These Salsa Songs Are Everything You Need At Your Next Dance Party
A widely popular dance/music genre, salsa has spread throughout the Americas since its origins in the mid 1970s. Whether dancing for fun or competitions, it takes a lot of practice to perfect the moves and go along to the rhythm. With salsa music loved for generations, here are 20 songs to include in your playlist.
1. “La Salsa De Puerto Rico” – N’Klabe
Credit: N’Klabe. Digital Image. Facebook. January 7, 2017.
Starting off upbeat, La Salsa De Puerto Rico is the song to blast if you are ready to dance to from the get-go. It will electrify your space and your body will feel so alive.
2. “Toro Mata” – Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco
Credit: Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco. Digital Image. Latino Music Cafe.
Toro Mata is definitely a song to warm up to or dance to if you are a beginner. A classic song, it has a relaxed and fun feel. Plus, you can never go wrong with Celia Cruz.
3. “Mi Gente” – Héctor Lavoe
Credit: Héctor Lavoe. Digital Image. El Heraldo. June 29, 2018.
A slower rhythm, “Mi Gente” can be played in a friendly social setting while preparing for some dance competition.
4. “Ese Hombre” – La India
Credit: La India. Digital Image. NBC Latino. March 22, 2013.
“Ese Hombre” starts off soft and in less than half a minute, hits off with the quick rhythm. This is a song to use to build up your dance to the ultimate dance experience.
5. “Tengo Ganas” – Víctor Manuelle
Credit: Víctor Manuelle. Digital Image. Peer Music.
“Tengo Ganas” translates to “in the mood”, which is exactly how you feel about dancing when you play this song. It is just the best mood setter, tbh.
6. “Tu Cariñito” – Puerto Rican Power
Credit: Puerto Rican Power. Digital Image. iTunes – Apple.
Beginning with beats and pauses, “Tu Cariñito” offers a dramatic vibe to add bigger movements in your dance. You won’t regret it when you turn it on.
7. “Acucuye” – DLG
Credit: DLG. Digital Image. Spotify.
“Acucuye” gives the feel of just wanting to dance for fun so this is a song if play for good laughs and great times.
8. “Me Vas A Extrañar” – Yiyo Sarante
Credit: Yiyo Sarante. Digital Image. La Prensa Salsera.
If you’re feeling competitive while in a relaxed mood, “Me Vas a Extrañar” gives a feel good vibe while having a fast paced rhythm to jam on the dance floor.
9. “Cali Pachanguero” – Grupo Niche
Credit: Grupo Niche. Digital Image. Youtube.
Another dramatic rhythm, “Cali Pachanguero” will have you shuffle onto the dance floor to show off your moves.
10. “Herencia Rumbera” – Roberto Roena
Credit: Roberto Roena. Digital Image. Amazon
“Herencia Rumbera” starts off slow and builds up to salsa dance groove, making it the perfect song to warm up your energy and kicking off your moves.
11. “Lloraras” – Oscar D’Leon
Credit: Oscar D’Leon. Digital Image. Peru.
A smooth jam, “Lloraras” would be a great song to dance to when finishing off a dance session or to cool down.
12. “Sin Un Adiós” – Grupo Bananas
Credit: Grupo Bananas. Digital Image. Youtube.
Prepared to own that dance floor? “Sin Un Adiós” will have you challenge your dance moves with its speedy tempo.
13. “Rebelion” – Joe Arroyo
Credit: Joe Arroyo. Digital Image. LA FM.
A slow paced 6-minute song, warm up your muscles to prepare showing off your speedy dance moves.
14. “Mi Ritmo Te Llama” – Ray Barretto
Credit: Ray Barretto. Digital Image. Shazam.
Impress your dance partner when dancing to “Mi Ritmo Te Llama.” Very upbeat, the vibe is sure to power through your salsa dancing.
15. “Asi Es La Vida” – Willie Colón
Credit: Willie Colón. Digital Image. Living Out Loud LA’s.
An 80s classic, “Asi Es La Vida” will have you happy, energized, and wanting to dance more.
16. “Boranda” – Sonora Ponceña
Credit: Sonora Ponceña’s. Digital Image. Cionoticias. April 28, 2011.
A suspenseful buildup, put your focus into the song to feel the dance flow through your body. After all, this song is under Sonora Ponceña’s album “Energized.”
17. “Alto Songo” – Ibrahim Ferrer
Credit: Ibrahim Ferrer. Digital Image. Gorillaz Wiki.
A happy and lively tune, your best version of yourself will definitely sine through when dancing.
18. “No Podras Escapar De Mi” – Willie González
Credit: Willie Gonzáles. Digital Image. Washington Hispanic. February 10, 2017.
“No Podras Escapar De Mi” will make you feel like you have dance chemistry with your partner. A song to play to leave the night with some good times.
19. “Caricias Prohibidas” – Viti Ruiz
Credit: Viti Ruiz. Digital Image. Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.
Kick off lively times with “Caricias Prohibidas.” Bring together your friends and dance to this song for a night to remember.
20. “Valio La Pena” (Salsa Version) – Marc Anthony
Credit: Instagram @marcanthony
It will definitely be worth it to dance to “Valio La Pena,” for its upbeat rhythm with make you naturally lead you and your partner feel rich in dance moves.
