Learn Spanish with Tejano Music with these 21 Song Recommendations (Full Translations Included!)

Tejano
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning Spanish with Tejano is a great way to learn Spanish! Learning with music is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. So music and song lyrics are a great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning Spanish!
Below are 21 Tejano song recommendations to get you started learning Spanish! We have full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs recommended below, so check out all of our resources. We hope you enjoy learning Spanish with Tejano!
CONTENTS SUMMARY
1. Desvelado (Sleepless)
Bobby Pulido
Será fe que yo encontré
Una voz de ternura
Que me llena de placer
Cuando la oigo hablar
Could it be faith that I found
A voice of tenderness
That fills me with pleasure
When I hear her speak

“Desvelado” captures the restless thrill of falling in love with a stranger you have only heard, not seen. Bobby Pulido tells the tale of a hopeless romantic who hears a tender, angel-like voice on the radio and is instantly swept away. Unable to forget that sound, he roams the night streets wide awake, scanning the sky for a guiding star and dreaming of the moment he can finally hold the owner of that voice.

At its heart, the song blends Tejano rhythms with universal emotions: longing, insomnia, and the intoxicating pull of imagination. Each chorus repeats his sleepless quest, showing how desire can energize yet exhaust us at the same time. Listeners are invited to feel the pulse of Tejano music while empathizing with the sweet torture of loving someone who exists only in dreams and late-night radio waves.

2. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom
Selena
Cada vez
Cada vez que lo veo pasar
Mi corazón se enloquece
Y me empieza a palpitar
Every time
Every time that I see him pass
My heart goes crazy
And it starts to beat

Feel that rhythmic bidi bidi bom bom in your chest? That is exactly what Selena captures in this joyous Tejano classic. The lyrics paint the scene of a young woman who simply cannot keep her cool whenever her crush strolls by or speaks. Her heart skips, trembles and practically breaks into song of its own, echoing the playful onomatopoeia of the title—bidi bidi bom bom—a sound that imitates a racing heartbeat.

Musically bright and lyrically simple, the track celebrates the sweet rush of new love: the dizzy knees, the runaway thoughts, the uncontrollable smile. Selena, the beloved Mexican-American “Queen of Tejano,” turns this universal feeling into a danceable anthem, reminding listeners that sometimes the best way to describe love’s excitement is not with words at all but with the carefree beat of your heart.

3. Más Humano (More Humane)
Latin Mafia
Que ya quiero bailar y gritar
Que ya no duele igual
Que después de un punto final
Ya no hay más que escribir ni contar
That I want to dance and scream now
That it doesn't hurt the same anymore
That after a final period
There's nothing else to write or tell

Latin Mafia turns heartbreak into a bittersweet dance-floor confession. “Más Humano” zooms in on that raw instant after a relationship’s full-stop, when you say the pain is gone but every saved photo and late-night message still flashes in your mind. The singer wants to bailar y gritar and insists “ya no duele igual,” yet the memories tug him backward, proving that moving on is rarely a straight line.

What makes the song special is its mix of ache and gratitude. Loving this person stole his calm and caused damage, yet it also made him más humano—more real, vulnerable, and alive. By thanking the ex a diario, the chorus flips heartache into a lesson in growth. The result is an anthem for anyone who has danced through pain and discovered that every break can sculpt a stronger self.

4. La Llamada (The Call)
Selena
¿Bueno?
Soy yo mi amor
Antes de que me cuelgues nomás déjame explicar que
No me vuelvas a llamar
Hello?
It’s me, my love
Before you hang up on me just let me explain that
Don't call me again

“La Llamada” is a fiery Tejano breakup anthem about knowing your worth and cutting ties with someone who has betrayed your trust. The song opens like a phone call, but the conversation is short-lived: Selena’s narrator has already seen her partner kissing another woman, so she refuses to listen to his excuses. Each sharp, rhythmic verse reinforces her resolve—no more lies, no more second chances, no more calls.

