to Cuba! But I met another photographer at a conference who had been on one of Steve's trips to Cuba and was reassured that I would have plenty of time to work on my own. A Google search will reveal many P2P trips to Cuba. If you are interested in traveling there I would recommend looking for a trip that has something to do with your occupation or something that you are interested in. (to many places, not just Cuba)
maha266

maha266

Hola I used to know only one song and i keep listen to it over and over again I will listen to what you mention. thanks for sharing.
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Maha - I would start by picking one of these: "Eres Tu", "La Bamba" or "Guantanamera" You can get the lyrics as well as the translation by googling: Eres Tu lyrics translation (for example) Hope you enjoy.
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

Maha: and if you want an absolutely delightful exposure to some incredible Cuban musicians and a little insight on how Cubans express their love of life through music, go to You Tube and search for Playing for Change Guantanamera.
Cristian-Montes-de-Oca

Cristian-Montes-de-Oca

Hola amigos, You should listen to "Bésame mucho" (kiss me a lot). "Bésame mucho" is one of the most covered songs in the world, probably coming second to "Yesterday" from the Beatles. Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles themselves, Pedro Infante, Dean Martin, Andrea Bocelli, Luis Miguel , Placido Domingo , Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr, and Herb Alpert, have sung it. Other popular spanish songs are the followgin( You will notice they are pop, ranchera, rock, ballads, salsa and other rythims): "Te amo" (Franco de Vita) "Oye como va" (yeah, with Santana) "La incondicional" (Luis Miguel), "Afuera" (Caifanes) "La macarena" (Los del Río) "Ojos así" (Shakira) "El mariachi loco" (Mariachi Vargas) "La copa de la vida" (Ricky Martin) "Mi cuerpo pide salsa" (Gloria Estefan) "Como quien pierde una estrella" (Alejandro Fernandez) "Historia de un amor"-Various artists, (Los Panchos ,,Julio Iglesias, Pedro Infante and Luis Miguel) "Tu cárcel"(the original is with Los Bukis but also like the Enanitos Verdes version) "Tren al sur" (Los prisioneros) "Sentimientos" (Charlie Zaa) "De que manera te olvido" (Vicente Fernandez) "Camisa negra" (Juanes) "Con los años que me quedan (Gloria Esteffan) "Amor eterno"(Rocio Durcal) "Será" (Ricardo Montaner) "Guantanamera"(various artists) "Ingrata" (Cafe Tacuba) "El rey"(Jose Alfredo Jimenez), "Lamento boliviano" (Enanitos Verdes) "Las mañanitas"(Pedro Infante) "Persiana americana" (Soda Stereo) "Lo que no fue no será" (José José) "Luz de dia" (Enanitos verdes) "Amiga mia" (Alejandro Sanz) "De musica ligera" (Soda Stereo) "Por el amor de una mujer" (Julio Iglesias) "Manuela" (Julio Iglesias) "No podrás" (Cristian Castro) "Chica de humo" (Emanuel) "Rayando el sol" (Maná) "Provócame" (Chayanne) "Laura" (Nek) "Amar y querer" (Jose Jose ) "Secreto de amor" (Joan Sebastian) "Héroe de leyenda" (Heroes del silencio) "El día que me quieras" (Gardel or Luis Miguel) "Solo queda" (Jeannete). "Cielito lindo" (Various) "Fruta fresca" (Carlos Vives) "La vida es un carnaval (Celia Cruz) The list goes on!
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Fantastic, Cristian. I will check these out.
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

Did Nat King Cole only sang "Besame Mucho"? Did he sing other Spanish songs?
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

This list from Cristian is terrific. The mariachis are fun and the classics are beautiful. But the song "Te amo" (Franco de Vita) is absolutely gorgeous. The words display at the same time as the music which is really helpful as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95uWHwnBaOw
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

Gloria Estefan has a couple of albums in Spanish with some beautiful songs.
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Indeed. "Con los años que me quedan" is particularly nice as is the retro video clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6LjNOYvhMk
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

