In addition to its gastronomy and its incredible historical heritage, Mexico is also known for its mariachi songs . Using string instruments (especially guitars, violins and guitarrons for the lowest notes) and wind instruments (such as trumpets and clarinets in the most modern versions), these songs have been exported to the rest of the globe and represent one of the best signs of identity from the country.
- You can also read: The 10 best typical dances of Latin America.
The 12 most famous mariachi songs
We review some of the most beautiful and well-known rancheras that have made Mexican culture imperishable. 12. Malaguena salerosa (Pedro Galindo Galarza and Elpidio Ramirez)
Malaguena salerosa is the story of unrequited love, a typical theme in the genre, dedicated to a woman from Malaga (Spain), whose lover describes her beautiful features and tells us tells how the impassivity of the lady is killing him little by little .
Originally composed by Pedro Galindo and Elpidio Ramirez in 1947, Malaguena salerosa is one of the most frequently covered mariachi songs, sinceartists of recognized international prestige (Los Panchos, Joselito, Luis Miguel or Placido Domingo, among others), have performed it at some time in their concerts and compilation albums. Even the heavy-metal group Avenged Sevenfold dared to give their personal touch to this ballad, which is also part of the soundtrack of Kill Bill: Volume 2. 11. La Adelita (Pepe Aguilar)
This acclaimed song is about a guerrilla that is part of an armed group of the Revolution . This woman is so well known for her value among the rest of her companions, that even those of higher rank would be able to leave everything to follow her wherever she went.La Adelita is an ode dedicated to those women without military training who joined the ranks of the militia during the Revolution at the beginning of the 20th century. Let’s play with the portentous voice of Pepe Aguilar versioning this anthem with denomination of origin. 10. The King (Jose Alfredo Jimenez)
“I have no throne or queen, nor anyone who understands me, but I’m still the king”, does it ring a bell?
Probably yes, since it is the verse of one of the most emblematic songs from all over Mexico.
This tune was written and sung by Jose Alfredo Jimenez (1926-1973) as a dedication to another great singer, Alicia Juarez (1949-2017); and alludes to the experiences of a man throughout his life,someone who has acted at pleasure and who does not answer to anyone because he has spent much of his time alone . 9. Mexico Lindo y Dear (Jorge Negrete)
Popularized by the singer-songwriter turned actor Jorge Negrete (1911-1953), Mexico Lindo y Dear is part of the repertoire of mariachi songs that best extol pride and patriotic sentiment ; a song that professes devotion to the land, a place where the singer asks to be buried when he dies. 8. Back, back (Vicente Fernandez)
Wrongly attributed to Vicente Fernandez, the truth is that the composition of this beautiful piece was carried out by another distinguished ranchera singer: Fernando Z. Maldonado (1917-1996).
Like many others within the genre, Back, Back is a lament sung from the heart to recover the lost love of a lady , in whose arms the unfortunate longs for exactly what the title says: “back.” 7. Guadalajara (Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan)
Different generations that have been part of this group of musicians have been playing since its formation (at the end of the 19th century) some of the most famous Mexican songs of the Mexican tradition. Among the most common is Guadalajara, a tribute to the capital city of the state of Jalisco , a symbol of national identity. 6. Good luck to you (Chavela Vargas)
Going against the tide, as had been his style,the indomitable Chavela Vargas took a guitar and her hoarse voice, to fill with melancholy one of the most memorable rancheras .
With the feeling that she always put into her tunes, almost as if she were submerged in inconsolable tears, Chavela wishes luck to that loved one who has left; But she does it with a broken heart for her loss , because she says goodbye knowing that her love still lasts and that there are still things that she would like to do. 5. Besame mucho (Consuelito Vazquez)
Consuelo Vazquez wrote and sang the imperishable Besame mucho, surely her best-known work, in which she asks her lover to kiss her without stopping, because she doesn’t know how long they’ll be able to keep doing it if one day they separate.This tune became known quickly throughout the last century, both inside and outside the territory , especially as it was covered by internationally renowned artists such as the Beatles; and it is that no one resists paying tribute to one of the great voices of Mexican song, no matter how long it has been since her death. 4. Las mananitas (Pedro Infante)
Whether at weddings, baptisms, communions, birthdays and even saints, you can’t miss the often-heard Las mananitas. This piece, written in 1914 by Manuel M. Ponce, has been integrated as few others have been in the DNA of Hispanic-American popular culture and has crossed the borders of Mexico, so it is not uncommon to hear it in other neighboring countries.3. La Bamba (Anonymous)
They used to say that “to dance La Bamba you need a little grace”, although not all of us are clear about how to do that. This song with a happy rhythm and a catchy chorus is about the love of a captain towards her beloved, who promises that he will do whatever it takes for her if he wins her heart that way . 2. La Cucaracha (Anonymous)
Much has been speculated about who is behind La Cucaracha, but it is believed that it dates from the time of the conflict of the taking of Granada (late XV century) and that it is a reference to the expulsion of the Moors of the Alhambra. However, it seems that this triumphant song gained special prestige among the ranks of Pancho Villa during the years of the Revolution., when the soldiers modified some of the verses so that they had a burlesque tone towards the enemy, Victoriano Huerta.
Thanks to its chorus, La cucaracha is one of the songs that can be heard anywhere in the world and that makes everyone sing it in unison. 1. Cielito Lindo (various artists)
This beautiful couplet, which has been performed by many of the great voices of Mexican music, tells of a beautiful lady, with enormous brown eyes, who walks down the mountain . The lyrics continue, telling us that although the love of the young woman is not reciprocated, there will always be something that will gladden her most heavy hearts: singing.
Although not officiallyCielito Lindo is, of all the songs of the Mexican culture, the one that most identifies with the country . That “oh, oh, oh, sing and don’t cry” can be heard during the World Cup or at the Olympics, sung by Mexicans in honor of their land and even by anyone from outside, because we are probably facing the most popular song in Spanish. known until the arrival of Despacito.
- You can also read: 20 mythical songs that you know by heart.
