Difficulty: Beginner
Spain
Silvia from San Sebastián shares her daily routine with us. She leads a very active lifestyle that includes a meal with her parents, work at a Spanish language academy for foreigners (El Aula Azul), a drink with friends, and even some quality time with her cats!
Difficulty: Beginner
Mexico
The first couple of lines of this song are happy enough, and then—pow—she left and the pain won’t disappear. Mexican pop band Reik belts out a plaintive song about heartache. Have tissues handy.
Difficulty: Beginner
Puerto Rico
This Puerto Rican band wasn’t on the island from the get-go. Two of La Secta’s members, Mark and Gustavo, met in Orlando during school and then moved to Miami Beach. There, they met up with John and Carlos and started writing songs. The message of their album Fuego, which shines through in “Déjalos que hablen,” is, according to John, “to be positive in the face of a moment of so many changes in the world.”
Difficulty: Beginner
Mexico
Have you ever been at the end of a dark alley wondering why, how, when? Well that’s exactly the mood of this Café Tacuba song: a metaphysical alley where we wonder what did we do wrong and ask for a second chance. It seems that this guy needs a metaphysical GPS system.
Difficulty: Beginner
Argentina
It’s not easy for most kids growing up in the Chaco region: before the morning bell rings, they have already been picking cotton in the fields. Hop on a boat with Eduardo and Luciana and learn about the community service they do for needy rural schools in Argentina.
Difficulty: Beginner
Ecuador, Puerto Rico
People. People. People. We usually love them and that’s why we talk with them. People from Puerto Rico, people from Ecuador. It doesn’t matter if they are bleeding or in love. We just can’t stop talking to people!
Difficulty: Beginner
Panama
There’s a lot to love about Panama’s Cienfue. Take this great song and its even better video. It makes you want to walk right into the ocean to play guitar underwater on a sunny day, doesn’t it?
Difficulty: Beginner
Spain
Meet Enrique Bunbury, a big name in rock en español. The Spaniard was the lead singer of the classic rock band Héroes del Silencio for 12 years. When the group disbanded in 1996, Bunbury began his solo career. "Frente a frente"—a cover of the song first recorded by Euro-pop star Jeanette in 1981—is the first single from Bunbury’s 2010 album Las Consecuencias.
Difficulty: Beginner
Colombia
Guess who was voted the best new band in the world in 2009? Drum-roll, please… Our friends Bomba Estéreo! Yabla met them back when they were the opening act of (the also great and friendly) ChocQuibTown. Since then, Bomba Estéreo have been spreading like fire all over America and Europe.
Difficulty: Beginner
Colombia
Shakira certainly knows something of the change-up life. A Colombian, she lives in the Bahamas, dates an Argentinian, switched to English, was a brunette, is now a blonde. In this video for “Gitana” (Gypsy), watch her flirt with Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal as she tells us what fans already know.
Difficulty: Beginner
Argentina
Join us on this refreshing trip to Argentina, where we’re paddling our way thorough the history of Rio de la Plata. Eduardo y Luciana are always ready to share some of their local knowledge of Buenos Aires with us. Come on in—this golden water’s fine!
Difficulty: Beginner
Colombia
The old saying goes “Hijo de tigre, sale pintado”. Literally, it means the baby tiger is going to bear the same marks as his father. But it also means that there are some things we inherit and carry with us. Here, Aterciopelados is singing about leaving some inherited, violent habits behind.
Difficulty: Beginner
Mexico
Former lead singer of Elefante, Reyli Barba is also a well respected songwriter. He has written songs for the likes of Latin Grammy winner Alejandro Fernández. "¿Qué nos pasó?" is his very emotional song about being dumped, replaced and wanting to hear the truth about it.
Difficulty: Beginner
Panama
Cienfue is a charismatic Panamanian singer. He manages to have a rock star attitude and still be a nice guy. We know: we had a chance to meet him. Make sure to visit his webpage.
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
Venezuelan legend Franco de Vita has been a fixture on the pop charts since his debut album in 1984. His extremely romantic tunes made him a star in a country renowned for its telenovela industry. “Mi sueño” is one of de Vita’s most recent hits, and a great showcase of his talent.
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