

#Who is the girl in the bailando song movie#
Chan Chan was written by Compay Segundo, and it rode the rediscovered wave of love for Cuban music that made its way around the world in the 90s, when a newly-recorded version of the song was popularised in a certain movie about the Cuban music scene. The best Cuban songs are not to be found amongst its cheesy pop output, and yet one of the most internationally known Cuban songs was recorded in 1987.

What comes to mind when you think of 80s songs? It’s probably laughably bad hair and an overreliance on synthesisers. Born in 1919, it would be surprising if Moré was still with us, but there’s an element of sadness to his music when you learn that he died from issues related to alcoholism at the age of just 43. We’ve gone with Mata Siguaraya, one of his more boisterous numbers. Any list of the best Cuban songs will need to include something from Moré. Moré was a truly phenomenal performer, who went from performing for spare change to being one of the most popular singers in Cuba. A Beautiful Song with a Sad LegacyĪny music from Benny Moré can be tinged with sadness. Wildly popular, it has been recorded more than 160 times (with the first time being back in 1928). The initial popularity of rumba throughout the world can be traced back to one of the best Cuban songs, with a somewhat non-poetic title of The Peanut Vendor. A Non-Poetic Title for One of the Best Cuban Songs Guevara wrote a public farewell letter to Cuba when he left the country, and the song is a poetic and melancholy reply to this letter. The song Hasta Siempre, Comandante was written by the Cuban songwriter Carlos Puebla in 1965.

A Salute to a Well-Known Cuban Heroĭespite the fact that he was born in Argentina, Che Guevara is truly a hero to many generations of Cubans. It’s one of the best-known and simply the best Cuban songs. For many Cubans it’s a deeply patriotic song, due to the fact that the lyrics for the song’s most performed incarnation in Cuba were written by the poet and national hero Jose Martí. The title Guantanamera simply refers to a woman who originates from the Guantanamo region of Cuba (which sounds less romantic than the soulful way in which the song is performed might lead you to believe). You’ll know this first one from one of its practically countless versions, recorded by a multitude of performers. Whatever the reason, these songs from Cuba will have you on the next available flight to Havana… or at the very least, dancing around the room (make sure you close your curtains unless you want your neighbours to see). This is certainly the case when it comes to the best Cuban songs.ĭo you like to listen to appropriately themed music to get you into the mood for a holiday? Or maybe you need a playlist while researching a potential holiday online? And then there’s music that is forever linked to a particular country while still being internationally beloved.

Seriously, you’re unlikely to hear German oom-pah music played outside of an Oktoberfest tent. Some genres are undeniably universal, whereas other genres rarely leave their own country and might only be something played for tourists anyway. Many countries have their own distinctive styles of music, with varying degrees of popularity.