As the accordion and percussion push the track forward, Selena delivers a message of empowerment: when respect is gone, hanging up is the strongest reply. By the chorus, she turns the phone into a symbol of self-respect, promising to “colgar” (hang up) every time he tries to reach her. “La Llamada” celebrates standing firm, shutting the door on deceit, and dancing away with confidence.

5. LOS DOS (BOTH)
Grupo Frontera, Morat
Va un mes que en mi cabeza tengo el mundo al revés
Aún sigue en mi cajón tu vestido
Y tú no te has ido
Pensando en que el viernes será otro más de esos típicos viernes
It's been a month since in my head I have the world upside down
Your dress still remains in my drawer
And you haven't left
Thinking that Friday will be another one of those typical Fridays

“Los Dos” pairs the accordion-driven pulse of Tejano with the storytelling warmth of Morat to paint a vivid picture of heartbreak in denial. The narrator has spent a month living al revés, clinging to a dress in his drawer and a voice note he cannot delete. Friday nights that once meant dancing at “our bar” are now empty rituals filled with shots and memories. He keeps pretending nothing hurts, but every beat exposes how badly it does.

Across the song we hear three desperate games:

  1. Pretend the breakup never happened – He acts like the world will not end each time she leaves.
  2. Drown the pain in alcohol – “Qué mierda estar borracho sin ti” sums up how hollow the buzz feels without her.
  3. Hold on to digital ghosts – He burns a voice message yet cannot erase it, hoping silence will somehow make her stay.

“Los Dos” is a catchy yet bittersweet anthem about fooling yourself in order to survive the first shock of loss. Its lively Tejano rhythm invites you to dance, while its lyrics remind you that some songs are meant to make your heart sway as much as your feet.

6. Fotos Y Recuerdos (Pictures And Memories)
Selena
Fotos y recuerdos
Tengo una foto de ti
Que beso cada noche antes de dormir
Ya está media rota ya se está borrando
Photos and memories
I have a photo of you
That I kiss every night before sleeping
It's already half torn, it's already fading

Fotos y Recuerdos invites us into a world where love survives only in snapshots. Selena’s narrator kisses a worn, tear-stained photo every night, trying to keep the warmth of a shy first kiss and a joyful party alive. As the picture fades, her memories fight to stay vivid, showing how fragile and precious love can feel when the person is gone.

Wrapped in a lively Tejano groove, the song blends upbeat accordion riffs with bittersweet lyrics, creating a dance between joy and longing. Listeners sway to the rhythm while sensing the ache of nostalgia, learning that sometimes the only souvenirs of love are exactly what the title promises: photos and memories.

7. ME HIZO UN FAVOR (SHE DID ME A FAVOR)
Grupo Frontera
En tu historia eres la víctima pero la cosa cambia si yo hablo
Me mandó al infierno pero hace rato que ya dormía con el diablo
Me dijeron que querías volver, pero tranquila, ya no es necesario
Yo pensé que si se iba, iba a morirme, pero todo lo contrario
In your story you're the victim but things change if I speak
She sent me to hell but a while ago I was already sleeping with the devil
They told me that you wanted to come back but calm down it's not necessary anymore
I thought that if she left, I was going to die, but quite the opposite

Imagine believing a breakup would shatter you, only to discover it set you free! ME HIZO UN FAVOR is Grupo Frontera’s Tejano-flavored victory lap. The narrator flips the script: he isn’t the victim at all—the ex did him a huge favor by leaving. With cheeky lines about already sleeping with the devil, shout-outs to Maluma’s Amor de Mi Vida and Ozuna’s El Farsante, and a chorus that literally thanks the ex, the song turns potential heartbreak into a joyful declaration of relief.

Every lyric pulses with liberation: more friends, more life, more love “desde que no te tengo”. What sounds like a goodbye becomes a celebration of self-worth and new beginnings. So when you sing along, you’re not mourning lost love; you’re dancing away the drama, raising a glass to fresh starts, and smiling at the sweet reminder that losing the wrong person can be the best gift of all.

