Songs for your Cinco de Mayo fiesta ride!
¡Hola, amigos! While many of us think Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s independence, it actually commemorates the Mexican army’s stunning victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Here in the United States, this vibrant holiday has taken on a life of its own, perhaps because we just can’t resist a good fiesta! With the arrival of warmer weather and longer nights, there’s no better time to gather your friends, sip on margaritas, and dance to some amazing Mexican beats.
Our bucket playlist has everything you need to set the perfect Cinco de Mayo vibe (~180 songs). We’ve curated a mix of Mexico’s most iconic musicians and DJs, from the soulful rock of Santana to the romantic ballads of Luis Miguel. You’ll find the mesmerizing guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, the high-energy tracks of Deorro, and the laid-back jams of Chel Mayo. Oh, and don’t forget those classic songs celebrating tequila, margaritas, and Mexico itself.
So kick back with an ice-cold cerveza and turn up the volume. Whether you’re hosting a party, planning a theme ride, or just enjoying the holiday, this playlist will keep the fiesta rolling. ¡Salud!
If you’re looking for some quick choreography, then make sure to check out some of the songs that have been highlighted in previous weekly music posts.
- Meet me on the beach under the shade (Note that this song is actually about Rio, but Santana is from Mexico.)
- Climb until you’re breathless
- Electro Disney—Say what?
- How Many Hours Can You Last?
You may want to include this track by Chel Mayo called “Mexican Rockstar” in your Cinco de Mayo playlist. It’s 85 bpm and would make a great warm-up or recovery track.
We’d love to hear your suggestions for other songs that fit this playlist. If you have a favorite track by a Mexican artist or a song that references Mexico, drop it in the comments below!
And if you’re open to exploring a broader Latin vibe (and aren’t as picky about the artists being from Mexico for your Cinco de Mayo theme ride), check out our massive 300-song playlist for National Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s packed with Latin music from all over the world and is guaranteed to keep the energy high. Click the link to dive into that playlist and keep the fiesta going!
¿Cómo es que El Gladiador Mexicano (Vamos Mexico) por Maná no está en las lista? At 82 bpm, this makes a great song to kick off any Cinco de Mayo profile.
it is now! Thanks, it’s awesome! Might have to do a Cinco de Mayo virtual ride in quarantine!
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Keep up the good writing.
lol. Yeah right. 😉
I almost forgot about Linda Ronstadt’s album “Canciones de Mi Padre”. Possibly some flats (La Charreada), climbs (Rogaciano El Huapanguero) and other songs that could be used for the pre-class period while riders are entering the room and getting set up.
Cafe Tacuba (Mexican pop rock band) has a few – Ingrata, Strawberry Fields, Como te extraño mi amor, Las flores
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs – Matador
Zoé – Soñé, Luna
Ricky Martin – Pégate (unplugged version), La mordidita
Thanks for the suggestions Carmen!
A couple of additions for the list.
Rodrigo y Gabriela’s cover of Stairway To Heaven is good; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEk8wTB7UfU
The Gipsy Kings have a good cover of Hotel California – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUZpoogW_40 I know neither the group nor song are Mexican but it’s in Spanish.
Thanks Ed! The Gipsy Kings are actually from France! (The things I’ve learned while putting this playlist together!) Expect them to make an appearance on our upcoming Latin Beats playlist!
Right. It’s the influence of their parents who were from Catalonia that led them to record in Spanish.