Top 15 Songs for Every Quincenera

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The playlist of the quinceañera, or “quince,” has evolved with every passing generation, but there are some songs that are consistently played and it would not be a quince without them. A quinceañera is the celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday and her transition from girlhood to womanhood. The Latino/x/e community is a diverse group of people with equally diverse genres of music, so every quinceañera is different and the playlists vary. However, the atmosphere of a quinceañera does not change. It is a celebration that can have hundreds of guests from different places. Family members that may have not seen each other in years, or may have never even met, come together as one. For one rare beautiful night, the entire family celebrates and dances to music that has transcended generations. This article will provide a non-ranked list of the 15 essential songs for every quinceañera.

“lAs MAñAniTAs” by vARious ARTisTs

This song is not only sung on 15th birthdays, but on most birthdays within the Latino/x/e community. “Las Mañanitas” is a piece sung by various artists including Vicente Fernández and Cepillín, a Mexican clown who hosted a Spanish TV show. The timelessness of this song is best captured in the Cepillín version of the song. In his version, Cepillin asked the birthday person how old they are and proceeded to list ages from 1-100. Cepillin then said that their age does not matter and wished the birthday person a happy birthday. In Cepillin’s version, the combination of his soft voice and keyboard at the opening of the song reminds the listener of their past childhood birthdays. The opening is then followed by a loud trumpet that starts the celebration of a wonderful occasion.

“el son de lA negRA” by MARiAchi vARgAs de TecAliTlán

The first version of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Mariachi Vargas for short, was formed in 1898 as a quartet, according to a biography by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. “El Son de la Negra” has become one of their signature songs and is essential for any quinceañera that has a mariachi present. When the lyrics are translated literally, they are a bit of a mystery. However, the opening trumpet of the song draws the listener’s attention while the fast tempo keeps their attention. Even someone who does not know how to dance the fast traditional dance of Ballet Folklorico, cannot help but tap their feet to the steadily increasing tempo. The opening yell, also known as “El Grito,” and synchronized voices of the mariachi make a person release their immense joy in the form of “El Grito.”

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“bAilA esTA cuMbiA” by selenA y los dinos

Is it a quinceañera if there is not at least one song by Selena? Selena y Los Dinos’ “Baila Esta Cumbia” calls their listener to get up and dance to the beat of the cumbia. If the infectious beat of the song does not make a person dance, then it will at least make them bop their head to the sound of the cumbia.

“despAciTo” by luis fonsi And dAddy yAnkee

The lyrics of this song are sensual, to say the least. Due to their content, they cannot be directly quoted. However, this song did what few Latino/ x/e musicians have done. It “crossed over.” In other words, the song gained popularity among both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking listeners. The lyrics might not get the listener’s attention, but the fast yet graceful rhythm takes over the listener’s body and makes them want to yell “despacito.”

“el sinAloense” by vARious ARTisTs

A banda classic. Banda (band in English) is a traditional Mexican music genre that is usually upbeat with dancers performing moves such as dips and jumps in their dance. The song’s loud trumpets at the beginning are a sign for people to get up and dance (or at least learn how to dance banda on the fly).

“lA pueRTA negRA” by los TigRes del noRTe

Norteños are a traditional music genre originating from the northern regions of Mėxico with influences from German polka in its use of the accordion. “La Puerta Negra” is a song about a person who is in love with someone despite their parents disapproving of their love. Like most Los Tigres del Norte songs, the lyrics are deep. But the accordion and brass just make a person want to dance.

This song was originally released in 2015 as a bolero (a Latino music genre with jazz influences) by Natalia Lafourcade, but it was rereleased three years later as a cumbia. The song describes a person who is deeply in love with someone, but the person they are in love with does not feel the same way and only seeks to play with their love. Like the previous song, the lyrics are deep, but the beat and voice of the singer are a cry of emotion.

