The Best Mariachi Songs | A Top 14

What country has the best music in the world? It’s a question with many answers. However, if you ask, which country’s music is the best to dance to? The straight answer would be mariachi songs from Mexico.

Mariachi music is a vibrant part of Mexican culture. It is a traditional Mexican folk music that combines brass and string instruments. The groups or ensembles with violins, trumpets, and guitars play in a distinctive singing style in harmonies.

Mariachi music dates back to the 18th century with indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. Over time, the genre has evolved from regional folk music to an internationally recognized genre.

The reason?

It is a music of celebrations and is quite popular at weddings, serenades, and especially birthday parties. Here, I will discuss the best mariachi songs to play for your next celebration while enjoying the best tequila in Mexico!

best mariachi songs

I. The Fathers of Mariachi Music from 1930-1960s

Many Mariachi legendary artists made the Mariachi sound popular. Mariachi Vargas is one of the most famous mariachi groups. Their live performances are quite fun, especially, as a hidden trumpeter dramatically joins in.

And, many other legendary Mariachi artists who made the genre popular between the 1930s and 1960s.

1. Mariachi Vargas

Mariachi Vargas is one of the most famous and influential mariachi groups, active since 1897. The musical group is in its fifth generation now, making it one of the oldest music ensembles. 

El Niño Perdido is a crowd favourite, as it features a hidden trumpeter who dramatically joins in when the crows are not expecting. Cielo Rojo is another best mariachi love songs, which is also quite popular.

2. Javier Solís

Javier Solís is also known as the King of Bolero Ranchero and blends mariachi with romantic ballads. He has given timeless classics like Sombras Nada Mas and Si Dios Me Quita la Vida. Sombras is one of his most famous albums, with critics citing it as one of the best Latin albums of all time.

3. José Alfredo Jiménez

José Alfredo Jiménez was one of Mexican famous singers, who wrote many of the mariachi’s most iconic songs. His classics El Rey and Camino de Guanajuato are all about pride, love, and nostalgia. He released four studio albums and also did cameo roles in movies.

4. Jorge Negrete

Jorge Negrete had a powerful voice and commanding stage presence, making him an icon of Mexican music. He gave us the best Mariachi songs like México Lindo y Querido and Ay, and Jalisco No Te Rajes. These songs celebrate national pride and tradition. He was also an actor and gave memorable performances in Mexican classic films.

5. Pedro Infante

Pedro Infante was one of the finest actors of Mexico’s golden age of cinema with over 60 films to his credit. Apart from that, he also recorded over 350 songs. Cien Años and Las Mañanitas are some of his best mariachi songs for birthday, with the latter still sung at birthday celebrations. His legacy lives on through his mariachi music and films. Meanwhile, also check out the best Mexican movies.

Best mariachi songs

II. Best Mariachi Songs from the 1960-1970s

6. Vicente Fernández

Vicente Fernández was a pioneering Mariachi singer who revolutionized mariachi by blending tradition with grand performances. He gave some of the best Mariachi songs like Volver and Por Tu Maldito Amor. He recorded over 100 albums and worked in more than 30 films.

For his excellent work, he won 4 Grammys, 9 Latin Grammy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Beyond his own success, he also has a musical dynasty, with his son Alejandro Fernández modernizing mariachi music by fusing it with pop and Latin influences. His grandson Alex Fernández Jr. plays a more classic mariachi style.

7. Rocío Dúrcal

People call Rocío Dúrcal the “Queen of Ranchera Music”. She became one of the best singers of mariachi, bolero and romantic ballads. Despite being born in Spain, she captivated Latin American fans with her singing of ranchera classics. 

Her collaborations with Juan Gabriel brought mariachi music to international fame, with hits like Amor Eterno, Costumbres, and La Gata Bajo la Lluvia.

best mariachi songs

III. Mariachi Music between 1980-2000

In the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, mariachi music changed from smoother arrangements to romantic and emotional themes. Besides, there was also an influence of local and global pop and regional Mexican styles. 

So, let’s discuss some of the best Mariachi songs from this era. 

8. Pepe Aguilar

Although Pepe Aguilar was born in the United States, he was raised in Mexico. As a teenager, he was a rock music fan but later started taking interest in Mexican Regional music. So, he moderanized the Mexican music, especially the Mariachi genre with modern influences.

Some of his best Mariachi love songs include Por Mujeres Como Tú, Me Vas a Extrañar, and Directo al Corazón. He won 4 Grammy Awards, 5 Latin Grammy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also launched his family’s musical tour, Jaripeo Sin Fronteras, which combines music, rodeo, and Mexican traditions.

9. Alejandro Fernández

Alejandro Fernández is one of the most successful mariachi and Latin pop artists of all time. He is the son of Vicente Fernández (just discussed above). In his earlier works, he played traditional mariachi and ranchera music. Como Quien Pierde una Estrella and Nube Viajera are some of his best mariachi songs to request during celebrations.

