Spanish Steps - Fact file - Music

As stars like Ricky Martín and Enrique Iglesias become known around the world, more and more Spanish fans are favouring home grown talent for their musical entertainment. And whereas a few years back chart hits were predominantly in English, now most of the top hits are in Spanish by artists whose success extends right across Spain and Latin America.

Top of the charts is Manolo García, former front man with Spanish group El Último de la Fila, literally 'The Last in Line'. Other groups worth investigating are the strangely named La Oreja de Van Gogh, Van Gogh's Ear, and techno-pop band Mecano, who sold over 16 million albums in Spain throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

There are also several cantautores, singer songwriters, who are captivating audiences at home and are well worth a listen. These include crooners Alejandro Sanz, bullfighter's son Miguel Bosé, and singer Rosana Arbelo. Arbelo is from las Islas Canarias, the Canary Islands, and has a massive following throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Spanish duo Marta and Marilia make up Ella Baila Sola, literally 'She Dances Alone', a young group who have topped the charts with all three of their album releases. Their sound is mellow and chilled. There are also many groups who mix traditional flamenco sounds with more modern beats, such as rumba and salsa. One of the most popular is Manu Chao, who topped the singles charts with the hit Próxima Estación Esperanza, 'Next stop, Hope'. Artists Hevia and Carlos Núñez also make Celtic bagpipe music, typical in Asturias and Galicia, and mix it with dance and pop beats.

If you are in Spain over the summer months, you'll find it hard to avoid the phenomenon of la canción del verano, the summer song. Remember the international hit La Macarena? Every summer sees the release of an equally catchy ditty that is played time and again on the radio and in every single pub, bar and club.

Links

Los 40 Principales - Spain's Top 40 radio station

Terra - Ocio - Música - Spanish music guide

Mecano - a fan site

These links are included for educational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the BBC of the products or services featured.