Hey, amigo, have you ever wondered what the easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners are? If you have, then I’ve got the answer you’ve been searching for. However, if to wish to gang up on the poor karaoke machine, our Best Karaoke Songs for Groups might be a better choice.
The first thing that should be pointed out –even though it’s pretty obvious- is that having even the most basic knowledge of Spanish will go a long way in this endeavor. Most people can handle easy things like “Hola”, “¿Cuánto cuesta?”, and “Hijo de p*ta” (that’s “hello”, “How much?” and “Son of a b*tch”; you’re probably going to use them in that order), but that’s playing on “easy” mode. The issue with Karaoke is that you’re supposed to read the lyrics while you’re singing, and as you’re probably aware, Spanish and English grammar and pronunciation are very different. So, in order to save you much trouble and confusion (or perhaps increase it, I’m not sure) I’ll give you some Spanish pronunciation lessons right here, right now.
Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com
Let’s start with the vowels:
A sounds like “ah” – as in cat, or asteroid.
E sounds like “eh” – as in pet, or event
I sounds like a short “ee” – as in feet, or coffee, but shorter
O sounds like “oh” – as in plot, or poison
U sounds like “oo” – as in foot, or poo
As for consonants, I’ll just mention the tricky ones, and you can check the rest of them out here if you wish.
C and G are tricky because of our grammar rules. Whenever preceding of A, O, or U, C will sound like “cat”, “cold”, or “cool”, and G will sound like “gasp”, “gone”, or “gut”. However, when followed by E or I, C will sound like an S, as it does in “celery”, or “cistern”, and G will sound like an English H (Spanish H is mute), as in “her”, or “hilarious”. For G to sound as in “going” when in front of an E or an I, a U needs to be put in between. The word “guillotine” (which is of French, and therefore shares a Latin root with Spanish) should serve as an example.
H, like I said, is mute, no matter where in the word it’s located, just ignore it. In Spanish, the letter that actually sounds like English H is J. I know, confusing, but you’ll get there. If you need a reminder think of the phrase “No way, José”.
I know what you’re thinking: “If J sounds like H, then wtf sounds like J?” That would be Y, a sound that kind of falls in between “Chair” and “Share”. It’s a similar sound to Y is LL (no typo), which is pronounced exactly like SH, something we don’t have in Spanish. However, Y by itself between two words also means “and” (as in “Mario y Juan”), in which case it’s pronounced “ee”, as well as when found at the end of a word.
The worst part is the R. “The Spanish r is pronounced at the front of the mouth by vibrating the tip of the tongue against the front of the roof of the mouth just behind the upper teeth.” There are two variants to it: single R means single vibration, just a roll of your tongue. However, there’s also this little skank, RR, which demands you to drumroll your tongue against your teeth, maintaining the vibration. It also sounds this way when a letter begins with a single R, but I don’t even know why I’m telling you this, you won’t get it right anyway. Just stick to your R.
So… Quick review:
C+E/I sounds like S
C+A/O/U sounds like C
G+E/I sounds like J
G+A/O/U sounds like G in “goal”
Y sounds like EE when alone or at the end of a word
Y sounds like something in between CH and SH when in the beginning or middle of a word
LL sounds like SH
H alone has no sound
J sounds like H
R is a roll of the tongue
RR is a drumroll of the tongue
At this point, I’m not even sure if this lecture was helpful or harmful, but don’t worry, it really isn’t as hard as it seems. In any case, I’ll translate some of the lyrics for you, so you know what the hell you’re saying, and in some cases, I’ll throw in a little pronunciation too. As for the song selection, I deemed variety in the countries of origin important (on the internet “Latin and Spanish” seems to mean Mexico), as well as popularity on the web, of course. Some websites were also helpful, such as DiaADia, Telegraph, Speaking Latino, and Latin Times, to name a few. Also, I feel that being Latin American and actually knowing these songs in Spanish kind of gives me a higher ground when defining what’s easy and what’s not, so just hear me out. If you want to learn some songs in Spanish, or maybe just want to find out where I’m from, click next and get cracking on those easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners. Mi karaoke es su karaoke!
11. Shakira – Suerte
You may know this easy Spanish karaoke song is great for beginners because -as you’ll realize as you proceed down the list- knowing the English version of the song will make your job a thousand times easier. Colombian singer Shakira’s “Suerte” (meaning “Luck”) is a 2001 song that ranks 11th in our list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners, and one you’re already familiar with, except you know it as “Whenever, Wherever”. The verses are not all-that-easy, but the chorus is, and, apparently, Shakira is a great Spanish teacher, so why don’t you give this one a go?
This is my own translation of the chorus, the idea is basically the same as in English:
Contigo, mi vida
Quiero vivir la vida
Y lo que me queda de vida
Quiero vivir contigo
With you, my love
I want to live my life
Whatever’s left of my life,
I want to live with you
10. Ojalá – Silvio Rodríguez
Cuban singer Silvio Rodriguez’s “Ojalá” (a word that means something between “Hopefully” and “I wish”) is one of the most beautiful songs in Spanish ever written, and the music is as moving as the lyrics. Although it’s supposedly a love song, it’s also considered a political hymn because of the subtext. I think it’s, in fact, the only one in this list that’s not entirely a love song, nor is it a pop song. RESPECT to Silvio Rodriguez, he’s the real MVP here. As for the chorus lyrics:
Ojalá se te acabe la mirada constante
La palara precisa, la sonrisa perfecta
Ojalá pase algo que te borre de pronto
Una luz cegadora, un disparo de nieve
Ojalá por lo menos que me lleve la muerte
Para no verte tanto, para no verte siempre
En todos los segundos, en todas las visiones
Ojalá que no pueda tocarte ni en canciones
Hopefully you’ll run out of that constant smile
Of the precise word, of the perfect smile
Hopefully something will happen that’ll suddenly erase you
A blinding light, a shot made of snow
Hopefully death will take me, at least
So I won’t see you that much, so I won’t see you always
Every second, in every vision
Hopefully I won’t be able touch you, not even in songs*
*(this here is a word play in spanish, where “touch” actually means the same as “play”)
A little tip: “Ojalá” is pronounced “Ohahlah”.
And now, let’s see what else we have in our list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners.
9. Miguel Bosé – Amante Bandido
This 1984 song that ranks 9th on our list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners is so easy you wouldn’t believe; really, anyone can sing this. On a not unimportant side note, check out Spanish singer Miguel Bose when he was young. I mean, for the love of God, just look at that face! He can be my bandit lover anytime. Here’s a translation of the chorus, you don’t really need any pronunciation tips here.
Chorus and translation:
Seré tu amante bandido, bandido
Corazón, corazón malherido
Seré tu amante cautivo, cautivo
Seré ¡ahum!
Pasión privada, adorado enemigo
Huracán, huracán abatido
Me perderé en un momento contigo
Por siempre
I’ll be your bandit, bandit lover
Damaged, damaged heart
I’ll be your captive lover, captive
I’ll be ¡Ahum!”
Private passion, beloved enemy
Hurricane, despondent hurricane
I’ll be lost in a moment with you
Forever
8. Jennifer Lopez – Amor se Paga con Amor
This is one on our list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners of those songs in Spanish that are easy to sing, not only due to pronunciation and rhythm, but also because there’s an English version of it. However, it’s very funny how both versions have very little in common, which makes it hard to choose what translation to put here, but I’ll go with my own.
Piensas que me tienes y ya voy
No le pongas precio a lo que soy
El amor que te doy se paga con amor
Todo para ti tiene un valor
Mira yo ya de una vez soy como soy
El amor que te doy se paga con amor
You think that you’ve got me, here I come
Do not put a price on what I am
The love I give you
Is payed back in love
Everything for you has a value
Once and for all, take a look at who I am
The love I give you
Is payed back in love
7. Alejandro Sanz – Corazón Partío
There’s a great chance you know this song on our list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners, and this Spanish-born singer, since he’s been hitting the Latin and Spaniard top charts for decades. His biggest hit in Latin America (Billboard’s N°1 in 2005) was in collaboration with Shakira, “La Tortura”, and it’s a hell of a song. Unluckily, it’s not an easy one, so you’ll have to settle for “Corazón Partío” (“Broken Heart”), which popularly ranked as one of the easiest Spanish karaoke songs for beginners.
Here’s what the chorus means:
¿Quién me va a entregar sus emociones?
¿Quién me va a pedir que nunca le abandone?
¿Quién me tapará esta noche si haré frío?
¿Quién me va a curar el corazón partío?
¿Quién llenará de primaveras este enero?
¿Y bajará la luna para que juguemos?
Dime, si tú te vas, dime cariño mío
¿Quién me va a curar el corazón partío?
Who’s going to hand me her emotions?
Who’s going to ask me never to abandon her?
Who’s going to cover me if it’s cold tonight?
Who’s going to mend my broken heart?
Who’ll bring the Spring into this January?
And pull down the moon so that we can play?
Tell me, if you leave, my dear,
Who’s going to mend my broken heart?
A little tip: “Partío” is pronounced “Par-tee-oh”.
6- Luis Miguel – No Culpes a la Noche
This is a cover song by Mexican singer Luis Miguel that ranks 6th in our list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners, originally recorded in English by Jackson 5 in 1978 and titled “Blame It on the Boogie”. The name in Spanish -“No culpes a la noche”- however, means “don’t blame it on the night”, which would be exactly the opposite, so maybe someone should get “Luismi” (that’s what we call him) a translator. The song is also known as “Será que No me Amas” (“Maybe you just don’t love me”).
No culpes a la noche
No culpes a la playa
No culpes a la lluvia
Será que no me amas
Don’t blame it on the night,
Don’t blame it on the beach,
Don’t blame it on the rain,
Maybe you just don’t love me
5. Azúcar Moreno – Sólo se Vive Una Vez
Feeling optimistic yet?
This song number 5 on our list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners was released in 1996 by Spanish band Azúcar Moreno (“Brown Sugar”), and it was quite the Carpe Diem Latin hymn of the late 90s. The beat’s not too fast and the lyrics are repetitive and easy, so it should definitely be included in the 11 easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners. There’s really no chorus to this song, so this is how it starts.
Si no quieres aguantar
Y te quieres liberar.
Una frase te diré:
Sólo se vive una vez.
If you don’t want to wait
And you want to break free
I’ll only tell you one thing:
You only live once.
4. Thalía – Amor a la Mexicana
I guess there’s no mystery as to what the origin of this Singer is. That’s right, Mexican.
This 1997 pop song that ranks 4th in our list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners is rated by the Latin Times as one of the best Spanish songs to sing, and I must say I agree. The lyrics, however, are far from being deep or original in any way. Translation:
¡Amor a la mexicana!
De cumbia, huapango y son,
Caballo, bota y sombrero,
Tequila, tabaco y ron
¡Amor a la mexicana!
Caliente al ritmo del sol,
Despacio, y luego me mata,
Mi macho de corazón.
Love to the Mexican girl!
From “cumbia”, “huapango” and “son” *
Horse, boots, and hat
Tequila, tobacco, and rum.
Love to the Mexican girl!
Hot, to the beat of the sun
Slow, and then he kills me
My heartfelt “macho”
*(those are the untranslatable names of some Latin dances. They’re pronounced “coombia” and “Ooah-pan-goh”; “Son” sounds the same)
3. Paulina Rubio – Yo No Soy esa Mujer
Now, how much more respectable are these lyrics to Thalía’s “Amor a la Mexicana”? That’s why -Latin Times or not- this song is further along the list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners. It was recorded in 1999, and being that both Thalía and Paulina Rubio were hot, young, blond Mexican pop stars, you can imagine there’s always been a lot of rivalry going on there.
Yo no soy esa mujer, que no sale de casa
Y que pone a tus pies lo mejor de su alma
No me convertiré, en el eco de tu voz
En un rincón
Yo no soy esa mujer
I’m not that woman, who doesn’t leave the house
Who lays at your feet the best of her soul
I will not turn into the echo of your voice
In a corner
I’m not that woman.
2. Pimpinela – Olvídame y Pega la Vuelta
Home sweet home: we’ve finally arrived to my country, the land of Evita, Che Guevara, and most importantly, Lionel Messi.
This is an Argentinian hit song and it’s almost the top of my list of easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners, not because I’m bias –which I am- but also because it’s featured in every Latin-karaoke-for-gringos ranking I could get my hands on. If you don’t believe me, you can check it out here, here, and here.
The duet responsible for “Olvídame y Pega la Vuelta” (“Forget Me and Turn Back”) song, Pimpinela, are siblings Lucía Galán y Joaquín Galán. Regardless, they are known for singing the cheesiest, corniest, most melodramatic heartbreak love songs… to each other. It’s quite icky.
Check out the video, it’s quite hilarious in a Game of Thrones way. As for the lyrics:
– Por eso vete, olvida mi nombre, mi cara, mi casa
Y pega la vuelta
– Jamás te pude comprender
– ¡Vete! Olvida mis ojos, mis manos, mis labios
Que no te desean
– Estás mintiendo ya lo sé
– Vete, olvida que existo, que me conociste,
Y no te sorprendas, olvida de todo que tú para eso
tienes experiencia
– So go! Forget my name, my face, my house
and turn back
– I never did understand you
– Go! Forget my eyes, my hands, my lips
that want you no more
– You’re lying, I know it
– Go! Forget I exist, that you ever knew me,
and don’t be surprised. Forget it all,
you’re experienced at that.
1. Ricky Martin – Livin’ la Vida Loca
Welcome to N°1 in our easiest karaoke songs in Spanish for beginners list!
Porto Rican singer/hunk/impossible love of mine Ricky Martin released this track in 1999, both in Spanish and English, and it was an instant hit. Now, even though I’m guilty of being a fan, I must admit the lyrics are as shallow as they come, regardless of the language, so it would be utterly pointless to translate them. Instead –since I bet you already know the rhythm perfectly- this time I will provide you with some intensive pronunciation aid, so you won’t miss a beat!
Ella qué será, she’s livin’ la vida loca
Y te dolerá, si de verdad te toca
Ella es tu final, vive la vida loca
Ella te dirá: vive la vida loca
Vive la vida loca, she’s livin’ la vida loca
Eh-jah keh-seh-rah She’s livin’ lah vee-dah loh-cah,
Ee-teh-doh-leh-rah, see-deh fehr-dahd teh toh-cah
Eh-jahs-too-fee-nal, vee-veh lah vee-dah loh-cah
Eh-jah teh dee-rah: vee-veh lah vee-dah loh-cah
Vee-veh lah vee-dah loh-cah, she’s livin’ lah vee-dah loh-cah
That’s it for today! I hope you learned something, and good luck with your karaoke skills.
Class dismissed!
