23 Most Famous Mexican Songs Of All Time - Lets Travel To Mexico (2024)

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What are the most famous Mexican songs? Read on to learn about them.

Music flows throughout the country from the bustling streets of Mexico City to the most serene rural towns.

Mexican music celebrates its cultural richness and diversity through its songs’ music and lyrics.

Here is a list of the 23 most famous Mexican songs of all time, some of which have been the soundtrack of my life as a Mexican.

Some have transcended over decades, regardless of age and generation gaps.

Many of them are played in celebrations and weddings up until today, even though some of them were written almost a century ago, others are much more recent.

Famous Mexican Songs

🎶 Traditional Mexican Songs

1. La Bamba – Ritchie Valens

La Bamba is a classic Mexican folk song that gained international recognition after Ritchie Valens’ rock and roll version in 1958.

The catchy rhythm, rooted in Veracruz-type “sones”, tells the story of a young man learning to dance to “La Bamba”.

It is one of the most famous Mexican dance songs to this day and also one of the most famous Mexican songs in America.

2. Cielito Lindo – Various Artists

“Cielito Lindo” is a traditional Mexican song that echoes deeply with Mexicans in Mexico and all over the world. It was composed by Quirino Mendoza in 1882, presumably for his wife Catalina.

The optimism it inspires and the rhythm has made it an unofficial anthem of unity and national identity for Mexicans everywhere.

3. El Rey – Vicente Fernandez

This mariachi song, written by Jose Alfredo Jimenez in 1950, has been performed by numerous artists since then, most recently Vicente Fernandez.

It is one of the many Mexican trumpet songs famous for their intensity.

“El Rey” is about a man who brags about being a respected and admired king in his own way, despite not having any material wealth.

This song pretty much captures the essence of Mexican masculinity and pride.

4. Mexico Lindo y Querido – Jorge Negrete

Word has it that Chucho Monge composed this famous Mexican ranchera song in 1921 when he was only 11 years old.

However, it got into the spotlight in 1945 when it was interpreted by Jorge Negrete, a Mexican idol.

“Mexico Lindo y Querido” is a heartfelt homage that expresses love for Mexio´s culture, natural beauty, and tradition.

It is a sort of sentimental anthem, especially for Mexicans living abroad.

A particular paragraph makes every Mexican away from home teary-eyed: “Mexico lindo y querido, si muero lejos de ti, que digan que estoy dormido, y que me traigan aquí”. It translates to “Mexico pretty and dear, if I die away from you, let them say I’m asleep and have them bring me here”.

🎶 Mariachi Classics

5. Volver, Volver – Vicente Fernandez

“Volver Volver”, which translates into “To return, return” is an intense ranchera song that expresses the pain of lost love and a deep desire to return to the loved one’s arms.

Sung passionately by Vicente Fernandez and others, it resounds with many people with broken hearts.

6. Copa de Vino – Luis Miguel

“Copa de Vino” is a famous mariachi song that tells the story of a man who finds solace in a class of wine while going through heartbreak.

The sense of longing and resignation its melody and lyrics evoke is a common theme in many Mexican songs.

Although it was made famous by Vicente Fernandez, Luis Miguel made a more than decent version in his compilation of mariachi songs.

7. La Bikina – Luis Miguel

A song that is present in most mariachi concerts and serenades, “La Bikina” has a catchy and playful rhythm.

Its lyrics describe the physical beauty and charm of a woman known as “La Bikina, who is very proud and haughty despite having suffered pain and sorrow.

This is another song that Luis Miguel recorded in his mariachi collection in 2004, which renovated the liking for this type of music with newer generations.

The original version was written by Ruben Fuentes in 1964.

🎶 Mexican Folk Songs

8. La Cucaracha

“La Cucaracha” is a traditional folk song with a catchy tune that narrates the story of a co*ckroach unable to walk because it does not have any more marijuana to smoke.

It has been passed down through generations, despite its unconventional lyrics.

9. La Llorona

A hauntingly beautiful Mexican song that was inspired by the legend of “La Llorona”.

“La Llorona”, which translates to “The Weeping Woman”, has also inspired many horror tales describing a weeping lady ghost that appears in dark streets and alleys.

10. Las Cuatro Milpas – Antonio Aguilar

“Las Cuatro Milpas” is a classic song about a man crying for his lost cornfields and his once white house being in ruins, presumably after a woman left him and he abandoned the premises.

11. El Son de la Negra – Mariachi Vargas de Tecatitlan

This lively and catchy song is known for its vibrant melody that invites people to dance. It is rooted in the mariachi tradition of the state of Jalisco

It was made famous by the famed and respected Mariachi Vargas de Tecatitlan band and has now become a staple in mariachi concerts and serenades.

🎶 Mexican Romantic Ballads

12. Bésame Mucho – Various Artists

A timeless romantic ballad that is said to be the most famous Mexican song in the world, “Besame Mucho” was first interpreted by Consuelo Velazquez.

Its soothing romantic lyrics express the yearning to be kissed and loved eternally.

13. Somos Novios – Armando Manzanero

A touching love song that celebrates the joy and commitment of romantic relationships, “Somos Novios” was composed and sung by Yucatan artist Armando Manzanero.

14. Adíos Amor – Christian Nodal

Composed by Salvador Garza and first recorded by the Sinaloa band Los Dareyes de la Sierra in 2008, “Adios Amor” was later interpreted by Nodal, a young singer.

It is a sentimental ballad with a melancholic melody about the pain of saying goodbye to one´s love and the sorrow of parting ways.

15. Historia de un Amor – Carlos Eleta Almaran

“Historia de Un Amor” is a soulful and heartfelt song about a lost love. Its sorrowful lyrics and melody were written by Panamanian composer Carlos Eleta Almaran (Dartañan) for his heartbroken brother.

“Historia de Amor” became a hit that has been interpreted by a variety of artists in several countries.

Los Panchos, Luho Gatica, Maria Dolores Pradera, and Luis Miguel included it in their recordings, while iconic Argentinian musician Hector Varela turned it into a tango.

16. La Incondicional – Luis Miguel

One of Luis Miguel’s greatest hits, “La Incondicional” is about love and unconditional devotion from a female friend to the singer, who confesses to being unable to love her back in a romantic way.

It was launched in 1989, contributing greatly to the former child singer jumping into a new era of Mexican pop songs at the age of 19.

It recently became popular again among Mexican women on TikTok who say you should never be a man’s “ la indondicional”.

🎶 Mexican Contemporary and Pop Rock

17. Comprendes, Mendes? – Control Machete

“Comprendes Mendez” is a song by Mexican band Control Machete, famous for their fusion of rap, hip-hop, and Latin rhythms.

It’s an intense track with sharp lyrics that explore social issues and hard realities.

18. Como la Flor – Selena

This is one of the most famous songs by the late Selena Quintanilla, a beloved Tex-Mex singer who was murdered by her assistant Yolanda Saldivar.

Even three decades after her voice was brutally silenced, Selena’s music catchy and sensuous music gained her pieces a place among the most popular Mexican party songs, having become an icon on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

19. Kumbala – Maldita Vicendad

“Kumbala” by Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio is a mellow, somewhat sensuous song that merges soft rock, ballad, and traditional Mexican sounds.

It is also one of the most recent famous Mexican guitar songs.

This famous band from the 1980s is famous for its fusion of rock, ska, reggae, and punk, with touches of Mexican rhythms such as Danzon and Bolero.

They became a cornerstone in Mexican rock and a symbol of youth rebellious culture in the 1980s.

20. Si Te Vas – Pedro Fernandez

Written and performed by Mexican singer and songwriter Pedro Fernandez in 1995, “Si te Vas” has sentimental and somewhat proud lyrics that immediately resounded with young audiences and made it a cherished piece in the realms of romantic music.

Contrary to many Mexican songs that plead the loved one to stay or come back, “Si te vas” reflects a somewhat proud resignation and the confidence that he or she will be back someday, maybe when it is too late.

21. Querida – Juan Gabriel

“Querida” by Juan Gabriel is a heartfelt song that expresses deep love and loneliness because of the loved one’s absence and asks repeatedly when she will come back.

The sincere, sorrowful words are accompanied by a catchy rhythm, which contributed to making it a timeless favorite among fans of the late Juan Gabriel in Mexico and Latin America, which can be counted by the millions.

22. Oye Mi Amor – Maná

Mexican rock band from the 1980s Maná is famous for its upbeat melodies and catchy tunes that fuse rock, ballads, and Latin rhythms.

“Oye Mi Amor” is one of the most famous songs from their hit 1992 album “Where Will the Children Play”, which is still listened to over three decades later.

23. Arriba – Natanael Cano

“Arriba” belongs to the somewhat new gender Corridos Tumbados that emerged with very young exponents only a few years ago.

Their lyrics are belligerent and subversive, fusing corrido rhythms with trap, and hip. hop. and even reggaeton.

Arriba is about being high, both in the optimistic sense and the drug connotation.

Different Mexican Music Styles

Mexicans love music, and we don’t limit ourselves regarding styles.

Even though most people naturally have some preferences, several genres are liked by most.

Let’s explore those genres that have produced the most famous Mexican songs.

👉🏽 Mariachi

Mariachi music is probably the most acclaimed and recognized Mexican music genre in the world, in terms of culture and traditions.