8. Cobarde (Coward)
Selena
Tú me prometiste que pronto ibas a volver
Que ya nunca más recordarías el ayer
Que no pensarías más en aquella mujer
Y hasta me juraste que mío querías ser
You promised me that you'd soon come back
That you'd never remember yesterday again
That you wouldn't think anymore about that woman
And you even swore that you wanted to be mine

Feel that fiery Tex-Mex rhythm? In Cobarde (“Coward”), Selena turns heartbreak into a Tejano showstopper. She recounts how a lover showered her with promises: he swore he’d forget his past, claimed her love was his cure, and convinced her to give everything—no questions asked. When time reveals his words were empty, she calls him out as a cobarde, a coward who runs away instead of facing the truth.

Yet this is no sad lament. Selena sings with a confident spark, warning that sooner or later he will remember the woman who loved him sincerely. The song blends disappointment with empowerment, inviting listeners to dance while embracing self-respect. It is a catchy reminder that broken promises say more about the one who breaks them, and that courage belongs to those who move on—con ritmo y corazón.

9. Como La Flor (As The Flower)
Selena Y Los Dinos
Yo sé que tienes un nuevo amor
Sin embargo, te deseo lo mejor
Si en mí no encontraste felicidad
Tal vez alguien más te la dará
I know that you have a new love
However, I wish you the best
If in me you didn't find happiness
Maybe someone else will give it to you

Selena turns heartbreak into poetry in “Como La Flor.” The singer speaks to a former lover with surprising grace: “I know you have a new love… I wish you the best.” Yet beneath her kind words blooms deep pain. She compares their relationship to a once-vibrant flower. He gave her that blossom of love, but now it has withered, leaving her to walk away, admit defeat, and whisper the aching refrain: “Ay, cómo me duele”“Oh, how it hurts.”

Listening, we feel the bittersweet mix of acceptance and sorrow. Selena shows that real strength lies in letting go while still honoring what was beautiful. Even if the flower has faded, the memory of its color reminds us how powerfully love can bloom, and how sharply it can sting when it’s gone.

10. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom
Selena Y Los Dinos
Bidi bidi bom bom
Bidi bidi bom bom
Bidi bidi bom bom
Bidi bidi
Bidi bidi bom bom
Bidi bidi bom bom
Bidi bidi bom bom
Bidi bidi

Feel that rhythmic flutter in your chest? That is exactly what Selena captures in “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.” The playful phrase mimics the pounding heartbeat that takes over every time she sees or hears her crush. In the verses, her corazón “se enloquece” (goes crazy), her legs shake, and her thoughts disappear, leaving only the joyful bom bom beat echoing through her body. It is a musical way of saying, “I am so in love, even my heart is singing!”

Beyond the catchy hook, the song is an invitation to embrace the carefree rush of first love. Blending cumbia with pop, Selena paints romance as a dance where words are replaced by sound, movement, and pure emotion. Whenever this tune plays, the heart cannot help but join in—bidi bidi bom bom—celebrating the universal language of music and the universal feeling of love.

11. No Quiero Saber (I Don't Want To Know)
Selena
No quiero saber de más problemas ya
Hay un lugar lleno de música y diversión
Por eso sólo invito al joven de corazón
Hay mucha armonía
I don't want to know about more problems anymore
There is a place full of music and fun
That's why I only invite the young at heart
There is a lot of harmony

Selena’s “No Quiero Saber” is a vibrant invitation to leave every worry at the door and dive head-first into a fiesta of music, dance, and pure alegría. Singing in her signature Tejano style, the star tells us she doesn’t want to hear about more problems or global wars; instead, she directs our attention to a magical place “lleno de música y diversión,” where only the young-at-heart are welcome. The repeated lines about harmony and constant joy paint a scene where life is one endless celebration and the soundtrack never stops.