Steven: thanks for sharing that link. The video has just about everything I could want: Gloria Estefan's lovely voice, the black and white film noir look, the nice acoustic guitar work...I could smell the ocean and taste the rum just listening to it!
Cristian-Montes-de-Oca

Cristian-Montes-de-Oca

That is Gloria's (and Emilio, his husband)best masterpiece!. I love that song!. It's amazing that the song was released in 1993....21 years ago :O! ..."Con los años que me quedan por vivir, demostraré, cuanto te quiero" Enjoy!
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Delighted you enjoyed the video, Dan. Cristian - keep those titles coming! Thanks.
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Estefan Wonderful video! I did not realize how successful she is and a Cuban at that.
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

I believe that she and her husband Emilio are both refugees from Cuba, and have been outspoken critics of the Castro regime for years. In fact, I just read an article that she would like to perform in Cuba but is considered a "terrorist" there. Their personal story is nice too: happily married, music and business partners for 35 years.
Cristian-Montes-de-Oca

Cristian-Montes-de-Oca

Yes, Emilio had a latino band back in the day, and I think he met Gloria there, or something like that, and have been together ever since. About Cuba and Castro, well, mostly all of the cubans that left Cuba are seen as "traitors" to the regime. I was watching a documentary about how drugs (mainly cocaine) changed history (economy, popularity and status) in Miami and they talked about the "Mariel boatlift" when ,under Jimmy Carter's administration, Cubans became official refugees. The Cubans that left were seen as traitor by Fidel (and also, he got rid of a lot criminals from many jails in Cuba, and that was the main point discussed on the documentary) anyway! back to the main subject, Gloria still makes good music, but I like the old ones better. Here is my 2nd part of the list of popular songs in spanish (pop, rock, ballads, romantic, heartbreaking, happy and regional) "El triste" José José "Todo o nada" Luis Miguel "Vivir asi es morir de amor" Camilo Sesto "Si las flores pudieran hablar" Nelson Ned "No podrás" Cristian Castro "Clavado en un bar" Maná "Completamente enamorados" Chayanne "Daria lo que fuera" Juanes "A puro dolor" Song by 4 "Como la flor" Selena "Desnuda" Ricardo Arjona "Fria como el viento" Luis Miguel "Mi historia entre tus dedos" Gianluca Grignani "La puerta negra" Los Tigres del norte "Cuando calienta el sol" Luis Miguel "Bolero Falaz" Aterciopelados "Sexo , pudor y lagrimas" Alex Syntek "Reina de corazones" Alejandra Guzman "Corazon partio" Alejandro Sanz "Entre dos tierras" Heroes del Silencio "Hombre" Jose Maria Napoleón "Matador" Fabulosos Cadillacs "A gritos de esperanza" Alex Ubago "El me mintió" Amanda Miguel "La morena" Ilegales "Vuelve" Ricky Martin "La cosa mas bellas" Eros Ramazotti "Vuela" Magneto "En el ultimo lugar del mundo" Ricardo Montaner "Donde están" Sentidos Opuestos "En algún lugar" Dun Can Du "Te vi venir" Sin bandera "Penelope" Joan Manuel Serrat "Triste canción de amor" El Tri "Soñaré" La Oreja de Van Gogh "Daría cualquier cosa" Chayanne "Amor de mis amores" Margarita la Diosa de la Cumbia "La pachanga" Vilma Palma "Devuélveme a mi chica" Hombres G "Ojos así" Shakira "Todo se derrumbó" Emmanuel "El baile y el salón" Café Tacuba "Tres regalos" Los Panchos "Y las mariposas" Joan Sebastian "Vasos vacíos" Los Fabulosos Cadillacs "Mañana" Cristian Castro "Si nos dejan" Luis MIguel "Frente a frente" Jeannette "Nada" Zoe "Que gusto de volverte a ver" Rigo Tovar "Ni tu ni nadie" Fey "Eres" Café Tacuba "Cuando" Ricardo Arjona "Flaca" Andres Calamaro "Fuego en el fuego" Eros Ramazotti "Entre tu y mil mares" Laura Pausini "Amor a la mexicana" Thalia "Quien diría" Ricardo Arjona "Quien iba a pensar" Lucero "Depende" Jarabe de palo "Nada personal" Armando Manzanero "Otro día mas sin verte" Jon Secada "20 de abril" Celtas Cortos "A contratiempo" - Ana Torroja "Lo noto" Andres Calamaro "Imaginame sin ti" Luis Fonsi "Noviembre sin ti" Reik "Lo que un dia fue no será" José José "Manto estelar" Moenia "Amores lejanos" Enanitos Verdes "Vivo por ella" Andrea Bocelli y Marta Sanchez Enjoy!
Dan-H24

