Top 10 Salsa Songs of all Time
I’ve been asked so many times by students what music they should buy, or where to find good music to practice to, that I’ve decided to put up a list of my favourite salsa songs so people can find them to buy for themselves (or just to listen to).
If you think I’ve missed any, please comment at the bottom, and if I agree, I’ll move it onto the list 🙂
- Har-You Percussion Group – Welcome to the Party
- Los Titanes – Merecumbe
- Ray Santiago – It’s a Man’s World
- Ray Barretto – Indestructible
- Joe Arroyo – La Rebelion
- Oscar D’León – Lloraras
- Celia Cruz – Quimbara
- Al DeLory – Via
- Fruko y sus Tesos – El Preso
- Marc Anthony – Aguanile (Yes I prefer this to the Hector Lavoe verson, and yes I know this is blasphamy :))
For anyone looking to download these mp3s, the’re all on iTunes.
Update: I’ve since had more suggestions but I can’t bring myself to remove any of the ones I’ve already put up… so here are some more brilliant songs:
- Mambomania – Dame Cinco
- Ismael Rivera – El Cumbanchero
- Celia Cruz – Azucar Negra
- Charlie Palmieri – Either You Have It Or You Don’t
- Eddie Palmieri – Vamonos Pa’l Monte
- Ray Barretto – Trucutu
- Marc Anthony and India – Vivir lo Nuestro
- N’Klabe – I Love Salsa
- Luis Enrique – Yo No Se Mañana
- El Timba – Hermano
- Eddie Torres and his Mambo Kings – Arinanara
- Celia Cruz – La Vida Es Un Carnaval
- Frankie Ruiz – Lo Dodo
- Frankie Ruiz – La Cura
- Hector Lavoe – El Cantante
- Jose Bello – La Palabra Amigo
- Fruko y Sus Teso – Cachondea
- Marc Anthony – Valio La Pena
- La India – Ese Hombre
- La Sonora Poncena – Yambeque
- Africando – Yay Voy
- Cuco Valoy – Juliana
- Ruben Blades – Pedro Navaja
- Ruben Blades – Plastico
- Eddie Palmieri – Adoracion
- Larry Harlow – La Cartera
- Fabien Torres – Dilema
- Luis Enrique – Descontrolame
- Gilberto Santa Rosa – La Agarro Bajando
- Tito Nieves – La Salsa Vive
- Jose Alberto El Canario – Baila Que Baila
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
- Guerrera Jose Bello en vivo desde NY haz click para fotos videos
- best movie love songs of all time | Kuplux's
- all time greatest movie love songs | Kuplux's
- all time best movie openings | Kuplux's
- 10 greatest movie villains of all time | Kuplux's
- “Lloraras” or Everything I love about a song | soundsofafreerambler
- Timbalero Site Youtube.com | Tobiasgeorge
Salsa Ulysses 
#5 I have to agree, this would be on my list.
Oscar is up there,
Mambomania, not so sure about this one, too many memories of Stars on 45.
Fantastic list! May I suggest:
Abran Paso – Larry Harlow / Ismael Miranda
Hey dude, nice work.
have a question for you?
Why does my foot hurt…..no seriosly why is this “Joe Arroyo – La Rebelion” in your top 10?
Dont get me wrong I love that song but I want to know? What it makes you feel?
I hear this song out at the clubs all the time and it has very easy to follow musicality and hits. Really fun song to dance to.
Plus I love how the energy levels in this song keep on ramping up and up so by the end of the song everyone is going off!
How about you?
There’s a classic salsa song with an infectious sing along chorus that sounds like ooooooo oh my, oh my oh my. Sorry I don’t have more in the way of lyrics. Can anyone name that tune? A rapper has done an awesome job remixing over that song and I’m trying to track it down. Thanks!
Sorry about that guys. Found the song and it’s actually a Samba song by Sergio Mendes: “Mas Que Nada” featuring the Black Eyed Peas. Still, if you want to listen to a perfect song to drive to or party to, this is the one. Too much fun!
Just stop. You have already offended me beyond belief. Agaunile is by Wille Colon & Hector Lavoe, Produced by Johnny Pacheco. Its on the el cantante sountrack, but there was only 1 cantante & it’s not marc anthony.Start with Fania from the 60s & work your way down.
