Spanish pop music or simply “pop”, dates back to the late 1950s and since that point it has seen numerous transformations into different musical forms.
Natalia Lafourcade’s song brings together the soothing vallenato riffs with her signature alt-pop sound to craft this timeless pop classic that captures the sense of maturity that comes from exploring one’s roots.
2. El Perdon (Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias)
El Perdon (or Forgiveness in English), written and recorded by Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias in 2015 and quickly made waves upon release, it has quickly become one of their signature songs and made Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart history for 30 weeks in a row – an unprecedented record!
The original music video for Longing was shot in Medellin, Colombia and features two singers auditioning for roles in a theater production – quite contrary to its lyrics about longing and forgiveness.
3. Tal Vez (Ricky Martin)
Tal Vez is a ballad that explores the complex emotions associated with a relationship that may have come to an end. The narrator expresses their worry that their love story has ended, as their partner seems distant and disengaged from them despite attempts at fixing things; their once shared love may have dissipated over time.
It is also a song about second chances and being open and honest with one another. Throughout, the narrator expresses their willingness to try again, holding onto hope as they search for new beginnings with their partner. At one point in the bridge section of this song, the narrator admits their shortcomings within the relationship; admitting they may have given everything that their partner needed from them.
This song became a commercial success, topping charts in Argentina, Chile, Central America and Mexico while spending ten weeks as the number-one track on Billboard’s Latin Tracks and Latin Pop Airplay charts in the US. Additionally, it earned nominations for Latin Grammy Awards Song of the Year as well as awards at 4th Annual Latin Billboard Music Awards 2004 for Hot Latin Song of the Year Male as well as Latin Pop Airplay Track of Year Male awards.
Written and produced by Venezuelan singer-songwriter Franco De Vita and Puerto Rican musician Tommy Torres, “Tommy Torres’ Song” was released as the lead single from Martin’s seventh studio album Almas del Silencio on March 25, 2003 as the lead single. Kacho Lopez and Carlos Perez directed its accompanying music video filmed in La Boca.
4. Despacito (Florida Georgia Line)
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” featuring Justin Bieber made waves in 2017. It became the most streamed song ever with over 4.6 billion global streams; surpassing Justin Bieber himself who previously held this record for his song, “Sorry”, with 4.38 billion global streams to date.
Their collaboration made history on the all-format Radio Songs chart by climbing 2-1 and becoming the first predominantly Spanish-language leader since Los Del Rio’s 1996 hit “Macarena”, which spent two weeks at #1 thanks to an English remix version. Furthermore, it dominated both Rhythmic Songs chart for 10 weeks as well as Hot Latin Songs and Songs of Summer charts simultaneously.
Florida Georgia Line played to a packed house at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre for their Smooth Tour performance on Friday night, including their performance of Despacito which received loud cheers from audience members and performers alike.