28 Rock En Español Songs To Listen To When You Need A Fucking Break From Life

Let's get a mosh pit going and throw some chingadazos.

1. "Lamento Boliviano" by Los Enanitos Verdes

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Y yo estoy aquí/ Borracho y loco/ Y mi corazón idiota/ Siempre brillará/ Y yo te amaré/ Te amaré por siempre/ Nena no te peines en la cama/ Que los viajantes se van a atrasar."

Why you loved it: Because when you're drunk AF and your heart is filled with so much love for someone, you have to sing the chorus of this song out loud so you don't erupt like a goddamn volcano.

2. "Las Flores" by Café Tacvba

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Ayyyyyyyyyyy/ Ven y dime todas esas cosas/ Invítame a sentarme junto a ti/ Escucharé todos tus sueños en mi oído."

Why you loved it: Because this song made you want to get naked and jump into a mosh pit full of love, peace, and understanding, with all sorts of roses and daffodils raining down on you.

3. "Gimme Tha Power" by Molotov

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "¡VIVA MÉXICO, CABRONES!"

Why you loved it: Because this song was a giant "FUCK YOU!" to the racist, xenophobic, and oppressive establishment that cared more about the wealthy than the working class. This became the anthem of the lower class, of immigrants, of Latinos who united to fight off the hate.

4. “Florecita Rockera” by Aterciopelados

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Florecita rockera/ tú te lo buscaste por despertar mi pasión/ Encendiste mi hoguera no tienes perdón/ Te pondré en una matera."

Why you loved it: Because this song spoke to the hardcore '90s punk rocker who had an affectionate sweet spot for pastel colors.

5. "Persiana Americana" by Soda Stereo

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Tus ropas caen lentamente/ Soy un espía, un espectador/ Y el ventilador desgarrándote/ Sé que te excita pensar hasta donde llegaré!"

Why you loved it: Because it's quintessential Soda Stereo, and while the lyrics are a little on the ~creepy~ side, this song will get you tearing up the dance floor at the next quinceañera. And you also miss Gustavo Cerati like crazy.

6. "Sería Feliz" by Julieta Venegas

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Si tuviera respeto de quienes no me toman en cuenta/ Si sólo vieran de lo que soy capaz es eso lo que me falta/ Seguro así sería feliz."

Why you love it: Because this song spoke to the lone wolves, the outsiders, the oddballs, and quirky spirits who often get ignored for simply being themselves. In other words, you.

7. "El Duelo" by La Ley

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Sin dolor no te haces feliz/ Sin dolor no te haces feliz/ Sin AMOOO-oh-oooh-OOOOO-oh-oooh-OOOOO-oh-ooor...No sufres más."

Why you loved it: Because it's LA FUCKING LEY...and Beto Cuevas looks like Snape in the video. Seriously...

8. "La Flaca" by Jarabe de Palo

Memorable lyrics: "Por un beso de la flaca daría lo que fuera/ Por un beso de ella aunque solo uno fuera/ Por beso de de la flaca daría lo que fuera/ Por un beso de ella aunque solo uno fuera/ Aunque solo uno fuera."

Why you loved it: This is the song you listened to while you're smoking a blunt on a hot summer day in Acapulco. The song is super chill and has some very catchy lyrics that'll make you reflect on the flacas you've had in your life.

9. "Entre Dos Tierras" by Héroes del Silencio

Memorable lyric: "Déjameeeeeeee, que yo no tengo la culpa de verte caer/ Si yo no tengo la culpa de verte/ Entre dos tierras estás/ Y no dejas aire que respirar/ Entre dos tierras estás/ Y no dejas aire que respirar/ Who-OOOOOOOOOOOOH!"

Why you loved it: Because it's a power ballad that pulls you in like a long lost lover. Enrique Bunbury's vocals are so freakishly dramatic, and there's passion and angst behind every note in the song. It's epic, in the truest way possible.

10. “Pobre De Ti” by Tijuana No!

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Si no das el trancazo tú/ Te lo da el de la esquina/ Lo sabes/ Si no das el trancazo tú/ Te lo da el de la esquina/ Lo sabes."

Why you love it: There are times in life when some motherfucker comes out of nowhere and punches you for no goddamn reason, and then somehow, you're the one who goes to jail, and you think to yourself, "How the hell did I end up in here?" This song is about how life chews you up and spits you out, and there's nothing you can do about it but throw yourself into a skank pit.