1. Celia Cruz – La Vida Es Un Carnaval
2. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – No Me Llores Mas
3. Oscar De Leon – Lloraras
4. Fania All Stars(Celia Cruz) – Quimbara
5. Tommy Olivencia/Frankie Ruiz – Lo Dudo
6. Hector Lavoe – Periodico De Ayer
7. Ismael Rivera – El Negro Bembon
8. Frankie Ruiz – La Cura
9. Hector Lavoe – El Cantante
10.Celia Cruz – Azucar Negra
11. Jose Bello – La Palabra Amigo
12. Fruko y Sus Teso – Cachondea
13. Bobby Rodriguez – Hipocresia
14. Mark Anthony – Valio La Pena
15. La India – Ese Hombre
This is me being fair. If it was up to me I would list 10 songs by Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe. They were by far the best salsa musicians. Other hits by Willie Colon include El Malo, Juana Pena, Che Che Cole, Abuelita, Oiga Senor, Mi Gente(Fania All Stars), Loco(Hector Lavoe), La Banda (Hector Lavoe).
Thank you so much for so many great suggestions! I’ve put a lot of them up on the post now. However, I must say that I don’t agree with all your choices, but I suppose that’s only to be expected.
Regarding Aguanile, I was waiting for someone to push back against my choice of using Marc Anthony’s version over Hector Lavoe’s, but in my opinion, it is the clear winner. The hits are sharper, and the downtime feels more soulful. I’m sure I’ll end up in Salsa hell for saying that, but I prefer dancing to the Marc Anthony version.
You are banished to salsa hell.
Where you are forced to listen to Lil Wayne and bad remakes of classic Fania songs forever
When it come to aguanile, the Lavoe version was recorded 30 years prior, they did not have the equipment that we have today (when Marc recorded his version) and that is why you will incline to say that the Anthony’s version sounds better
shut up asshole
amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You don’t have any of the top 3 salsa bands in Puerto Rico. And this is the order they are ranked in Puerto Rico. 1 Gran Combo, 2. Sonora Ponceña, 3. Willie Rosario
And don’t for get Bobby Valentin, also from Puerto Rico!
Hector Lavoe “Mi Gente” is a true classic. How can you miss it? I guess you have to be a true Puerto Rican to appreciate this song.
Thanks all for your ideas!
I am sure though, these must be mentioned as well 🙂
Salsa Celtica – Yo me voy
Picadillo – Fania All Stars
lluvia con nieve – mon rivera
La Palomilla – Joe Cuba
La33 – La Pantera Mambo
Jimmy Sabater – Por Primera Vez
Tito Puente – Hong Kong Mambo
Hacha y Machete – Creacion 75
.. and more 🙂
Africando – Yay Boy
Grupo Niche – Sin Sentimientos
I am leaving my share here
Gilberto Santa Rosa- Conciencia
Grupo Chaney- Amigos
Tommy Olivencia- La Rueda
Rey Ruiz- Luna Negra
El gran combo de Puerto Rico (any song from this band is good!!)
Frankie Ruiz- Bailando
This is the top ones that we puertorricans believe are the tops ones. Not the the only best ones (you made a very good list), but very good ones.
La Rueda, as far as I know, is was originally recorded by Orquesta La Solución ft. Frankie Ruiz on vocals.
Dude You’re crazy! All of you!!! Or most of you, anyway! LOL! Sorry! But, I grew up listening to Salsa music in the 70s! I’ve heard thousands of songs over the years! Salsa wasn’t even called “salsa” back then! I was a kid in Colombia, jamming to this music b4 most of you were even born! And for you all to not even include “La Sonora Poncena” in any of your list is such an insult to the whole music phenomenon! Let alone Salsa itself!
Ok! Now that I got the beef out of my system, I’m calm enough to give y’all my two cents of wisdom, and take it strictly for what it’s worth! LOL! Are you ready? ok:
My top ten list of salsa songs ever made I haven’t even thought about it, but I know the songs for 1 reason and one reason only: They’ve past the test of time with me, and strictly with me. That is, I’ve heard these song over a hundred times each, and I’ve never gotten tired of listening to them; quite the contrary, not only do I want to listen to them every time more, but they put me in a trance when I hear them. Furthermore, I can’t fathom going to heaven, or hell for that matter, if listening to them for eternity is not part of my reward/punishment: So, with that in mind, here is my list of gifts from heaven to us, miserable mortals. The first three are tied for first, so, either one is # 1:
1- Sonora Poncena/Yambeque
2- Grupo Niche/La Negra No Quiere
3- Sonora Poncena/ Yare
4- La Suprema Corte/Escombros
5- La Sonora Matancera/ Matala
6- Grupo Gale/Mi Vecina
7-Africando/Ya voy
8- Joe Arroyo/No le pegue a la negra
9- Fruko- El Preso
10- Cuco Valoy/Nacio Varon or Juliana
Please forgive me for being so bias, but I probably stuck 2 or 3 songs (not more) that may not belong in the top ten, but top 20. Either way! you’ll never go wrong with these 10, for eternity, trust me!!! Having said that, my deepest respects go to so many great salsa artists from the Caribbean America, to whom justice is not being done with this stupid “Top Ten list” adjective; included but not limited to:Guayacan, Gilberto, Eddy, Oscar, Gran Combo. Please also note my lack of appreciation for certain modern artists who have contributed to popularize the genre to the masses world-wide in certain ways, which, only history will prove them (the artists) wrong and phony. And, no, I’m not talking about the great Luis Enrique at all; please!!! Peace from Texas, y’all!!!