Behind the irresistible rhythm, Selena delivers a simple yet powerful message: life is beautiful, so live it to the fullest. By tossing troubles to the wind, singing together, and choosing love, we can spark real change and make tomorrow “un día digno de esperar.” It’s an upbeat reminder that positivity is contagious, unity can transform the world, and every day offers a fresh chance to dance, smile, and enjoy the maximum that life gives us.

12. Amor Prohibido (Forbidden Love)
Selena Y Los Dinos
Con unas ansias locas quiero verte
Hoy
Espero ese momento en que
Escuche tu voz
With some crazy longing I want to see you
Today
I wait for that moment when
I hear your voice

“Amor Prohibido” is a vibrant Tejano-pop classic in which Selena gives voice to two sweethearts who can hardly wait to meet in secret. Their hearts race with unas ansias locas—a crazy, urgent longing—yet every stolen moment is shadowed by gossiping neighbors and disapproving parents who label their bond a forbidden love simply because they come from different social classes.

Instead of bowing to that pressure, the singer turns defiance into celebration. She declares that true affection is worth more than any fortune, shining a spotlight on love’s power to ignore economic lines and social rules. With its catchy accordion riffs and confident chorus, the song becomes a joyful reminder that “el dinero no importa” when two hearts beat as one.

13. Techno Cumbia
Selena
Si vienen a bailar, pues vamos a gozar
Si vienen a dormir, salgan fuera de aquí
Este es el ritmo de mi Cumbia que te va a mover
La Techno Cumbia que te traigo te dará el placer
If you come to dance, then we'll have fun
If you come to sleep, get out of here
This is the rhythm of my Cumbia that is gonna move you
The Techno Cumbia that I bring you will give you pleasure

Get up and move! Selena’s high-energy track “Techno Cumbia” is a playful invitation to leave your chair behind and hit the dance floor. Blending traditional Mexican cumbia with 90s club beats, she creates a brand-new rhythm that promises fun from “la cabeza a los pies.” The lyrics serve as a friendly challenge: if you came to party, stay, but if you plan to nap, the door is that way. Every “hey, hey” pulls the crowd together, turning the room into one big fiesta where resting is not an option.

Selena’s humorous shout-outs to friends who refuse to dance—Juan with muddy shoes, María glued to her chair, José slowed by too many beers—remind listeners that excuses have no place on this floor. With each chorus of “le mueves para acá, le mueves para allá,” she teaches the simple steps of this fresh hybrid style, urging everyone to dance until they sweat. In short, “Techno Cumbia” is a musical pep talk that mixes cultures and generations, proving that rhythm and joy are universal invitations to move.

14. Quiero (Wanna)
Selena
Quiero, quiero que me digas que me quieres con todo tu corazón
Quiero, quiero que me des un beso y que me des tu amor, por favor
Tengo, tengo que tenerte y me muero sin tu calor
Te quiero, te quiero
I want, I want that you tell me that you love me with all your heart
I want, I want that you give me a kiss and that you give me your love, please
I have, I have to have you and I'm dying without your warmth
I love you, I love you

Get ready to feel the rush of first love! In Quiero, Mexican-American superstar Selena repeats the word quiero (“I want”) like a heartbeat, turning the song into an irresistible plea for affection. She begs her crush to say “I love you,” seal it with a kiss, and share a warmth so powerful that she “dies” without it. The upbeat cumbia-pop rhythm keeps things light and danceable, yet every line brims with sincerity.

Selena dreams big: life juntitos (together), eternal happiness, and a love felt “con el alma” (with the soul). The dramatic cry “Mátame con tus ojos” (“Kill me with your eyes”) shows how intense her desire is. At its core, the song celebrates the courage to voice what the heart longs for and the hope that love will be returned just as strongly.