Many world-famous Mexican songs mariachi-style have been played at parties and events in all the continents.

This vibrant and lively genre originated in Mexico and is characterized by the use of trumpets, guitars, violins, and sometimes cello and vihuela.

👉🏽 Mexican Folk and Indigenous Music

Mexican folk music is the cornerstone of the country’s musical heritage.

Rooted deeply in indigenous rural traditions and influenced by Spanish colonialism, it showcases a wide array of regional variations.

One important example of folk music regional variation is mariachi music which originated in Jalisco and and other nearby states, characterized by the use of trumpets, violins, and guitars, as well as the charro attire.

Son Jarocho from the state of Veracruz is another regional folk variation famous for its lively rhythm produced by guitars, jaranas, and harps.

One of the most famous Mexican folk songs known worldwide is “La Bamba”, which gained international fame thanks to Ricchie Valens’ rock and roll interpretation.

👉🏽 Ranchera

Ranchera music holds a special place in the heart of Mexicans, usually portraying national pride, but also tales of love and heartbreak.

This genre emerged in the late 19th century in the Mexican countryside to reflect the struggles and joys of rural life.

Ranchera music is characterized by its passionate lyrics and intensity, which many times are accompanied by the sounds of a mariachi ensemble, or at the very least a guitar.

Ranchera songs have been passed from generation to generation, always drawing audiences of all ages that know the lyrics of famous songs such as “El Rey” and “Cien Años” by heart.

Some famous ranchera artists of all time like Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, and Javier Solís have transcended even after their death, while live singers like Pepe Aguilar mix their songs with their own in their concerts up until today.

Although male artists have predominated in the ranchera genre, female singer Lucha Reyes managed to enter that world and jumped into international fame because of her deep, scratchy voice, opening the door for other female ranchera singers like Lola Beltrán, and Lucha Villa.

👉🏽 Corridos

Corridos are narrative-driven songs that tell tales of heroism, love, social issues, love for the homeland, and historical events.

They emerged during the Mexican Revolution, serving as a musical chronicle of the struggles and heroes, both famous and anonymous.

One of the most famous corridos from that period is “La Adelita”, which brought into the spotlight the important role women were playing both in battle and as emotional and physical supporters of the brave citizens who were fighting against a much stronger army.

In later years, corridos started telling stories about ranch life, horses, love, heartache, and other themes.

Los Tigres del Norte and other bands have used them to highlight social problems that affect Mexican society, especially the lower classes.

Today, a very young generation has embraced corrido characteristics to create a new wave called Corridos Tumbados, which are pretty subversive and rebellious, often telling tales of struggles and social demands.

Corridos recently became popular around the world after Peso Pluma’s huge hit, “Ella Baila Sola”, which became #1 most played in the United States and other non-Spanish speaking countries in early 2023.

👉🏽 Mexican Ballads

Mexican ballads are also narratives that tell stories, mostly about love, heartbreak, and sorrow.

However, some ballads are more optimistic, relating tales of youth, parties, growing up, and dreams.

Contemporary ballad exponents include Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, and Thalia, marking a big difference from classic ballad singers like Consuelo Velazquez, who managed to become world-famous when there was a lot less technology for voice modulation and marketing.

👉🏽 Banda

Banda music emerged in the north of Mexico, drawing influences from traditional bass bands.

Its upbeat pulsating rhythms and upbeat tempo include trumpets, trombones, clarinets, and percussion instruments that together create a lively and very contagious sound.

Banda groups like Banda el Recondo, La Arrolladora Banda el Limón, and Banda MS have propelled this genre to global recognition.

Banda music is often played and danced to in popular celebrations and parties all over the country.

👉🏽 Contemporary Mexican Music

Mexican contemporary music is a melting pot of styles and influences, blending traditional elements with modern sounds.

This results in a fascinating tapestry that reflects a diverse and evolving cultural landscape.

From the vibrant rhythms of mariachis and reggaeton to the fusion of traditional and modern sounds, Mexican artists continue to push boundaries and experiment with different styles.

This fusion has given rise to a new wave of Mexican musicians who maintain Mexican rhythms and instruments while embracing global trends.

Mexican artists explore diverse genres, showcasing a fusion of indigenous, European, and Latin tempos while mixing electronic and acoustic instrumentation that contributes to a dynamic musical scene that is echoed both locally and internationally.

Acts like Cafe Tacvba, Natalia Lafourcade, Molotov, Luis Miguel, Flor Silvestre, Alejandra Guzman, and Peso Pluma represent the vast diversity within Mexican contemporary music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Famous Mexican Songs

Mexican songs speak of love, heartbreak, and nostalgia, but also of happiness, national pride, and joy of life, inviting anyone who listens to sing and sometimes to dance too.