Armando
Hey Armado,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share these with me. I’ve updated my list to include these:
* La Sonora Poncena – Yambeque
* Africando – Yay Voy
* Cuco Valoy – Juliana
I already had these:
* Joe Arroyo/No le pegue a la negra (also known as La Rebellion)
* Fruko- El Preso
I personally don’t agree with you for the other 5 however, and I think I know why… I agree they’re quite nice to listen to, but I’m a dancer 1st and foremost, and if I can’t enjoy dancing to a song, I won’t tend to listen to it. My dance comfort zone is approximately 90BPM and above, and most of the songs you have listed are below that threshold.
I’m not from South America so I probably don’t get the cultural significance of some of these songs… I’m purely going from a listening and dancing point of view so I hope I don’t offend you with this.
Thanks again for the additions, and even some of the slow ones I’ve added to my teaching playlist 🙂
Diplomatic speech .. I was temped to simply say ‘ Oh.. boring’ after listening to them 🙂 Sorry Armano, I am sure there will be quality in those tracks but assuming Welcome to the party and Merecumbe are on the top of my list as well.. well .. the energy coming out of the song does matter for me 🙂
On the other hand, it is not hard to dance well on a quick song but it is very hard to do so on a slow one.
Yare – so soulful
cant forget Woody’s Blue either… underrated classic
Amen!!!!
oye como va – tito puente
Haha that’s Cha cha, not Salsa. Actually maybe I should make a “top 10 cha cha’s of all time” too
Why hasnt anyone included Ruben Blades here is beyond me (!!). If you’re only going to include one, and only one by him, then definitely ‘pedro navajas’ should be there (I’d say the whole ‘Siembra’ album for that matter). Not to mention the strong colombian bias in many lists, but hey, a top 10 is a difficult thing to put together….
Plastico would be my Ruben song
Agreed… Added
How come nobody included Henry Fiol? What’s wrong with you people? QUE PENA ME DA
Mas Que Nada!!!!!!!!!
Well, that is samba as far as I know 🙂
there is a song i like that has the lyrics “meals on wheels” but i don’t know the name. do you know which song i’m referring to?
Cuco of GPI
When people ask me what are the Top Ten SALSA songs ever, here they are and why they are on the list:
1. Vamonos Pa’l Monte-Eddie Palmieri-You can’t get any better afinque rythem to dance
2. Yambeque-Sonora Poncena-It’s amazing how good only 14 words in the verses sound
3. Pedro Navaja-Blades & Colon-This song was revolutionary
4. Cocinando-Ray Barreto-Latin Percussion at its Best, especially the timbal playing of Oreste
5. Ah, Ah, O no-Hector Lavoe & Willie Colon-Great sing-a-along tune
6. Adoracion-Eddie Palmieri-What an intro!!! Salsa Gruesa!!!
7. Un Verano en NY-El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico-Andy Monatnez was still singing for them.
8. La Cartera-Larry Harlow-Great charanga sound
9. Mi Dsesngano-Roberto Roena-Nice melo Salsa tune
10. Usted Abuso-Willie Colon & Celia Cruz-Tite Curet Alonso did a great job in the translation
Some of these are gold and have gone both onto my list and into my iphone. Others are too mellow for me… remember I’m a dancer so I am listening through that filter… what’s good to dance to 🙂
Ray Barreto did Trucutu ?
I thought that was Tommy Olivencia
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can help me out. In early 2000 there was a salsa song on the radio that I absolutely loved. It was a trio of singers. In which the new boyfriend of the girl happened to be a friend of the ex. I thought maybe Gilberto Santa rosa with some other singers.. can someone please help me find that song?
For some reason Dejala comes to mind with Tito Gomez and Tito Rojas, but that was released in early 90’s.
Too many people smoking some funny things in this page. You should know from the get-go that this topic is always going to be subjective. I personally think you need to break it down a number of ways.