11. "Lobo Hombre en París" by La Unión

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "La luna llena sobre París/ Ha transformado en hombre a Dennis."

Why you loved it: This song is all around amazing, but special praise needs to be given to Luis Bolín's astounding bass, which makes this song truly iconic. As soon as you hear that bass, you'll want to put on some Jean-Luc Godard sunglasses, light up a cigarette, and walk into a black and white cafe.

12. "Triste Canción" by El Tri

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Ella existió solo en un sueño/ él es un poema que el poeta/
nunca escribió/ y en la eternidad los dos/ unieron sus almas para darle vida/
a esta triste canción de amor/ a esta triste canción de amor."

Why you loved it: This might not only be the greatest "Rock en Español" song in existence, this very well could be the greatest rock song EVER. It's got everything, from perfect instrumentation to Alex Lora's raspy voice that sings some simple yet deeply poetic lyrics.

13. "En el 2000" by Natalia y La Forquetina

youtube.com

Memorable lyrics: "En el 2000/ Martha es una lombriz/ Que no deja de mirar, de criticar/ Toda la gente/ De dividirla, de ser racista/ existen fresas, ricos, pobres, mexicanos y panistas."

Why you loved it: Because this was the ultimate pop-rock anthem that captured your coming-of-age rockera story. Plus, Natalia Lafourcade's playful lyrics made this song catchier than Gael García Bernal.

14. "En Algún Lugar" by Duncan Dhu

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "No hay camino que/ Llegue hasta aquí/ Y luego pretenda salir/ Con el fuego de/ El atardecer arde la hierba."

Why you loved it: Because it's '80s AF and everybody loves a feel good '80s nostalgia tune. From the instrumentation to the music video, Duncan Dhu really packed on the '80s music tropes. Even the video is filled with '80s experimental video techniques. It's just really fucking '80s.

15. "Dormir Soñando" by El Gran Silencio

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Duerme soñando/Con tus ojos tan llenos despiertos/ Con tu corazón lleno y radiante/ Alucinante/ lleno de amoooor/ lleno de amo-OH-or/ lleno de amoooor/ lleno de amo-OH-or."

Why you love it: Because this was the PERFECT song to wake you up in the morning and get your day started. Seriously. Put this song as your alarm song and watch your life get so much better.

16. "Amnesia" by Inspector

Memorable lyric: "Ya no recuerdo tus caricias/ Ni tu cuerpo junto al mío/ Ya no recuerdo hoy tus besos mujer/ Mi corazón está vacío."

Why you loved it: Apart from being a trippy song that mixes ska, reggae, and '60s rock, it also brings together three legendary "Rock en Español" vocalists — Big Javy from Inspector, Roco from Maldita Vecindad, and Rubén Albarrán from Café Tacvba. It's the perfect musical trifecta that comes once in a lifetime.

17. "Devuélveme a Mi Chica" by Los Hombres G

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Sufre mamón/ Devuélveme a mi chica/ O te retorcerás/ Entre polvos pica-pica."

Why you loved it: Because we all wanted to douse our enemies with fiber glass dust...plus it's catchy AF.

18. "Perdí Mi Ojo De Venado" by Caifanes

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Hazme una limpia por favor, amor/ despójame de todo mal carnal/ quema mi ramo por favor, amor/ antes que yo te queme a ti, a ti."

Why you loved it: There's never been a better song about brujeria than this one.

19. "El Recuerdo de los Daños" by Gloria Trevi

youtube.com

Memorable lyrics: "Oooh no! no, no, no/ no, no puedo reponerme/ de tu forma tan cruel de abrazarme/ si sabías que no ibas a amarme/ ¿qué ganabas?/ ¿qué ganabas?/ con besarme."

Why you loved it: Because Gloria Trevi brought machismo into the spotlight and got real about male violence against women. This pop-rock classic made you ugly cry from the very first note. The music video is equally disturbing and depressing.

20. "Cuando Seas Grande" by Miguel Mateos

Memorable lyric: "Nene, nenene, ¿qué vas a ser cuando seas grande?/ Nene, nenene, ¿qué vas a ser cuando seas grande?/ ¿Estrella de Rock and roll?¿Presidente de la Nación?/ Nene, nenene, ¿qué vas a ser cuando alguien apriete el botón?"

