Between the first kiss and the last goodbye, the Pueblo team shares a soundtrack that will leave you gagging.
With romance in the air, music is always necessary to get you into that perfect mood. A song is something so beautiful and powerful, but it can also be so personal at the same time. As intense lovers and haters, who represents the two sides of an anthem better than Latin people? That passionate harmony and powerful vocals mixed with the captivating lyrics that hold the fierce and deep emotion you feel for that certain person.
With that, the Pueblo team wanted to each share a love song and anti-love song that we’ve been wanting to talk about. From romantic serenades to breakup anthems, here are some tracks that will be setting the tone for our Valentine’s Day.
Here we go….
Diego’s Pick:
“Todo Cambio” by Camila
As soon as the melodic piano riff hits, you are transported to another universe filled with love and light. “Todo Cambio” by Camila is one of my favorite love songs because it’s so beautiful in the way it details how meeting that one person changed their life. They went from living in a black-and-white world to one of color, and before they could spend more time together, he had to declare his love.
This is the song I would want to play at my wedding because as soon as the chorus hits, I can feel the passion behind the words.
It’s very soothing how they make the bass, drums and guitars sound so harmonious, especially when you take a moment to really listen to the lyrics. With lyrics like “The universe wrote that you were for me, and it was so easy to love you so much,” Camila paints the picture of a man who is truly in love with something he never expected. I don’t usually listen to a lot of male Latino singers, but when this song comes on, I know I have to stop talking and start listening.
“Asi No Te Amara Jamas” by Amanda Miguel
On the other hand, if you need a passionate ballad to belt out about the pain of a relationship’s end, well, then, Amanda Miguel’s 1981 song, “Asi No Te Amara Jamas” encapsulates that same energy. From the beginning, she makes it known that she’s aware of everything her ex is saying about her and that she should probably stop herself and not call. But Amanda’s leaving him a powerful message that no one will ever love him as deeply as she did.
I can imagine her belting out “no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no” as she’s being pulled away from him, letting him know what a huge mistake he’s making. This song’s impact on me is huge because I feel and understand the desperation in her voice as she’s coming to terms with this heartbreak. It captures the essence of a scorned woman as she calls his new girlfriend stupid with the strings slowly building up in the background.
If you need a telenovela-esque song to bring drama and heartache, then this song is for you.
Erika’s Pick:
“Amarte La Antigua” by Pedro Fernadez
Growing up, I remember my mom always playing the radio in the kitchen, and one of the songs I loved hearing was “Amarte La Antigua.” The lyrics are sweet and romantic, expressing a desire for love in a timeless, classic way. The soft melody fills you with a yearning to experience such a sincere and enduring love. Sometimes, this song brings back specific memories, like watching my mom dance or hum along to it while cooking. The combination of the tender lyrics, gentle melody and nostalgia always makes me smile, which is why it’s one of my favorite love songs.
“Rosa Pastel” by Belanova
At first glance, this song seems like a fun, upbeat pop track that radiates playfulness. But if you dig into the lyrics, there’s a deeper story beneath the cheerful sound. It’s about heartbreak and jealousy in a relationship. It’s about feelings of betrayal and being left out, even as you’re still drawn to someone. I love how this song can make me feel happy, even though the lyrics are pretty sad. The beat and the vocals just have such an uplifting energy. It’s a good reminder that emotions are messy; you can have fun and be heartbroken at the same time.
Diana’s Pick:
“Rosas” by La Oreja de Van Gogh
Although I was born the same year this song was released, the early 2000s hit “Rosas” by La Oreja De Van Gogh is a sure way to always have me feeling nostalgic. Honestly, this song is for the yearners, the hopeless romantics and those who have their eyes set on a special someone who does not feel the same way about them anymore.
While this song is supposed to be an ode to an ex relationship, I actually heavily associate this song with my childhood growing up in the 2000s with an older sister who was a teen at the time. The lyrics to this song are sad, but the beat conveys feel-good, pop perfection. When I listen to this song, I imagine being a teenage girl in the 2000s with my hair blowing in the wind as I stare out a car window – something straight out of a telenovela.
I personally love the lyrics of this song because they are sincere and paint the story of someone who is in love and will not settle for anybody else besides the person in their heart. During the chorus of the song, the singer writes about waiting with tears in her eyes for her lover to show up with roses. She then says, “que no importa si es muy tonto, soy asi” which translates to “It doesn’t matter if it’s really silly, that’s just how I am.” This lyric is so sweet to me because she is admitting that she probably looks like a fool for still having hope her ex-lover will one day show up with roses with her, but she does not care. Listening to this song I say to myself “UGH, someone give this girl her roses!”
“Ahora Te Puedes Marchar” by Luis Miguel
Luis Miguel’s song is for anyone leaving a one-sided relationship. The song is an anthem for reclaiming your identity, realizing your worth, and standing your ground. I personally love most of Luis Miguel’s discography, but this song in particular is one of his most well-known songs, and you would understand why as soon as you put your headphones on and press play.
This ‘80s anthem has bold and confrontational lyrics with a beat that is fun and colorful. It is quite literally impossible to skip this song when it comes on. This song transports me to my childhood, sitting in my kitchen while my mom cleaned the house blasting hits from her youth.
I appreciate that the lyrics of this song amplify the importance of not letting someone walk back into your life at their discretion after they failed to cherish you when they had the chance. The lyrics “si tu supieras lo que yo sufrí por ti — y ahora me llamas me quieres ver, me juras que has cambiado y piensas en volver. Si no supiste amar ahora te puedes marchar” translate to “If you only knew what I suffered for you”—”And now you call me, you want to see me, you swear you’ve changed and you’re thinking of coming back. If you didn’t know how to love, now you can leave.” These lyrics are the epitome of realizing your worth. I hope anyone who resonates to this song continues to stand their ground.
Nick’s Pick:
“Piel Canela” by Los Panchos
When looking for a good love song, I’ll always find myself in the 1900s searching for the type of song my parents would’ve listened to. There just seems to be a passion and top-notch music production that makes me come back for more. Songs like “Piel Canela” by Los Panchos excel in these qualities and demonstrate what a good love song should be.
“Piel Canela” is a song that is both simple and soothing. The instruments provide a calming background that lets the gorgeous vocals from the musical trio of Alfredo Gil, Chucho Navarro and Hernando Aviles shine. The lyrics themselves are a beautiful expression of love and adoration for a special someone that I just could not get enough of. To hear such lovely words spoken about someone brings a smile to my face and a need to rewind and listen again.
All of these elements combine for a song that will always be perfect for the season of love.
“Me Voy” by Julieta Venegas
The first few times I listened to Julieta Venegas’ song “Me Voy,” I admittedly did not pay too much attention to the lyrics. I just bobbed my head to the music because Julieta Venegas had a magnificent voice, even though this whole time the lyrics told a depressing story about a breakup.
Fast forward to today, and I still adore her voice and all the passion that came with it on “Me Voy.” I just now understand that the song beautifully expresses the pain that comes with being in a failing relationship and the ensuing breakup in a way that gets you emotional. And even though this is a breakup song, Julieta Venegas does not dwell on the past as she makes it very clear that she is leaving and will be looking for something better, which is awesome to hear in a song like this.
Even though I want to root for love, this is a song I cannot skip.
Annette’s Picks:
“Mucho Corazon” by Luis Miguel
When thinking of Spanish love songs, Luis Miguel is one of the first few artists to come to my mind. While many anti-love songs are a part of my playlist, the few Spanish love songs in there include Luis Miguel. Through this song, Miguel expresses how true affection comes from the heart. Miguel professes that love comes from the soul, without needing a reason. I view this song as a perfect example of a Spanish love song, expressing strong emotions of longing and devotion. Miguel’s power and emotional voice mixed with a bolero ballad makes this song a great example of a love song, showing his confidence in expressing his love for another. While this song was originally composed in 1952, Miguel’s cover that was released as part of his “Romance” album in 1991 is my favorite rendition.
“No Me Queda Mas” by Selena
When I want to belt out a song in my car about heartbreak, “No Me Queda Mas” is my number one pick. This mariachi and pop ballad tells the story of unrequited love, when the singer’s love interest leaves her for another. Nonetheless, the singer still wishes him the best. What I love most about this song is the strong and raw emotion in Selena’s voice that carries passion throughout the song. Her strong and powerful vocals mixed with the mariachi in the background makes this song a classic in my book. While I’m a big fan of Selena, this song always takes the number one spot as my favorite. No matter how many times I listen to it, Selena’s powerful voice transports me into the shoes of a heartbroken woman every single time. This song is a part of Selena’s final album before her death, Amor Prohibido, released in 1994.
Yodaris’s Pick:
“Corazon Sin Cara” by Prince Royce
When I think about some of my favorite love songs, I tend to go back to my roots and dig deep into my Puerto Rican soul. Who better to give me that feeling of ooey-gooey love than Prince Royce’s 2010 hit song “Corazón Sin Cara.” Tenyear-old me heard this song on the radio, at parties and at the store. “Corazón Sin Cara” is the perfect love song because the message is simple — it doesn’t matter what you look like or if you think you’re not perfect, as long as we love each other and have beautiful hearts, that’s all that matters. Prince Royce is able to perfectly capture what love should be — unconditional.
“Lloraras” by Los Terricolas
On the other side of the spectrum, my favorite “anti-love” or breakup song would have to be Los Terrícolas, “Llorarás,” which literally translates to “you will cry.” “Llorarás’” entire vibe is you sitting in the car pretending to be in a sad music video while it’s raining outside. Pain, separation and the lingering feelings of your first love — a beautiful and painful reminder of the one you lost. This song perfectly captures the feelings of being in despair while being heartbroken and I find that to be hauntingly beautiful.
Spanish music is versatile. Whether you’re going through a breakup or falling in love — there’s a song for you.
For the full list of these and additional songs that we hold so dear, check out our love playlist and anti-love playlist that are going to be the representation of your Valentine’s Day mood this year.
Header Image by Noemi Romero
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