Growing up in a Spanish household, there was always one thing that was a constant in my life: music. As far back as I can remember, there was always music playing in the background of my home. As my mom cooked dinner, she would have Marc Anthony playing in the background, she is what we call a salsera (a person who loves to dance salsa). When we took road trips, my dad would have Elvis Crespo blasting in the car. When we attended a wedding or baptism, there was always an expectation that people should always be on the dance floor, even while the food was being served.

Spanish music is such an important part of the culture, that anyone who doesn’t dance is considered a pariah. Whenever we would visit my family in Ecuador, my poor brother would be the butt of all the jokes, as he never wanted to learn to dance (everyone tried to teach him, it just never stuck). Unlike my brother, I enjoyed dancing, it was a form of expression that I always appreciated. I loved dancing so much that I begged my parents to enroll me in a dance school. They did look into it, but being immigrants, they couldn’t afford it. Nevertheless, they did try to make up for it by teaching me themselves. Boy, did I love every minute of it. As a child of divorce, the only fond memories I have of my father are of him teaching me how to dance to salsa and merengue.

As kids become teenagers, they succumb to peer pressure, begin rejecting their backgrounds and seek out the popular culture that their friends are embracing. As I got older, even though I didn’t have many Latin friends, I never lost my appreciation for salsa and merengue. I craved for more Spanish music. As technology started evolving, and personal music devices advanced, there was always a salsa or merengue playlist on it. There were just some songs that stuck with me over decades that were a necessary staple on my iPods. Most of the songs I will be listing out will be salsa or merengue, but there are a few staples that need to be mentioned that do not fall under this genre.

Selena- Como La Flor 

Speaking frankly, no Latin playlist is complete without Selena. It is disrespectful to her memory to claim that you have an appreciation to Latin music and not have one of her many hits on your playlist. Selena is still known as the Queen of Tejano Music and her songs of love and flirting are still widely listened to despite her passing over 15 years ago. Most of her songs fall under the genre of Cumbia, but she was an important part of both American and Hispanic culture, that it is important for a Hispanic American, like myself, to include her in your playlist. Additionally, Como La Flor is Selena’s first song to hit Platinum, this is a must have on your Latin playlist because of its beautiful analogy. Selena’s song compares a withered flower to a lost love, and it is beautifully written. Any person who has loved and lost can appreciate the romantic language and analogy, which makes it a Latin playlist must have!

Marc Anthony- Vivir Mi Vida 

Marc Anthony is known as the King of Salsa, and his musical crown is appropriately given. While I have been exposed to many different salsa artists, none sticks out like Marc Anthony. My grandmother used to say, “Marc Anthony sure is ugly, but he has the voice of an angel.” I laughed every time I heard her say this, but she was right, his beauty comes from his voice and lyrics, which is exactly what I fell in love with. I could listen to all his albums on repeat and never get tired of listening to them (his looks did not matter to me). Vivir Mi Vida is unique because it’s not about love, but life. This song’s message is simple, go out there and live your life, and don’t let the bad times interfere with it. Marc Anthony does a good job of making his song and message lighthearted, catchy, and danceable. This is a must have on a Latinx’s playlist because it is important to remember that you need to enjoy and live life no matter how difficult it can get.

Elvis Crespo- Suavemente

Suavemente is a song that everyone that has heard of and danced to, which makes is a necessary staple to your Latin playlist. Whenever you attend a Latin party, it is a guarantee that you will be listening to Suavemente. I remember for my Quinceañera, I specifically requested the DJ play this song because it was a song that both my American and Hispanic friends could dance to. This merengue hit went Platinum in 1998 and persists as one of the most listened to songs in Latin culture. The reason I believe this song is so popular is because of its easy danceability. When it comes to Hispanic parties, you always want your guests dancing, which is probably why you always hear Suavemente at them.

Celia Cruz- La Vida es Un Carnaval

If you grew up watching Telemundo like me, you know of the dancing woman who would sing “Azucar!” You loved her because her simple “Azucar” sent a message to enjoy the sweeter things in life. Celia Cruz is an artist that is from an older generation, but nevertheless important. She was known as the Queen of Salsa or Latin Music and made a huge impact on Spanish culture. She inspired modern day artists like Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Marc Anthony had many tributes to her in his music and when receiving awards. For example, in his song Valio La Pena, he references Celia in a lighthearted manner, he says: “Como dice Celia/ My English is not very good looking.” I also imagine that Marc Anthony’s song, Vivir Mi Vida was inspired by La Vida es un Carnaval. Celia’s song is about how it is important to live like it’s a carnival and not dwell on the bad things that happen in life. At the end she also makes sure to denounce things war and weapons. She was an important force that wanted to make a change in the world. No matter what, Celia reminds you to enjoy life, no matter what is thrown at you, which is why she is a necessary addition to any Latin playlist.

Son By Four- A Puro Dolor 

Son by Four is more of an unknown band, which is a rarity to begin with, as most Spanish artists prefer solo careers. Son by Four’s most popular song is, A Puro Dolor, which has several different versions, including a ballad and another in salsa. This song is a must have on my playlist less for the artists and more the memories that I have attached to it. This was a song that my father always played when we drove somewhere. After he left, it still stuck around in a good way. This is my brother’s favorite salsa song, which says a lot since he doesn’t listen to older Spanish music the way I do. Whenever my mom, brother and I are spending time together, we always put it on so we can sing it together. On a more objective level, the song speaks on rejection in a pretty and melancholic way. Since the theme is so accessible, because rejection is something that everyone has experienced, it’s probably the reason why it is such a popular song in the Latin community.

Luis Enrique- Yo No Se Manana 

Luis Enrique is known as the Prince of Salsa and received widespread recognition with Yo No Se Manana. Luis Enrique is best known for romantic salsa. I have listened to Yo No Se Manana many times over the course of my life, and while it is subtle, I believe he is speaking on a one-time romantic encounter. He sings how he doesn’t want to promise anything for tomorrow, because we don’t know what will happen. Maybe they will love or hate one another, who knows? The point is that they need to enjoy and live in the moment (which is what most of the song is about). This song will always make it onto my playlist because like Marc Anthony’s Vivir Mi Vida and Celia Cruz’s La Vida es un Carnaval, it speaks on life. Luis Enrique is right, we have no idea what will happen tomorrow, and people can relate. His romantic analogies of life being like an unwritten book (meaning we haven’t made decisions) and a roulette (taking chance) are quite stirring.

While I did my best to create a playlist this encapsulates both my childhood and the Latinx culture, it only scratches the surface. does not truly cover everything. Speaking honestly, I struggled with cutting down my playlist that has persisted over the years.There are many other artists that I wished I could’ve included in this list, such as, Jennifer Lopez, Johnny Rivera, Jerry Rivera, and Enrique Iglesias. However, when it came down to it, I wanted to keep my list of the songs I have had over the course of most of my life.

I am a stubborn person, and I acknowledge that my 90’s soul has kept me from listening to more modern Spanish (and English) music. However, for the Latinx community (not just myself), all these songs mean something to us. They are a part of our culture, overall being and have had an important impact on our lives. Simply put, these songs are a part of us.