Dan-H24

Please don't misunderstand me: I love my country and our form of government. Despite our flaws I would not choose to live anywhere else in the world. And although I hate how Fidel has oppressed his people, I have always admired his tenacity. If my count is right, he outlasted the 8 US Presidents who continued the economic embargo put in place by the Kennedy administration in the 1960's, and has outlived most of them. He seemed to relish poking a stick at us, such as when he outmaneuvered Carter in the Mariel boatlift to empty his jails of undesirables. And frankly, I had to laugh when he offered to send doctors and nurses to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He would have followed through and the people of New Orleans would have benefited from their presence if Bush II had the humility to accept. I have a friend who escaped Cuba during the boatlift. She told me she first went to Guantanamo Bay, and from there to Miami. She ended up here in Roanoke, where she was able to start a food truck business offering "Comida Cubana." Later she and her husband parleyed their food truck into a small restaurant that serves authentic, healthy, and delicious Cuban food. In my opinion, Estela and Manuel epitomize the "American Dream" that has made this country the great place that it is. They came here with nothing, worked hard, and added their own, unique thread to the tapestry that is the United States of America. In December I will be returning to Havana, coincidentally at the same time that Manuel and Estela will be visiting his family there. I am so excited, and so honored, that I will be able to meet and talk with them and their Cuban family. Dan
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Many thanks, Cristian. It will take me awhile to work my way through this list but I will get back to you. "Con el viento a tu favor" - indeed, those mandolins in the background really make this song.
Cristian-Montes-de-Oca

Cristian-Montes-de-Oca

Hi Steve, I am glad you liked the songs! AURORA!!! I missed your question. Nat King Cole released an album called "Cole Español" that was recorded in Mexico and Cuba. He had a beautiful voice and performed popular songs as "Las mañanitas", "Quizás, quizás, quizás" (One of my favorite trio songs),"Perfidia", "El bodeguero" and many more. Besides the songs included on that album he sang other songs in spanish, "A media luz", "Piel canela" and"Solamente una vez". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SiZ1RRZ6r4 Saludos!
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

I wish I get points for working on these Spanish songs. It takes me a while to learn one song. Not only do I need to understand what every word means but also the music that goes with it. It should be at least 100 points per song. I am in Taipei airport and everything here is in Chinese. Very difficult to find someone who can speak English or Spanish.
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

I was talking to a 17 year old boy who could only speak in Japanese. Somehow I found out that he was on his way back to. Japan. He just finished visiting his Dad in Arizona who happened to be from Brazil and can speak English, Spanish, Japanese and. Portuguese. I was in Okinawa in the late 60's and I remembered a few words in Japanese. What was interesting was I also started speaking in Spanish when I was getting desperate to make myself understood. I realize that my Spanish is not as elementary as I thought. I actually learned a lot this last few months.
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Hi Cristian, I have gone through the "best of the 70s, 80s, ..." and your list is definitely better than those by a long shot. I would say that Marta Sánchez is my favorite singer so far (though my favorite song to date is "Te Amo"). I already knew "Colgando en tus manos", but now I've got "Vivo por ella", "Algo Así Quiero Yo" (Enredados / Tangled - fun video too) as well as three or four other terrific songs as well. Gracias! Steven
Ava Dawn

Ava Dawn

Steven, thanks for sharing your favorite songs. It makes it easier which song to learn next..
Steven-W15

Steven-W15

Hope you enjoy, Aurora. Do check out the two Disney songs I posted - the videos are really well done.

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