“lA chonA” by los TucAnes de TijuAnA

Los Tucanes de Tijuana was the first norteño group to perform at Coachella, according to a 2019 Rolling Stone article. What song does a norteño group play to hundreds of festivalgoers? They play “La Chona,” of course. “La Chona” is an upbeat song that combines the cowbell, accordion and several other instruments to tell a story about a woman who becomes the center of attention at a club by dancing the “Quebradita,” a fast traditional Mexican dance that sometimes involves flipping a female partner in the air.

“pRopuesTA IndecenTe” by RoMeo sAnTos

Bachata is a music genre that originated in the Dominican Republic. Romeo Santos’ popularity among bachata listeners in the Dominican Republic and beyond led to him being dubbed the “King of Bachata.” Like “Despacito,” this song cannot be quoted due to the nature of the lyrics. However, the beat and Romeo Santos’ voice transports the listener to the streets of Santo Domingo and makes the listener want to learn how to dance the bachata.

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Celia Cruz, also known as the “Queen of Salsa,” describes life as a carnival in this song. “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” called out those who state that life is bad. Celia Cruz said that life is beautiful if a person chooses to live their life singing rather than crying. Essentially, Cruz said that life is more beautiful if a person chooses to live a life of joy. The trumpets and the percussion of the song only add to the joyous and powerful lyrics.It is not only an ultimate addition to a quinceañera playlist, but it is an epic party song.

“ViVir Mi Vida” by Marc anthony This song is bold. Released in 2013, “Vivir Mi Vida” is about a person declaring that they will live their life to the fullest. The singer chooses to live, laugh, and dance rather than let life roll over them. In the HBO documentary “The Latin Explosion: A New America,” this song was used in the soundtrack to express the pride of being Latino. Listeners are overcome by the trumpets and percussion of the song which create a feeling of freedom.

“tragos aMargos” by raMón ayala y sus braVos nortes It’s not a quinceañera, or a party, if this isn’t the final song played. “Tragos Amargos” is about a

Photos by Becerra Govea

person drinking alcohol to cope with the sadness of being left by their lover. However, the person in the song chose to stay put in case their love returned. Unlike many of the other deep and emotional songs on this list, this is a slower-paced norteño. However, it will make the listener cry out “te voy a esperar (I will wait for you)” even if they have no one to wait for.

“el noa noa” by Juan gabriel

This song is Juan Gabriel’s ode to a nightclub that he frequented in Júarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, according to a 2019 Rolling Stone article. The song not only describes the nightclub as a joyous place “where everything is different” and the atmosphere is friendly, but for four minutes and 17 seconds, it makes the quinceañera a place “where everything is different.” It may be the guitar. Or, it may be the lyrics. It could be a combination of both that creates the feeling of pure joy. Whatever it may be, this is simply a happy song.

“suaVeMente” by elVis crespo

If there is a defining song of the late ‘90s Latino/x/e culture, it is “Suavemente.” This song won two Billboard Latin Music Awards in 1999 and was nominated for a Grammy for best tropical performance. A listener may not know that this song contains a detailed description about being kissed softly upon their first time listening to it. However, Elvis Crespo’s opening lyrics and the gradually increasing tempo of the song will grab the listener’s attention and keep them swaying side to side to the beat of the song.

“el rey” by Vicente Fernández

Vicente Fernández, or as he is sometimes referred to, “Chente,” was not forgotten in the creation of this list. “El Rey,” or “The King” in English, is about a person who has reached the metaphorical top but is lonely. However, the person in the song will continue to live their life the way they desire. Since this is a song sometimes used as the “last call” before the party wraps up, it is only fitting that this list ends with “El Rey.”

The Latino/x/e culture cannot be represented by 15 songs alone. If a reader wants to learn more, they must immerse themselves in the culture. Readers should visit the new upscale Mexican restaurants on Central, but they should also visit the small shops of Mercado de Cielos at Desert Sky Mall in the Maryvale area of Phoenix. The Latino/x/e culture is diverse and beautiful so readers should enjoy the journey of exploring each nationalities’ culture.