Why you loved it: Because all of us, at one time or another, rebelled against our parents' wishes...and turned out OK.

21. "Tren al Sur" by Los Prisioneros

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Y no me digas ¡pOOOHbre!/ Por ir viajando así/ ¿No ves que estoy contEEEHnto?/ ¿No ves que voy feliz?"

Why you loved it: Because this was the perfect song to listen to after a messy break up and you wanted to get away from everything...and hop on a train to the south of Chile.

22. "Solin" by Maldita Vecindad

BMG Ariola

Memorable lyric: "Soy el Gran Solin/ Leo las cartas/ Veo el futuro/ Hipnotizo/ Soy el Gran Solin!"

Why you loved it: Because the lyrics to this song were odder than a two-dollar carnival, and Roco's voice made you want to get up and dance in a magical skank pit, full of other oddballs and criminal magicians. Plus, it's got a sick riff.

23. "Matador" by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Viento de libertad sangre combativa/ En los bolsillos del pueblo la vieja herida/ De pronto el día se me hace de noche/ Murmullos, corridas/ Aquel golpe en la puerta, llego la fuerza policial/ Papapao, ma matador/ Mira hermano en que terminaste/ Por pelear por un mundo mejor."

Why you loved it: This song is a musical shot of adrenaline. But, more importantly, the song talks about the forced disappearances that occurred in Argentina between the late '70s and early '80s. Really dark subject matter for such an upbeat song.

24. "Mi Playa" by Ely Guerra

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Te regalo mi sol/ Mi luz/ Mi playa..."

Why you loved it: For those in a romantic relationship ("romantic" means you've already said "I love you," so no Tinder dates), do this: Download this song onto your music device. Pick up your S.O. wherever they are, blindfold them, and plug their ears with some earplugs. Drive them to the most isolated beach you can find, preferably on a warm night with a full moon. Once you get to the beach, take them to the shore, where the water delicately splashes against their feet. Remove their earplugs and have them put on some noise canceling headphones. And then push play. Wrap your arms around them as you slowly remove the blindfold. Cherish the moment. Live in the moment. Embrace the connection between your souls, as they blend momentarily into one. Let the music burn into your hearts, and let the emotion take over your body. This will be THE moment that will stay with you for as long as you live.

25. "Corazón Espinado" by Carlos Santana ft. Maná

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Y cómo duele como duele el corazón/ Cuando uno es bien entregado/ Pero no olvides mujer que algún día dirás/ Ay ay ay cómo me duele el amor."

Why you loved this song: CARLOS. SANTANA'S. GUITAR. RIFFS.

26. "Lucha de Gigantes" by Nacha Pop

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Deja de engañar/No quieras ocultar/ Que has pasado sin tropezar/ Monstruo de papel/ No sé contra quien voy/ O es que acaso hay alguien mas aqui?"

Why you loved it: This '80s pop-rock classic has many interpretations, but one thing is for sure: This is the song that you play while you're having dangerous, passionate, dirty sex in a puddle of joyful mascara tears and nervous sweat. Watch Amores Perros. You'll know what I'm talking about.

27. "Hacer el Amor Con Otro" by Alejandra Guzmán

Memorable lyric: "Sin tus uñas arañándome la espalda/ Sin tus manos que me estrujan todo cambia/ Sin tu lengua envenenado mi garganta/ Sin tus dientes que torturan y endulzan yo no siento nada."

Why you loved it: We all have that one person who you just click with on an emotional and sexual level. When you have to move on from that person, trying to recreate that connection with someone else is damn near impossible. And you're left in emotional limbo, longing for that person who just got you. This song depicts the reality of loveless sex.

28. "Molinos de Viento" by Mägo de Oz

youtube.com

Memorable lyric: "Bebe, danza, sueña/ Siente que el viento/ Ha sido echo para ti/ Vive, escucha y habla/ Usando para ello/ El corazón/ Siente que la lluvia/ Besa tu cara/ Cuando haces el amor/ Grita con el alma/ Grita tan alto/ Que de tú vida, tú seas/ Amigo el único actor."

Why you loved it: Because this song made you want to go through the Scottish countryside mounted on a horse, strapped with two JVC boomboxes blasting this rock classic, while wielding King Arthur's sword and yelling "¡A CHINGAR A SU MADRE!"

Push pause on your life and push play on this playlist: