20 Iconic Songs that are Built Into the Fabric of Latino Culture

Credit: BELatina/BrandStar

Music is a part of a culture’s identity. It plays during gatherings, becomes tied to several memories, and unites people who don’t know each other personally, but perhaps share a common ethnicity. The Latinx culture does not compromise when it comes to music. There are songs that, no matter how old, fill us with emotion, and make us dance. We have them memorized word for word, beat-by-beat, our mothers, tias and best friends always sing along.

5“Cielito Lindo,” Quirino Mendoza y Cortes, and Various Artists

Quirino Mendoza y Cortes Mariachi

Covered by several different artists, including Luciano Pavarotti, Enrique Iglesias, Ana Gabriel, and Carmen Costa, “Cielito Lindo” is an iconic Mexican song, composed way back in 1882, by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés. “Ay, ay, ay, ay, cantas y no llores” are lyrics which millions of Latinxs have sung in their lives.