1. Is it for dancing or for listening, or both?
2. Do you like “old” (like the classics) or “new” salsa?
3. Do you look at the various styles (from the range of salsa-producing countries) differently?
Me personally –
1. I like to listen and dance to it. 80% of the music I listen to is salsa. Some tracks work well for listening but not so much for dancing (Marc Anthony tracks for example that start slow and can take forever to “pick up” into the salsa groove, which I like to dance to but a lot of people don’t because they stand there on the dance floor looking confused!). Other tracks have a great energy to dance but don’t interest me at all to listen.
2. I prefer newer salsa. Not so much because the older tracks aren’t good songs, but I can’t stand listening to crappy old scratchy recordings. I’m a musician and I have recorded a lot of music over the years, so my ears are pretty sensitive when it comes to the mix. If I don’t like the mix, chances are I won’t want to play the song, for dancing or for listening. And I’m not alone, I have friends (and my brother) who are the same, their ears get tired after a while of listening to the old mixes (the equalisation). A perfect example of this is a comparison you mentioned – Hector Lavoe vs Marc Anthony. I prefer to listen to the Marc Anthony versions of Hector Lavoe songs, purely because the mixing is better. The sound is more full, more contemporary. A song like El Cantante (in my top 10) is great by Hector Lavoe, and amazing by Marc Anthony. Modern recording and mixing has provided this song with a certain kind of “boost” to create an even more flavourful package. This isn’t a diss to Hector, since he is a master, but I just prefer to lean towards newer mixes. And let’s face it, Marc Anthony does an incredibly admirable job. Another example – I love Lloraras by Oscar De Leon, but I don’t listen to it or dance to it (I actually prefer to listen and dance to Llora Llora by Tego Calderon and Oscar, a reggaeton remix of Lloraras) because it’s an old scratchy mix. Great song, I play it in both of my bands, but I just don’t like the mix. Call me crazy but that’s just how I am.
3. I would have a top 10 for each of the groups of salsa – say, Colombian, Cuban (timba), Puerto Rican (including Puerto Rican music from the USA), rest of Latin America (say, Venezuela, Panama, etc), and Mambo from the USA (I’ve probably forgotten something but these make up the majority of my music collection). This way you don’t have to group music that is significantly different – for example, my favourite Colombian bands (groups like Grupo Gale, La Sonora Carruseles, Guayacan) play vastly different music to my favourite timba groups (Timbalive, Los Van Van, etc), so why attempt to group them into the same list?
Anyway, that’s my rant. If I had to list some awesome tracks, the list would include a few tracks by each of these bands:
El Dinero, De Miami a la Habana, Tu Sabes Que Lo Se, Llego Mi Pasaporte – Timbalive
Dilema, Te Va Doler – Fabian Torres
El Reto, Descontrolame – Luis Enrique
Te Amare, Ayudame – Huey Dunbar
Se Le Ve, En My Puertorro – Andy Montanez
La Agarro Bajando, Si Te Dijeron, Pero No Me Ama – Gilberto Santa Rosa
Hasta Que Vuelvas Conmigo, Y Hubo Alguien – Marc Anthony
Plus some stand out tracks –
Divino – Pobre Corazon
La Salsa Vive – Tito Nieves, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Celia Cruz
Ni Calor Ni Frio – Oscar De Leon
Baila Que Baila – Jose Alberto El Canario
Llego El Sabor – Jose Alberto and Oscar De Leon
Some other great bands/acts to mention (that I don’t think have been mentioned yet) – Mike Devito, NG2, Michel Maza, Victor Maneulle, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Tiempo Libre, Carlos Oliva, Grupo Gale, Croma Latina, Quinto Mayor, Manolito Simonet, and hey, check out what Tony Succar is doing in Miami with his Michael Jackson Tribute – sweet!
And yeah, I’m a gringo, but before anyone questions my background – I’ve been drumming and writing music for 20 years (variety of styles), playing and dancing salsa for 4 1/2 (I run 2 latin bands), dj’ing for a couple of years – I basically live and breathe this stuff (ask my missus!). And I’m not trying to sound like a know-it-all, just wanting to expand the discussion further and give everyone some new ideas for musical enlightenment 🙂
Matt thanks so much for this. It’s expanded my horizons and I’ve found some great tracks because of it! Keep doing what you’re doing, and thanks for sharing 🙂
Hey man, happy to do it! I love this music and I can be a bit fanatical about it, it’s good to meet others that are passionate about it.
