Spring Cleaning: A Latin Music Playlist That Will Get You Going
Most of us like to multitask
Photo: 123RF
Most of us like to multitask. It’s time-saving and allows us to get twice as much stuff done. We’re thinking our moms were on to something when they blasted music early on the weekends, right before they were about to clean the house. Not only is having a soundtrack while you’re cleaning helpful because it makes us dread the task a little less, but the added bonus is that it really gets you to move. You clean faster and you feel happier, all while listening to your favorite jams.
Listening to our favorite Latino songs while we sing, also gets us in the mood to get our dance on. You’ll find yourself full-out bailando with the broom, belting out the words to each song, and breaking a sweat. You know what that means, right? You’re essentially combining cleaning with a solid cardio workout. What a win-win, multitasking situation! You don’t have to go to the gym before or after you clean, because the workout is literally built into your household chores.Our abuelitas, moms, and tias are geniuses!
We want to keep this tradition of cleaning while jammin’ up, so we made a super-cool, danceable playlist of songs that you probably already know all the words to. It’s a fun mix of those throwback songs that had you on the dancefloor at every wedding, birthday party, holiday party, and Latino family gathering, peppered in with some new jams that you can’t help but dance to. Because sometimes we need that extra motivation to get our place half as sparkling as what our moms’ version of clean is. Grab your Swiffer girl, and let’s get some cleaning — and dancing — done!
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“Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee
Many of us go into straight up autopilot mode the second we hear Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina.” We instantly stop what we’re doing, and get ourselves dancing. The 2004 hit song never gets old. It’s the classic song of the OG reggaeton days, and will always have a place in our hearts. “Gasolina” also makes for the perfect cleaning song. I can just imagine us wiping down the cabinets while yelling out the lyrics. Who said limpiando had to be stressful or boring? This song is exactly what a cleaning-the-house soundtrack jam is supposed to be. One that gets us to clean, dance, and sing along!
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“Tu Sonrisa” by Elvis Crespo
Elvis Crespo was responsible for a lot of Latinxs dancing their butts off in the 1990s and beyond. His music was part of the soundtrack to everyone’s quinceaneras, birthday parties, weddings, and any other Latinx family or friend gathering. If a party is really lit, you better believe those songs will probably still be on the playlist. “Tu Sonrisa” will get you dancing while you’re cleaning, but it will also make you want to smile. Who doesn’t like hearing that their smile makes someone else happy and gives them life? Don’t be surprised if you find yourself smiling and dancing happily while washing the dishes with this jam on.
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“Oye Mi Amor” by Mana
Mana is the Mexican rock band whose music you can’t help but dance to. They have a wide variety of songs you could very easily find yourself jamming out to, but “Oye Mi Amor” is one of their greatest hits. The song came out over 25 years ago, in 1992, but it’s still just as danceable in 2019. That’s why we had to include it in our cleaning and dancing playlist. It will have you gleefully bouncing around the house while you load the washer or dryer. We can all use a little bit of motivation when cleaning, and this song is a great motivator!
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“Techno Cumbia” by Selena
We don’t want a playlist if a Selena song is not on it. Her songs leave us feeling nostalgic while also getting us up and dancing. Let’s admit it, Selena songs make any fan happy. That’s pretty much all we need to get us motivated to get the house squeaky clean and sparkling. There are so many songs to choose from when picking a Selena Quintanilla jam, which gets the party started (even if it’s a party of one in the kitchen), but “Techno Cumbia” is a great selection. It’s not too fast, so you won’t bust your butt while mopping the floors.
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“Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin
When Ricky Martin shook his hips at the 1999 Grammys, he knocked down the doors for so many Latinxs to become megastars in the following years. Martin followed up that legendary performance with the release of his single, “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” The Spanglish megahit had the world speaking Spanish, shaking their hips, and appreciating Latinx music and culture. This high-energy classic jam is the perfect addition to our epic cleaning and dancing playlist. Just be careful! You might exhaust yourself dancing while also trying to clean or get distracted and find yourself in some imaginary ’90s dancefloor dance-off. That’s how addicting this song can be.
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“Quimbara” by Celia Cruz
If you want to dance, feel happy, and get hit with a megadose of orgullo Latino, you have to play yourself some Celia Cruz. La Reina de la Salsa knew how to pack a dancefloor, and her contagious energy was an integral part of her music and her success. “Quimbara,” one of her best-known and best-loved songs, is a jam that generations of Latinxs have danced to and enjoyed. Chances are, they cleaned to it as well. Why wouldn’t you? It’s such a good song and leaves you in that joyful mood Celia Cruz was so known for.
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“Algo Tienes” by Paulina Rubio
Paulina Rubio has been one of the biggest Latinx pop stars for decades now. Many refer to her as the Queen of Latin Pop and with good reason. The Mexican singer’s songs are catchy, filled with women’s empowerment and feminist lyrics, and are straight-up fun to dance to. So of course, we had to add a Paulina Rubio song to our cleaning and dancing list. It wouldn’t make sense not to. Her single “Algo Tienes” is such a model-walk-after-you-just-cleaned-something jam. If you haven’t heard it before (which we highly doubt), you’ll quickly learn why.
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“Give Me Everything” by Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Nayer, & Afrojack
Let’s be honest here, you can’t have a Latinx party jam playlist without including at least one Pitbull song. Seriously. Sure, cleaning isn’t a party per se, but you can make it one, no? Pitbull’s hit single”Give Me Everything” is a catchy song that will make putting away your newly-dried laundry a much more enjoyable task. Why dread cleaning when you can actually have fun and look forward to it, right? Just combine your Saturday morning chores with some dancing cardio and your weekend will already be off to a good start! You can thank us later but for now, just trust!
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“Quiero Bailar” by Ivy Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acOk35Crs7Q
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu3-oYSHAnk/
Taking care of your sanctuary and getting stuff done could feel very empowering. It leaves you with a strong sense of accomplishment. Don’t ever forget it. When you’re listening to a cleaning-the-house soundtrack, you want to be reminded of your strength and the strength of women. How we care for our homes, raise our families, hustle in our careers, and run things, reminds us that we really can do it all. What better song to add to the playlist, than Ivy Queen’s “Quiero Bailar?” The old school reggaeton jam is all about a woman doing what she wants when she wants to do it. Amen to that!
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“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSmooVdlWd_/
“Despacito” was a monster hit, to say the least. Although it was played billions of times, we never really get tired of hearing it. It doesn’t matter how many times the song comes on, we still get up and dance to it because how can we not? So it only makes sense to add it to our cleaning and dancing playlist. It’s up to you if you want to clean despacito or not.
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“Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira & Wyclef Jean
We all love Shakira and her music (though we often miss old-school dark-haired Shakira). The”Hips Don’t Lie” single gives us the perfect excuse to get up and get our dance on, especially when the “let me see you move like you come from Colombia” part comes on. For the rest of the world, this song is still catchy, fun, and great to dance to. Perfect for a soundtrack that will get you happy enough to want to clean.
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“Danza Kuduro” by Don Omar & Lucenzo
“Danza Kuduro,” by Don Omar and Lucenzo, is a great dance jam. Don’t believe us? Look at how many Zumba routines are choreographed to it! It’s a great song to get you moving and it literally tells you how to dance to it within the lyrics. Just don’t slip and fall on your newly-mopped floor because you did the “media vuelta.”
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“X” by Nicky Jam and J Balvin
We’re just going to put it out there that you should be cautious while both cleaning and dancing. Be safe! That being said, we totally discovered that the dance which accompanies the song “X” looks like the perfect jam to wear mop slippers and clean to. We recommend ditching the mop slippers (are those safe?) and just blasting the song while you clean.
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“Dura (Remix)” Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Becky G, & Natti Natasha
https://www.instagram.com/p/BooKBSzDt-P/
It’s cool that we have two songs from Daddy Yankee on this list that are almost 15 years apart. That’s a testament to how dope his music is, and also how timeless. We have included the classic, “Gasolina,” but also had to throw in his 2018 jam, “Dura.” And of course, the remix version with Becky G, Natti Natasha, and Bad Bunny. Prepare to dance your butt off.
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“Conga” by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine
When Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine came out with the single, “Conga,” we all lost it. It was so infectious and Latino yet in English! It was a song that gave us major orgullo Latino, while also taking the world by storm. The intro is perfect for getting you ready to start your next project in the house, while also getting ready to dance.
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“Me Enamora” by Juanes
We had to throw in the Colombian jams in the mix because, of course! These Colombian artists know how to bring it. This chart-topper is bouncy, romantic, and helped the rocker sweep major awards at the 2008 Latin Grammys. It will also help you do another kind of sweeping, that will make your house look perfecto.
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“Intentalo” by 3BallMTY America Sierra, & El Bebeto
Under the super cool musical genre of Tribal/Trival/Tribal-Guarachero, we have the jam, “Intentalo.” It’s a mix of regional Mexican music with electronic dance, and the result is so infectious and danceable that it will definitely help you get your cardio in while checking off tasks on your cleaning chores list. We live for new Latinx genres that come from blending elements of traditional ones.
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“Lloraras” by Oscar D’Leon
Nostalgia gets you, especially when it’s great, and involves music. It can completely transform your mood, make you happier, and transport you to the times when you first enjoyed that song. “Lloraras,” by Oscar D’Leon, is one of those Latinx party jams that will take you back to all those family and friends gatherings. The one that everyone got up from the table or couch to dance to. We can’t wait to try cleaning to it!
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“Havana (Remix)” by Camila Cabello and Daddy Yankee
We have nostalgia covered. But, in order to have a really cool playlist, you also have to include the latest jams. Camila Cabello’s “Havana,” is one of those songs. The hit jam that features Daddy Yankee, is catchy and filled with Latinx pride. We can play this one all day!
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“(Suerte) Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira
In the U.S. and Latin America, during 2001, you probably heard Shakira’s mega-hit song “Suerte,” a million times. You’re probably also familiar with the English version, “Whenever, Wherever.” Both songs are addicting, but we have to admit the Spanish version is definitely better. As a result, we’re including it in this danceable playlist because why not? It’ll make you dance while cleaning, while also have a moment of 2000s nostalgia.
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“Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo
It’s no surprise that we have more than one Elvis Crespo song on this cleaning and dancing playlist. His epic jam, “Suavemente,” gets everyone rushing to the dancefloor — even non-Latinxs. That’s how good it is! Now, imagine the joy you’ll feel when hearing that song and playing it during your cleaning routine. Sounds way more alegre, no?
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“La Tortura” by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz
We promise this is the last Shakira song in this playlist! It’s hard not to include multiple songs of hers. Shaki’s songs are great to dance too, especially “La Tortura” featuring Alejandro Sanz. It’s one of those classic, dance-along-to jams that we have come to expect from her. As part of a cleaning playlist, it’ll help you have enough energy to get la casa looking fabulous and the process won’t be such a tortura. Get it?
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“El Matador” by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
It was released back in 1994, but “Matador,” by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs” is a timeless jam. It will add a pep in your step, and a bounce to whatever you’re doing. That’s why we had to include it. This song will have you limpiando, dancing, and singing along like it’s the only thing you want to do all day.
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“El Cepillo” by Fulanito
You know a song is lit, and going to get the party started when it literally says: “Que comience la fiesta.” Fulanito literally yelled out to us to dance and enjoy ourselves and we’re with it. When you throw on a jam like “El Cepillo,” you just know you’re going to wind up dancing. There’s no question about it. If you happen to be cleaning while you’re doing this, even better. That’s called multitasking.
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“Tiburon” by Proyecto Uno
While we are on a throwback, ’90s music kick, let’s talk about Proyecto Uno. The merenrap group was definitely a part of the soundtrack to our lives during the 1990s. It reminds us of just being young and dancing our hearts out. We are bringing all that to this playlist with their song, “Tiburon.” Because when you need to clean, it’s “no pare, sigue sigue!”
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“I Like It” by Cardi B Ft. Bad Bunny and J Balvin
Cardi B just gives us life. Her confidence and no-nonsense attitude are contagious. “I Like It,” with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, reps for Latinxs everywhere, while also giving us a song we can dance to. Done cleaning early while this song is playing on the playlist? Just take a step back, take a look at the result of you cleaning the house, and sing along “I like it like that.”
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“Mi Gente,” J Balvin and Willy William
Next up on our really cool cleaning and dancing playlist is “Mi Gente,” by J Balvin and Willy William. It is the kind of song that will make wiping down surfaces, scrubbing, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming actually seem like fun. Turn up the volume, forget that you’re doing chores, and enjoy yourself!
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“La Bilirrubina” by Juan Luis Guerra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6vxmoSa1ok
It’s natural to want to add a Juan Luis Guerra song to any happy Latinx playlist that you’ll want to dance to. If it also helps you to get the house clean — even better! “La Bilirrubina” is a classic jam that you can’t help but move to. It’s the perfect motivation to get up super early on a Saturday and get to work in perfecting your house or apartment!
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“Sopa de Caracol” by Banda Blanca
Another song from the ’90s that will get you out of your seat with its energizing beat is Banda Blanca’s classic song, “Sopa de Caracol.” The punta jam is a throwback that we haven’t heard in a while. Because of this and because it’s a great song, you’ll want to instantly get up and bust those moves.
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“La Vida es un Carnaval” by Celia Cruz
Finishing up our cleaning and dancing playlist is a song that will motivate us no matter what we do — Celia Cruz’s “La Vida es un Carnaval.” It reminds us to always be positive and to enjoy life, no matter what cards we’re dealt with. If you’re a neat-freak who is never satisfied with a cleaning job, this one is for you. It doesn’t have to be perfect because life isn’t perfect — but it’s still great.
