GuacaMusic: Viva Mexico!

posted in: Features • Latin

Happy Independence Day!

Contrary to popular belief, Mexicans DO NOT celebrate their independence on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), but rather on September 16th. In fact, los mexicanos designate September as the Mes de la Patria, which means Patriotic Month or Month of the Nation.

During this Mes de la Patria, houses, buildings and cars are decorated with patriotic ornaments. Vendors sell Mexican flags and balloons in every corner, and restaurants serve traditional dishes such as chilaquiles, chiles rellenos and mole.

Each year, on the night of September 15th, the Mexican president rings the bell of the National Palace in Mexico City and repeats the Grito de Dolores, a cry of patriotism that ends with a long and loud Viva Mexico!

This year, Mexico is commemorating 200 years of independence, so we decided that it was the perfect time to celebrate something else: Mexican music.

It would be impossible to discuss everything there is about Mexican music in a single post. La música Mexicana is so exquisite and diverse that we could dedicate a whole blog to it, and even that may not be enough. Therefore, we decided to honor Mexico’s bicentennial celebration with a list of the best Mexican songs of all time:

  • “Cielito Lindo“. Who doesn’t know the lyrics to the characteristic Ay ay ay ay, canta y no llores? This popular Ranchera, written by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés in 1882 has been played by numerous artists, including Enrique Iglesias and Pavarotti.
  • “La Bamba“. There are restaurants, games and even snacks named after this highly popular folk song from Veracruz, Mexico. To dance it, all you need is una poca de gracia (a little bit of humor).
  • “Mexico Lindo y Querido“. Ask any Mexican living abroad to name the song they play when feeling homesick or patriotic (or both) and most will say Mexico Lindo, a mariachi song written by Chucho Monge.
  • “La Cucaracha“. Even children know the words to this corrido about a cockroach who does not want to walk.
  • “El Rey“. If you are curious about what Mexicans sing at weddings, cantinas and even high class bars, listen to “El Rey“ by Jose Alfredo Jimenez, a singer-songwriter who is considered an integral element of Mexico’s musical heritage. Play this songs and you will see why Jose Alfredo sigue siendo el Rey (remains the king).
  • “Maria Bonita“. This is a song about Mexican actress Marí­a Félix (also known as La Doña), one of the icons of the golden era of the Cinema of Mexico. Famous songwriter Agustí­n Lara wrote many songs for her, among them the well-known Marí­a Bonita.
  • “Somos Novios.” Every romantic knows this beautiful and inspiring bolero by Mexican composer Armando Manzanero. The song was translated into English by Sid Wayne and has been recorded by many artists, including Elvis Presley and Perry Como.

Each of these songs represents something about Mexican culture. Each has a history and a future. Play these songs, learn these songs, savor these songs and get ready to roar Viva Mexico!

Artistas Latinos: We invite you to upload your best original song in the Intel Latin “Superstars” Competition. The Top 5 artists will receive prize packages including personal computers based on Intel® Coreâ„¢ Processor technology with Cakewalk music software. ¡Suerte!