Pretty sure you know my brother too, crazy dancing Pete from Newcastle. Anyway if you’re ever keen to get our band Chunky Salsa involved in anything, let me know, always happy to get amongst it! 🙂
Don’t waste your time with this list: the formula is easy: Take the three “monsters” of Salsa; select their three of four greates hits, and that’s it!!! Who those are? Easy man: Wille Colon & Hector Lavoe, Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barretto. I leave for you to pick the best of each one, but if left to me this is my list:
1) Vamonos Pa’l Monte – Eddie Palmieri
2) La Malanga – Eddie Palmieri
3)Muneca – Eddie Palmieri
4) Quitate la Mascara – Ray Barreto
5) Mirame de Frente – Ray Barreto
6) La Hipocresia y la Falsedad – Ray Barreto
7) Che-Che-Cole Willie Colon
8) Ghana’e Willie Colon
9) La Murga – Wille Colon
10) Quitate Tu – Fanial All Stars (can’t simply leave this one out)
Ouchhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
La Sonora Poncena, Tommy Olivencia, and El Gran Combo were just as Monstrous as the 3 you named!!!
La Murga (feat. Willie Colon) Hector Lavoe,
Mi Libertad Frankie Ruiz, Lloraras Oscar D’leon, Pedro Navaja Willie Colon & Rubén Blades, Lluvia Eddie Santiago, Dejala Tito Gomez & Tito Rojas, Se me fue El Gran Combo, Triste y Vacia (feat. Willie Colon) Hector Lavoe, Tu con el Frankie Ruiz, Conteo Regresivo (salsa version) Gilberto Santa Rosa are all essentials and some of the best!
i see alot of ricans on the list ,fania went to cuba and irakere sat them down
johnny pacheco … la salsa es y siempre sera la musica cubana, by the way all the list ive seen are great .List are all personel opinion to many great songs to dificult to critique unless you guy on popularity ,los van van should be on anybodys list el gran combo irakere orquesta aragon so many
#1 pedro navaja yall choose the rest
NO Gran Combo!!!!!!!!!!! Travesty
5 6 and 9 are the only songs in this list that is 100% ok, the other are sooooo wrong incredible wrong.
Everyone loves it when folks come together and share opinions.
Great site, keep it up!
First off just like omi said, aguanile isn’t Marc Anthony’s song and that’s the misconception. So with that I wouldn’t value your list at all. Clearly you do not know what you’re talking about. All that “down beat” this and that is bull. They sped up the tempo a bit and the production is a bit clear and as it should be … Marc Anthony is a good singer but can’t be compared to Hector and has no place in a top ten list for salsa. In my opinion. But this is your list and your opinion, so, good for you.
hi
i will show you one video please try to send me the song name
please refer the below link for video the song is in between the video Watch from 14:05 onwards
hi
sorry for above comment
i will show you one video please try to send me the song name
please refer the below link for video the song is in between the video Watch from 14:05 onwards
Celia Cruz – La Vida Es Un Carnaval
I’m looking for a salsa song, not exactly sure what it’s called but I heard it at Salsa on St. Clair street festival in Toronto this past weekend and the crowd went craaaaaaazy (in a good way 🙂
The chorus is pretty catchy and its a sing-a-long per say. The chorus included ” La La La La La”.
Seems like a throwback salsa song, but I’m not exactly sure, I may be wrong. The song is sung by a man.
If anyone knows this song, let me know!
Thanks =)
I think that’s Hector Lavoe – Ah ah ah no https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhmbnmtG-zE
You may want to look at my Best Classic 500 Salsa songs of all-time at http://www.herencialatina.com.
Nelson
Hello to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more
from this website, and your views are pleasant for new viewers.
I’d like to find out more? I’d love to find out more details.
If you opt to use a synthetic oil, the interval at which you need
to get your oil changed jumps from every 3,000 miles to every 5,000 – 7,500 miles.
Motor oil testing using this spectral analysis will also
show whether your engine has a fuel dilution problem.
Ground water that is contaminated by only one quart of oil
affects up to 250,000 gallons of drinking water.
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found
a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic
but I had to tell someone!
If you enjoy online strategy games or strategy games
in general, then maybe you should consider playing one of
the bst free web game. These online gmes can have incredible scenarios which will make
you think to emerge as a winner. Sometimes, the best games
are thee ones overlooked, or the ones that were quickly eclipsed by games that have
become cemented in the pantheon of video game history.
Hi there! Do you usee Twitter? I’d like to
follow yoou if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
A great deal of herbal remedies today use steam inhalation. Heating part of
other regular herbal vaporizer is come across the which helps it be prone to corrosion. Smoking marijuana is quite much
unhealthy for the body because doing so releases harmful toxins.
Beim nächsten Mal wahrscheinlich den Mini- zurückgreifen that is Gretelies”.
Da ist das Ergebnis aber größer und man die auch des
Einkräuselns mit einer Kellerfalte nähen. Wachstuch innen habe keine Ahnung, der hier schon ein ganzes
und wartet auf seinen Einsatz.
Below are just three reasons of which there are many more as
well to get these new doors and windows fitted. Another advantage of
purchasing these locks is that you should not have a lot of difficulty
getting the amount you need, whereas this may not be the case in a
salvage shop. However, with regards to lighting both windows are
equal contenders.
What happened to the following??:
Brujeria – El Gran Combo
Sin Salsa no hay Paraiso – El Gran Combo
Betece – Africando
Cali Pachanguero – Grupo Niche
El Tumbao de Cachao – Johnny Polanco
En Barranquilla me Quedo – Joe Arroyo
Me Voy Pa’ Cali – Oscar D’Leon
Que Bueno Baila Usted – Oscar D’Leon
Pa Koute Konsey – Haitando
Rebellion – Joe Arroyo
Son Fo – Africando
Volver,volver – Grupo Gale
These are some of my favorites…..
ELHOLLITO. Bueno tu lista esta muy buena. Excelente pero la verdad es que decir los 10 mejores es muy dificil . Pues en salsa dejariamos por fuera otros 10 y hasta 20 temas mas. que valdria la pena mencionar .EL RICON DE QUINTO MAYOR .Rumba de las calaveras de son de oriente .Micaela de sonora carruseles . papaupa de quinto mayor ,las carabelas, El clan de victor , SANTO NEGRO de sexteto jubentud , Tumba de linda leida, la guayaba de raulin rosendo y grandes clasicos de HECTOR LAVOE , GUAYACAN YURI BUENAVENTURA ,ALEX LEON Y LOS LEONES DE LA SALSA EL YOYO, DE WYNE GORBEA
I have been looking to download a song that I believe was called “Awilda”. It’s old, probably before 1983. Would you happen to know this song and msybe who the artist was? Thanks!
I don’t like your list, nothing personal, they’re all good so I get where you’re coming from: Up-beat, flashy, fast paced full of bright trumpets songs are better for dancing performance. Here in Colombia popularity and influence of a song usually goes the other way, slow paced, beautifully crafted lyrics about love, passion and violence, things that have deep roots into our culture and collective memories.
Since for most of latin american people Salsa is about nostalgia, carnival, sadness, family and seduction the list changes a lot, being biased by my own heritage, having that I’ve lived 32 years listening to this music with my family coming from the two great dancing cities in Colombia (Cali and Barranquilla) maybe you’ll find something else, the fire of the soul, nothing to do with speed, just the feeling of flowing with the music and your partner.
By the way, almost all colombians dance, we have to do it men or else you become really alienated. To be recognized as a decent dancer here you gotta have “tumbao” and “flow”, move the hips and waist in a sensual way while doing your nomal salsa moves, is used a lot to impress people you like, like a sexy salsa dance-off. Cali is just insane but great, one of the best parties I’ve been to.
Anyway, here’s the list (Is just about the mood)
Lloraras – Oscar d Leon
Que pena – Hermanos Lebron
El dia de mi suerte – Hector Lavoe
El preso – Fruko y sus tesos
Mala mujer – Sonora matancera
Cali pachanguero – Grupo niche
El Raton – Cheo Feliciano
La rebelion – Joe Arroyo
Sonido Bestial – Richie Ray & Bobby cruz
Mujer Divina – Joe Cuba
No particular order, all good songs.
Hey I hope you visit Colombia to dance all day and night, take care.
I find it amazing how everyone has referenced “Lloraras” as Oscar D’Leon when it was Dimension Latina with Oscar as a member when it was recorded…get the history right my friends. What made the Salsa of the 70’s more exciting was the improvisations that drove dancers to really get down and dance and the arrangements that cover versions rarely match…this ideal of scratchy records is insane…but I do respect all your picks if they are personal choices for your dancing and listening pleasure….Nelson Rodriguez- original member of the first latin record pool in the world (International Latin Music Spinners) in the Bronx, New York, ex-TH Records East Coast Director, RMM Records National Director of Promotion, Latin Beat Magazine original, Herencia Latina.com, current host at Alma Del Barrio KXLU in Los Angeles, and historian who has not only interviewed the best and many of your favorites (well over 500 artists over the past 40 years) but also polled hundreds of radio (both commercial and non-commercial) and club DJ’s worldwide, journalists, record store owners to come to a list of the 500 best Salsa somgs to both listen and dance.
Do you want to copy posts from other sources rewrite them in seconds and post on your site or use for
contextual backlinks? You can save a lot of writing work,
just search in google:
rheumale’s rewriter
Salsa top 10…………….100%
You seriously have no El Gran Combo on your list and that is blasphemy to me.
I like fabien torres-Dilema…:-)
My .02. “Las Caras Lindas” of Ismael Rivera. Also various songs from Raphy Leavitt y La Selecta, like “La Cuna Blanca”, “Cafe Colao”, and “Jibaro Soy”.
El GRAN COMBO- timbalero,azuquita pal cafe,se me fue el menu,ojos chinos,.VICTOR MANUELLE=asi es la mujer, por ella,ella lo que quiere es salsaFRANKIE RUIZ-mi libertad,bailando,lo dudo,DLG-juliana,muevelo,NKLABE-i love salsa,JOE ARROYO-rebellion.RICHIE RAY-sonido bestial,WILLIE ROSARIO-botaron la pelota,PUERTORRICAN POWER-juguete de nadie,EDDIE PALMIERI-vamonos pal monte,SONORA CARRUSELES-micaela,OSCAR D LEON-que bueno baila usted,GRUPO NICHE-etnia.ISMAEL RIVERA=mi jaragual.LA SONORA PONCEñA-fuego en el 23.
willie colon barrunto and abuelita
Hi all. This is excellent playlist but I can’t find one song which I heard on radio and it is very similar to this songs. It is a little faster song with male vocal and in refrain he says (I don’t know Spanish but…) “puerto rico del potrooo” or something like that but he mentions Puerto rico in the song. I can’t give more descriptions unfortunately…:D If you think you know which song is that pls tell me here or on my mail: bogdanjelenkovic@gmail.com
Thanks a lot. 😉
Is it a salsa song per se? There was a somewhat popular rap song with latin rhythms and sounds out on the airwaves several years ago. Puerto Rico by Big Pun.
That sounds like Andy Montanez
salsaulysses.com has potential, you can make your site go
viral easily using one tricky method. Just type in google:
Irsrod’s Method To Go Viral
#1 es fania y Hector Lavoe…..”MI Gente”. #2 Mi Desengano roberto Roena, # 3 Celia Cruz quimabara, #4 Pedro Navajo Ruben blades, Puerto Rico Eddie Palmeiri, gran combo Lluvia, hector Lavoe todopoderoso, bobby Valentin libro de Amor, Pete Conde Johnny Pacheco esencia guaguanco, fania all stars…quit ate tru, fania all stars cheo feliciano raton
Got to put Bilongo (Eddie Palmieri) in there too, right?
Love your choices, Ulysses and the fact that you are living and breathing salsa, down under…will give you a more detailed post when I have some time but just wanted to give you the kudos and one suggestion of a dance-able tune:
Todo Tiene Su Final – Willie Colon
As a dancer, you may or may not like the changes in the music that is so emblematic of Willie Colon, from pure Salsa to Puerto Rican Bomba/Plena – let me know what you think
Love your Larry Harlow choice, La Cartera is dance hall music for sure
Also check out Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz, the album Jala Jala, Boogaloo – I’ve danced more to the album than any other – I think you will enjoy it
When I give you my top ten, it will be with you criteria of dance-able in mind…
I am sorry but how can any list of great salsa songs be complete without Amores Como el Nuestro by Jerry Rivera?
My favourite of all time is
YO SE (INTRO) BY Barbaro Fines y su mayimbe.
This paragraph is really a pleasant one it assists new internet users, who are wishing
in favor of blogging.
As a Greek I believe I have no say in a Latin matter like Salsa but, why didn’t anyone mention ”Te Va Doler by Maelo Ruiz”? I believe it is an incredible song for salsa
Apparently I’m in the minority here but I can’t believe that not one song from Grupo Niche made the list. Am I trippin?