15. Ya No (Not Anymore)
Selena
Ya supe todo, y ya puedes marcharte
Esto ya es mucho, y no puedo perdonarte
Vete con ella o quien sea, no me importa
Pero no vuelvas más aquí
I already found out everything, and you can leave now
This is too much now, and I can’t forgive you
Go with her or whoever, I don’t care
But don’t come back here again

“Ya No” feels like a glitter-dusted goodbye letter set to an infectious Tejano groove. In it, Selena discovers her partner’s betrayal and flips heartbreak into fierce empowerment. Rather than wallow, she returns every gift, slams the door on late-night calls, and declares with catchy conviction, “¡Ya no!”—“Not anymore!”

The song celebrates self-respect and the courage to walk away when love turns dishonest. Each verse is a confident reminder that her heart, her passion, and even her kisses are now off-limits, transforming pain into pride. It is a vibrant anthem for anyone ready to trade tears for dancing shoes and reclaim their joy.

16. IBIZA (ISLAND IN SPAIN)
Grupo Frontera
Ya salió pa'l carro que soñé
El closet de Jordans ya llené
La casita pa' mi amá
Por fin ya se la pude dar
Already out to the car that I dreamed of
I already filled the closet with Jordans
The little house for my mom
Finally I could give it to her

IBIZA is Grupo Frontera’s celebration of finally making it and wanting to share every bit of that success with the people who matter most. The narrator proudly checks off his dream list: the car he once imagined, a closet full of Jordans, and—most importantly—a new house for his mom. Life has leveled up, and the chorus pulses with the joy of having “de más,” plenty to go around. Now that the hard work has paid off, he’s ready to kick back and spoil someone special, showering her with weekend roses, diamond-bright smiles, and spontaneous trips all the way to Ibiza.

At its heart, the song is an upbeat promise of generosity and carefree adventure. Over lively Tejano rhythms, the singer invites his love interest to hop in any car she likes, blast the music, and cruise through LA doing thrilling, rule-bending escapades. Every line says, “Let me treat you.” It’s an anthem for anyone who’s tasted success and can’t wait to spread the happiness—proof that dreams can come true and, when they do, they’re even sweeter when shared.

17. Duele (Hurts)
elida reyna
Te marchas cuando yo mas te queria
Me dejas con una profunda herida
Pintaste un mundo real de alegria
Yo tonta pense que siempre me amarias
You leave when I loved you the most
You leave me with a deep wound
You painted a real world of joy
I foolishly thought that you would always love me

“Duele” is a spirited Tejano-cumbia confession about love’s bitter aftertaste. Elida Reyna describes the exact moment her once-vibrant romance shatters: she discovers her partner has another woman, and everyone knew but her. The lyrics drip with raw disbelief (“Fui la última a saber”), a sting that quickly turns into determined self-reliance. Instead of quietly suffering, she decides to drown the memory in tres botellas de tequila, inviting every woman who has ever been lied to raise a glass with her.

Beneath the upbeat accordion and lively percussion lies a powerful message: when betrayal hits, sorrow is real, yet solidarity and celebration can help reclaim your joy. Elida turns the cantina into a refuge where tears, tequila, and loud toasts transform pain into empowerment. The song reminds learners that even in heartbreak, a bold spirit and shared camaraderie can ease the hurt—por Dios, ¡cómo duele!, but together we heal.

18. Siempre (Always)
Selena
Hoy que tan sólo tengo
Mil recuerdos de tu amor
No te olvidaré
Te recordaré
Today that I only have
A thousand memories of your love
I won't forget you
I'll remember you

Selena’s “Siempre” is a warm, nostalgic hug in musical form. The Queen of Tejano repeats the word siempre (always) like a mantra, reminding us that some loves refuse to fade. Even though time has passed, memories of that special person color every moment of her day — walking through the door, stepping back out, or simply getting lost in thought. Each No te olvidaré (I won’t forget you) turns the song into a heartfelt promise that feelings can outlast distance and years.

Rather than dwelling on heartbreak, Selena invites us to celebrate the beautiful side of longing: the way a cherished memory can light up ordinary routines. With its upbeat cumbia groove and sincere lyrics, “Siempre” encourages listeners to dance while reflecting on their own unforgettable connections. It’s a joyful reminder that love, once planted, can bloom forever in the heart.

