Let’s meet the top 10 Spanish singers of all time. Spain oozes culture and through the years has produced some impressive art and musicians, who together formed the unique musical soundtrack of their land. Here, we have put together a list of the 10 most popular male and female singers in Spanish history. When you go out at night in Spain, you’re sure to hear at least one of these singers’ songs.
1. Rocío Jurado
Rocío revolutionized Spanish music and the ‘copla’ genre by incorporating feminism into the lyrics of her songs. She had an incredibly powerful voice and her provocative attire challenged the morality of the time. During the 70s and 80s, she worked tirelessly between Spain and South America and since passing away in 2006, she has become a Spanish legend.
2. Julio Iglesias
Julio Iglesias is the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world and one of the top record sellers in music history, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide in 14 languages. His career as a romantic singer was meteoric. It all began when he participated in the Eurovision song contest, and in no time his success reached the United States. There he recorded and performed numerous albums in various languages, collaborating with figures such as Diana Ross. He is retired now and living his best life in Miami.
3. Rosalía
Who hasn’t heard of Rosalía? She is currently a world-class superstar. Her rise to fame came with her album “El Mal Querer,” in which she gave traditional flamenco music a modern twist. Since then, her music and sound has developed and her following album “Motomami,” has a unique Rosalia stamp which music lovers worldwide have been loving! Current and future artists are sure to follow the path she has formed.
4. Alejandro Sanz
Another successful flamenco-influenced pop musician who enjoyed a 30 year long career of success. At the beginning of his career he wrote and made music for the attention of a teenage generation and his audience grew up with him, and he is now the favorite of an entire generation of people over 40 who have grown up with his songs. He experimented over time with a multitude of musical styles, but has his own distinctive sound.
5. Aitana
This girl is a budding star, but she’s set to go far. Her style is modern pop and of the 21st-century, and she has collaborated with artists such as Katy Perry. She is a woman of her time and is very active on social media, where she has millions of followers. She comes across as a very normal girl and connects with girls of her age which appears to be a key factor in her success.
6. Nino Bravo
Luis Manuel Ferri Llopis who went by the stage name of Nino Bravo was a Spanish baroque pop and ballad singer. Many would argue he had the most powerful of male Spanish voices. Unfortunately, he passed away at the young age of 27, but during his brief career (1969-1973), he managed to achieve great success that people still remember in Spain and also in other countries throughout America.
7. Mónica Naranjo
Known to her fans as The Panther of Figueres, caused a revolution in the late 90s when she appeared on television singing some of her songs. They quickly became hits, and you could hear her music everywhere at all hours. She has performed with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Rocío Jurado and Mina Mazzini amongst others. Her style is unique, including a mixture of pop, rock, disco, and opera. Her powerhouse of a voice can do it all. She is currently in her prime, and her loyal fanbase follows her wherever she goes.
8. David Bisbal
This humble boy from Malaga participated in a television song contest in 2001, and although he did not emerge victorious, he has gone the furthest and had by far the most success of his pool of competitors. He’s sold more than five million records worldwide and his Latin pop songs have made it to America where they’ve been huge hits.
9. Karina
She was the Spanish pop star of the 60s. She participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, starred in several movies, and some of her songs are still very popular among people of all ages. After many years of silence, she has reemerged and taken to Instagram posting videos which are being very well received.
10. Raphael
Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez, often simply referred to as Raphael, is another one of Spain’s most prodigious voices. Raphael is a melodic singer who has been producing hits since the 60s. He distinguishes himself by the way he interprets songs, injecting oodles of energy and passion. To this day, he puts on a great show, and still hosts massive concerts in Madrid, which are attended by audiences of all ages. His songs hold a special place in the hearts of all Spaniards.
These are just a few of the best Spanish singers of all time. The list could go on, because the musical talent in Spain is infinite. Music is a great, fun way to practice your Spanish. By paying attention to the lyrics of songs, you will learn new colloquial expressions and vocabulary, and it’s a good way for you to improve your pronunciation. Learning Spanish is very easy by listening to our music!
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GLOSSARY:
(1) Copla: Copla, Spanish song or folk song, is an artistic genre of music in Spain.
(2) Meteoric career: When a music or film artist, or any other type, achieves success very quickly, their career is said to be meteoric, comparing their speed to that of a meteor.
(3) Young promise: An artist who has not yet fully succeeded but seems to be destined for a very successful career.
(4) Reaping successes: To reap what you have sown, to have a career full of recognition from the public.