In the 2000s, he changed his sound by using Latin pop and romantic ballads, which brought him a massive crossover success across Latin America. Si Tú Supieras and Me Dediqué a Perderte are some of his best Mariachi songs after the transition between genres.

He has sold over 20 million copies with 4 Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. México—Madrid: En Directo y Sin Escalas and Hecho en México are some of his best mariachi albums.

10. Pedro Fernández

Pedro Fernández is one of the best mariachi singers with many hits to his name. Here, his stage name Pedro Fernández is interesting because it is the combination of two of his favorite singers, Pedro (Infante) and (Vicente) Fernandez.

His breakthrough came at the age of 7, with La de la Mochila Azul, a song from the 1978 Mexican film of the same name, which made him a household name. Later, he released some of the best Mariachi songs like Yo No Fui, Amarte a la Antigua, and El Aventurero.

He has a powerful expressive voice, which makes his Mariachi songs for birthday and party celebrations. Beyond music, he has also worked in more than 25 films and several successful telenovelas. He has won multiple Latin Grammy awards, including Best Ranchero Album.

11. Luis Miguel (1980s-present)

Luis Miguel is one of the most famous Mexican singers ever, for his work in pop and bolero music. While not a mariachi singer, his 2004 Mariachi album México en la Piel, with the legendary Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, was a huge success.

It won the Latin Grammy for Best Ranchero Album, selling millions of copies. México en la Piel is one of the best Mariachi songs to request because it celebrates the beauty and culture of Mexico.

Some other songs, like La Bikina, El Viajero, and Cielito Lindo, also show his vocal range with Mariachi’s rich instrumentation. There’s also a hit Netflix series Luis Miguel: La Serie about his life and career, and he plays his own lead role.  

You should also check out the famous people in Mexico, if you want to know more people like Luis Miguel. 

best mariachi songs

IV. Best Mariachi Singers of 21st Century

Modern Mariachi music has more fusions with modern genres like pop and banda. It’s just like European bands mixing music by taking inspiration from global migrant musicians. And, with streaming platforms and social media, Mariachi music has more global reach now. So, let’s see some of the latest and best Mariachi love songs.

12. Alex Fernández

Alex (Alejandro Jr.) Fernández is Vicente Fernández’ grandson and Alejandro Fernández’ son. Interestingly, instead of following his father’s pop-infused style, he chose to play traditional mariachi and ranchera music. And, his grandfather produced his debut album, Sigue la Dinastía.

Despite his family’s fame, he has worked to establish his own identity in the genre. Some of his best Mariachi songs like Te Amaré and El Tiempo No Perdona are true to mariachi traditions. With strong vocals and classic ranchera music, he represents the new generation of Mariachi musicians.

13. Christian Nodal

Christian Nodal is one of the best Mariachi artists, pioneering the “mariacheño” style. This style blends traditional mariachi with norteño influences. His debut single Adiós Amor became a massive hit. And his first album, Me Dejé Llevar, won a Latin Grammy, bringing much needed critical acclaim.

Over the years, Nodal has given chart-topping hits like No Te Contaron Mal, Dime Cómo Quieres, and Botella Tras Botella. Here, Botella Tras Botella is one of the first regional Mexican songs that got viral success on streaming platforms.

14. Ángela Aguilar

Ángela Aguilar is the daughter of Pepe Aguilar. She gained international recognition with her 2018 album Primero Soy Mexicana. She also got her first nomination for a Latin Grammy at just 15 years old. Her rendition of La Llorona became a viral sensation, with millions of YouTube views. Speaking of views, you should also explore top YouTube music channels.

She has also collaborated with Christian Nodal for a song Dime Cómo Quieres. She also released En Realidad, which mixes classic mariachi with contemporary elements, making the genre more accessible to new listeners. 

Two Playlist Recommendations

If you are looking for the best mariachi songs to request, you don’t have to search anymore. I’m sharing the two best Mariachi songs playlists. The first is a general Playlist of Mariachi songs and the second one is of my friend’s family’s favourite Mariachi playlist

1. Best Mariachi Songs Playlist

2. A Mexican Family's Favorite Mariachi Songs

Best Mariachi Songs | A Recap

One thing is quite conclusive from our discussion of best Mariachi songs is that classic mariachi music was deeply traditional and about emotional storytelling and national pride. Classic songs often have themes of love, heartbreak, and cultural identity. It was music for celebrations and traditional gatherings, just like its folkloric roots.

Over time, Mariachi music has evolved due to influences like pop, rock, and even urban sounds. Similarly, streaming and social media platforms have expanded its reach. While traditional mariachi is still cherished, today’s artists blend it with contemporary styles, giving us the best mariachi songs for birthday and other celebrations!

There’s a lot to explore about Mexico, and you can start by spicy Mexican food, Mexican sports, and Mexican books. Also, never ever believe in these Mexican stereotypes.

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