19. Terco Corazón (Stubborn Heart)
Selena y los Dinos
Este dolor que yo tengo muy dentro de mí
Es debido a mi terco corazón
Mi terco corazón nunca aprendió
El precio que tienes que pagar
This pain that I have deep inside me
Is due to my stubborn heart
My stubborn heart never learned
The price that you have to pay

"Terco Corazón" translates to Stubborn Heart, and that title says it all. In this spirited cumbia-pop gem, Mexico’s beloved Selena y Los Dinos give voice to the inner tug-of-war we feel when love overrides logic. The singer admits that the ache she carries "muy dentro de mí" is her own fault, because her heart refused to listen to reason. Every beat of the song is a playful-yet-poignant reminder that ignoring red flags can land us in the painful "red del amor" (the net of love).

As the chorus repeats terco, terco corazón, Selena becomes both narrator and friendly adviser, scolding her heart for not heeding her warnings: “Te dije muchas veces que te iban a lastimar.” Even so, the message is not all gloom. The closing lines promise growth: someday the heart will learn that love is a package deal, bringing lo bueno y lo malo (the good and the bad). With lively rhythms, candid lyrics, and Selena’s warm delivery, the song invites listeners to dance, reflect, and maybe forgive their own stubborn hearts.

20. God's Child (Baila Conmigo) (God's Child (Dance With Me))
Selena, David Bryne
Who calls this child to walk on her own?
Who leads her down this treacherous road?
She's dancin' to a song we can't hear
Caminando en Calle 12
Who calls this child to walk on her own?
Who leads her down this treacherous road?
She's dancin' to a song we can't hear
Walking on 12th Street

Picture a young girl drifting down a busy street, swaying to music no one else can hear. In “God’s Child (Baila Conmigo)” Selena and David Byrne paint that cinematic scene to explore innocence trying to survive in a chaotic world. English lines ask “Who leads her down this treacherous road?” while Spanish pleas—“Debes estar en la escuela”—reveal adults’ worry that life will swallow her too soon. The repeated invitation “Come dance with me” becomes both a protective hug and a dare to escape: when society fails to guide us, maybe rhythm can.

The song then widens its lens, mixing spiritual wonder with social critique. “God makes us dream, but won’t set us free.” We are all God’s children, stuck between lofty hopes and harsh reality, yet music offers a doorway to connection. By threading bilingual lyrics, the track celebrates cultural fusion and shared humanity; every “baila conmigo” reminds us that unity lives in a beat we might not fully hear yet can still follow together. In the end, the message is simple and profound: even on the toughest streets, dance—and the community it sparks—can keep our spirits from walking alone.

21. Ámame (Love Me)
Selena
Ámame
Siempre estoy pensando, en tu amor y nada más
Cansada de este sueño, quiero hacerlo realidad
Decídete mi amor estoy perdiendo el control
Love me
I'm always thinking about your love and nothing else
Tired of this dream, I want to make it real
Make up your mind babe, I'm losing control

Feel the fire of first love in “Ámame,” Selena’s vibrant Spanish-language plea for affection. The Mexican-American superstar paints a picture of someone who can’t stop daydreaming about the person they adore. Every heartbeat is full of anticipation: she is “tired of dreaming” and ready to make her love real. Time is ticking, control is slipping, and being apart feels like “not living” at all.

In the chorus, Selena’s voice bursts with urgency: “Ámame” – “Love me.” She is desperate for a kiss, aching for an embrace, yet determined to stop begging and claim the happiness she knows is possible if her feelings are returned. This catchy, dance-able track blends passion and vulnerability, letting learners hear how Spanish expresses longing, impatience, and confidence all at once. Listen closely and you’ll sense both the sweetness of romantic hope and the bold courage it takes to ask for what your heart truly wants.