Maybe because the majority of their songs are slow
You’re not trippin…Grupo Niche has an amazing band. Some of my favs are Ciatrices, Listo Medellin, Del Puente Pa’ Alla, Buenaventura Y Caney, MIserable, Sin Sentimientos, Cielo De Tambores, Mas Duro Me Da, Culebra, Ana Mile….to name a few. Great dance songs, not slow either
You’re not trippin…Grupo Niche has an amazing band. Some of my favs are Ciatrices, Listo Medellin, Del Puente Pa’ Alla, Buenaventura Y Caney, MIserable, Sin Sentimientos, Cielo De Tambores, Mas Duro Me Da, Culebra, Ana Mile….to name a few. Great dance songs, not slow either
Hi admin it was hard to find this post in google. You need hi quality backlinks to rank higher in the
top 10. I know how to rank your blog, search on youtube: SEO
optimization bulletproof strategy
Hi blogger, do you monetize your blog ? There is easy way to earn decent money every month, just search on youtube – How to earn with wordai 4
no way
my top ten is way better
Juana Pena – Willie Colon Feat. Hector Lavoe
Anacaono – Cheo Feliciano
Sin Sentimientos – Grupo Niche
Palante Otra Vez – Tommy Olivencia Feat. Chamaco Ramirez
Oye La Noticia – Ray Barretto Feat. Adalberto Santiago
Alacran (Tumbando Cana) – Bobby Valentin Feat. Marvin Santiago
Tres Dias De Carnaval – Celia Cruz Feat.Johnny Pacheco
Por El Pecho No – El Gran Combo Feat. Andy Montanez
Si Yo Encontrara Un Amor – Fruko Y Sus Tesos Feat. Wilson Saoko Manyoma
Controversia – Ismael Rivera
En Barranquilla Me Quedo – Joe Arroyo
Malambo – Joey Pastrana And His Orchestra
Tiempo Perdido – Justo Betancourt
Senor Sereno -Ismael Miranda Con Orchestra Harlow
Por Que Me Enganas – Charlie Palmieri Feat. Victor Velasquez
Bomboncito De Pozo -Eddie Palmieri Feat. Ismael Quintana
Amor Y Paz -Raphy Leavitt Feat. Sammy Marrero
Pueblo Latino – Pete El Conde Rodriguez
El Trigueno Cintura – Ray Perez Con Los Dementes Feat. Perucho Torcatt
Con Los Pobres Estoy -Roberto Roena Feat. Frankie Calderon
Siembra – Ruben Blades
Moreno Soy – La Sonora Poncena Feat. Tito Gomez
Noche Como Boca ‘E Lobo -La Sonora Poncena Feat. Luigi Texidor
Nina Y Senora -Tito Puente Feat. Menique
Aun No Es Tiempo -Tommy Olivencia Feat. Simon Perez
De Barrio Obrero A La Quince – Willie Rosario Feat. Chamaco Rivera
These aren’t the typical top songs that EVERYBODY mentions. Something different for your listening pleasures!
It is a good list of dance songs and much better than some of the others I am assuming are being listed by young fans…I may be wrong but the selections indicate that.
The tune Llorarás was recorded by “La Dimensión Latina”. At that time Oscar D’Leon was the singer in that band. Credit should appear, in my humble opinion, as Dimension Latina or Dimensión Latina ft. Oscar D’Leon. Thank you.
Tony I agree with you 100%.. I also see that being done with Tony Vega and Gilberto Santa Rosa when it should be Willie Rosario and Tito Nieves when it should be Conjunto Clasico.
Elvis Crespo Tú Sonrisa
Elvis Crespo Suavemente
India Ese hombre
How can these three best beat n lyrics not be on this list shocks me lol
The fact the the first two are merengues and not Salsa…please relegate merengue to another list.
Hi,I log on to your blog named “Top 10 Salsa Songs of all Time | Salsa Ulysses” on a regular basis.Your humoristic style is awesome, keep doing what you’re doing! And you can look our website about love spells.
Have you heard of Salsa song ONE MORE CHANCE by NY SALSA RECORDING ARTIST
NY JOE
Yes… very nice!
You sound like you know your stuff. I have about 2,000 Salsa songs in my collection so I’m always trying to add rare gems that might have slipped thru the cracks. Normally lists like the ones above only speak to the mainstream songs. I’m curious what old school salsa songs the experts like yourself have as their favorites other than the typical mainstream/radio hits
If you scroll up I listed roughly 25 Old School Salsa songs. As you can tell from my list I like that 70’s/early 80’s sound. What are your top 10 songs? I didn’t see your list, and where can I find that top 500 salsa list you referred to?
Hi blogger, i’ve been reading your posts for some time and I really like
coming back here. I can see that you probably don’t make money on your website.
I know one cool method of earning money, I think you will like it.
Search google for: dracko’s tricks
Hey Nelson Rodriguez, this is Kells. If you scroll up I listed roughly 25 Old School Salsa songs. As you can tell from my list I like that 70’s/early 80’s sound. What are your top 10 songs? I didn’t see your list, and where can I find that top 500 salsa list you referred to?