Will Listening to Spanish Language Music Help You Learn Spanish?
Learning a new language can be difficult, but there are a few ways you can make the process a little easier (and more fun!). Spanish is one of the most popular languages to learn and more and more people continue to learn it year after year.
Because it’s such a popular language, there are a lot of different ways you can go about learning Spanish, from watching movies and TV shows in Spanish or taking online courses to learn by singing along with your favorite songs.
To help you out with this last method, I’ve made a list of 10 of my favorite singers who sing in Spanish. Listening to their songs will help you not only learn some basics (and probably some slang) but singing along will also help your pronunciation!
10 Most Popular Spanish Speaking Singers for Language Learners
Juanes
Juanes is a Colombian singer-songwriter whose music has a unique sound that can make anyone sing along. His songs are super popular throughout Latin America and he has also achieved international success outside of the Spanish-speaking world.
The following are some of Juanes’ most well-known songs:
- La Camisa Negra
- A Dios Le Pido
- Es Por Ti
- Me Enamora
- Fotografía
What makes Juanes a perfect choice for improving your Spanish skills is that his pronunciation is easy to understand and his lyrics are more simple and straightforward.
Shakira
Shakira is another Colombian singer and songwriter who is famous for her Spanish songs as well as her English songs. Shakira has been nominated for many awards such as Grammy Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. Some of her most popular Spanish-language songs are:
- Te Espero Sentada
- Si Te Vas
- Se Quiere, Se Mata
- Sale El Sol
- Ojos Así
Like Juanes, Shakira’s lyrics are pretty easy to follow along with and her songs will get stuck in your head. You’ll be singing to yourself in Spanish without even realizing it! She also has knack for singing her lyrics really quickly, so if you’re looking for some pronunciation practice, Shakira can be a great teacher.
Rosalía
Rosalía is a singer, songwriter and producer from Barelona. She sings in Castellano (Spanish from Spain) with lyrics that are both personal and political. Her music has had a huge impact on the music industry in Spain, and it’s often called New Flamenco. Her voice is really emotive and can really help you understand different ways to express yourself in Spanish. Here are some of her most popular songs:
- Con Altura
- Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi
- Malamente
- Piensa En Tu Mirá
- Di Mi Nombre
It can be hard to immerse yourself in another culture’s music and lyrics, but Rosalía helps you jump right into life in Spain. Her voice and songs speak about everyday life as well as about the world and its complexities.
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin is a singer from Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin is known for his main hits like “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “She Bangs”, but he also has a lot of Spanish-language music you may not know about. Some of his most popular songs in Spanish are:
- La Mordidita
- Vente Pa’ Ca
- Te Extraño, Te Olvido, Te Amo
- Perdido Sin Ti
- Y Todo Queda En Nada
Ricky Martin’s song lyrics are easy to understand because they use simple language that anyone can learn. They also talk about experiences everyone has: love, breakups, and just having fun!
Luis Fonsi
Luis Fonsi is another Puerto Rican singer who has become an international sensation. He is known for his pop and bachata-type music. He has done a few collaborations with English-speaking artists like Demi Lovato and Justin Bieber, but he’s also an established solo artist in the Spanish-speaking world. These are some of his most famous songs:
- Calypso
- Date La Vuelta
- Sola
- Tanto Para Nada
- Le Pido Al Cielo
Luis Fonsi’s music is a great way to learn Spanish because he uses common expressions you’ll hear anytime you talk to a native speaker. He also sings with a clear accent and is easy to understand if you’re a beginner or intermediate Spanish learner.
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a famous Spanish singer who has been around for years. His dad, Julio Iglesias, is also one of the biggest icons in Spanish music. Enrique’s music has a pop sound and his slow songs are perfect if you want to improve your listening skills. Some of his popular Spanish-language songs are:
- Subeme La Radio
- Bailamos
- Nunca Te Olvidaré
- Duele El Corazón
- Cuando Me Enamoro
Enrique Iglesias uses a lot of colloquial expressions that can help you sound more like a native speaker. His songs are also catchy and it’s easy to put them on repeat.
Maluma
Maluma is a Colombian singer, songwriter, and rapper. Maluma has had an impressive career so far and he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. It seems like he releases a new song every few weeks! If you want to pick up some slang, Maluma is your guy. Here are some of his best songs:
- Pa Ti
- Hawái
- La Respuesta
- Aloha
- Felices Los 4
Maluma mainly sings about love but also includes other themes like anger or heartbreak in his songs. His lyrics can help you learn the best ways to express love in Spanish, and they’ll stay in your long-term memory because they’re so catchy.
J Balvin
Another famous Colombian singer you need to know is J Balvin. If you like reggaeton, you probably already know some of his songs. If you don’t know what reggaeton is, listening to J Balvin is the perfect introduction to it. Some of his most popular songs are:
- Mi Gente
- Si Te Atreves
- 6 AM
- Ginza
- Yo Te Lo Dije
- Safari
J Balvin’s lyrics are probably more suited for intermediate and advanced Spanish speakers. He uses a lot of slang and colloquial expressions, and his pronunciation can be a little difficult to understand sometimes. No matter what level you are though, his music will make you want to dance.
Alvaro Soler
Alvaro Soler is a Spanish singer from Barcelona. He mixes pop with flamenco music to create upbeat songs which are perfect for parties and road trips. He has become known around the world due to the success of a couple of his songs, and he has also collaborated with other popular singers like Jennifer Lopez and Flo Rida. His most popular songs are:
- La Cintura
- El Mismo Sol
- Sofia
- La Libertad
- Animal
Alvaro Soler’s songs can help you learn Spanish because they’re easy to understand and the lyrics are repetitive. They not only teach you some new vocabulary but also help you remember it by singing it over and over again.
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter from the US. His parents are Puerto Rican though and a lot of his songs are in Spanish. His music, which is a mix of salsa, bolero, ballads, and pop has been enjoyed by people around the world since the 1990s. His most notable songs include:
- Haste Que Te Conocí
- Nadie Como Ella
- Contra La Corriente
- Tu Amor Me Hace Bien
- No Me Ames
Like most others on this list, Marc Anthony sings a lot about love and overcoming the challenges life throws your way. Because he has so many hits, most native speakers know at least a few of his songs. Talking about them can be a great way to practice!
Learn Spanish Naturally
If you’re looking for a way to learn Spanish quickly, then listening to the music from these singers can be a great solution. Their catchy lyrics and easy-to-understand colloquial expressions make it so anyone can pick up new vocabulary and gain a deeper cultural understanding.
If you learn best by listening, using the Pimsleur Spanish courses (Latin American and Spain) can help you learn to speak the language even faster. Listening to Spanish music and studying with Pimsleur will make you conversational in no time!