Music is one of the most entertaining ways to practice language. It combines rhyme, symbolism, rhythm, metaphors, culture, history, instrumental sound, and so many other elements. In this post, I’m going to cover 4 popular songs in Spanish that are easy to incorporate into your teaching practice.
Important note: giving your students a copy of the lyrics with vocabulary missing is not the most effective technique! This post on how to build a lesson around a song might be useful for you as you plan.
On to the music!
Me gustas tú – Manu Chao
About the artist:
Manu Chao was actually born in France, but his parents are Spanish. His father is from the city of Bilbao in Spain and his mother is from Vilaba, Galicia in Spain. He also speaks and performs in other languages including French, Italian, and Gallego. Me Gustas Tú is one of his most popular songs.
About the song:
The song has a simple yet catchy rhythm. It is very relaxed and the perfect pace to challenge non-native speakers without overwhelming them. Manu sings repeatedly about things he likes and repeats that “me gustas tú”; we can assume he is singing to a lover
Use it to teach: Gustar
- The lyrics repeat the phrase “me gusta _____” several times. You can have students focus on the filling in the things Manu Chao likes. Draw their attention to the fact that sometime he uses singular nouns, plural nouns, and sometimes infinitive verbs.
- Ask students to rewrite the lyrics to include things they like – maybe then can ever perform a verse of the song for their classmates.
- You can model questions by asking “¿A Manu Chao le gusta ____?”
- A conversation activity might be a good follow up once students master the basics. Encourage them to ask their classmates things like “¿A tí te gusta ____?” or “¿Qué te gusta?”
Julieta Venegas – Me Voy
About the artist:
Julieta Venegas was born in California but grew up in Tijuana, Mexico. Her parents are of Mexican descent. She has won several Latin Grammys and sings Pop and Rock, as well as many songs somewhere in between.
About the song:
Me Voy is a fun song with instrumentation that American students might not be used to hearing (for example the accordion). The song has a rhythm that makes you want to sway side to side as you sing along. Julieta’s pronunciation is very clear which will help your students understand her words. She sings unabashedly about leaving someone (perhaps a lover) who was unable to understand her, didn’t see her value, and didn’t listen to her. This makes for an excellent set up activity; you can easily engage the fragile hearts of your teenage students!
Use it to teach: Many things
- Simple present; Reflexive verbs; past tenses; subjunctive
- The songs lyrics have a great variety of grammatical structures making it an easy to use song in a variety of contexts.
- It can be a great “fun day” song for intermediate Spanish students (around the end of 2nd year).
¿Qué hiciste? – Jennifer López
About the artist:
Jennifer López is probably already familiar to many of your students. She grew up in the Bronx, in New York City. Her parents are originally from Puerto Rico. They taught her to work hard and learn English well. At five years old, she began taking singing and dance lessons.
About the song
¿Qué hiciste? plays into the fiery latina stereotype with a slow introduction reminiscent of Spanish flamenco as López first sings of ayer and the way her love was. It explodes dramatically into guitar strumming underpinned by violins with López accusing her former love of destroying their relationship. The song flows between a fast-angry chorus and slow-emotional verses; it is easy to imagine the song as a real fight with moments of anger and moments of sadness or regret.
Use it to teach: Preterite vs Imperfect
- The song is filled with examples of preterite verbs (irregular and regular) and many imperfect as well
- Future (simple)
- Pronunciation
- Reflexive constructions
- A nuestro labios Nos sobraban las palabras
- Nos espiabamos
- Nos prometimos
- Me juraste
- Equivocarse
- Tanto amor que te entregaba
- Con un permiso para si romperme el alma
- Nos obligaste
- Las borraron tus palabras
- Se te olvidó
- Para odiarte
Solo Hay Que Quererte Un Poquito Más, Mi México – Regina Orozco
About the artist:
Cabaret, Mariachi, Opera, Folk – Regina Orozco is a soprano singer with a huge range of vocal styling. She studied extensively with professionals and mastersingers. Orozco has attended the most prestigious art schools in North America including Mexico’s National Music Conservatory and the Juilliard School of Music in New York. In addition to singing (beautifully), she acts on tv, film, and stage.
Interesting fact: her full name is Regina del Sagrado Corazón Orozco Mora
About the song:
Solo Hay Que Quererte Un Poquito Más, Mi México is a beautiful homage to the diversity and splendor within Mexico. The lyrics begin with Regina dedicating the song and her voice to her home. As she opens her heart, she sings more about the spirit of Mexican culture than of its physical products. One of the most inspiring parts of the song, and Regina’s career in general, is the inclusion of folk culture in a way that feels authentic instead of appropriative.
After listening, your students will learn to love México just a little more.
You can build a lesson plan around this song easily. Or if you’re busy, we have a pre-made plan (Practice Simple Present with a Song!) ready to go for you here.
Use it to teach:
- Simple present tense
- Mexican culture and appreciation