Día de los Muertos is about remembering the dead, celebrating their lives, and acknowledging the pain of losing loved ones.
It’s a sacred day in Mexico and parts of South America, and it’s very much not Halloween.
For Day of the Dead, we’ve compiled a selection of traditional and contemporary Mexican folk songs meant to honor the holiday, as well as everyone who has made the passage over to the other side.
You might know the last one, “Remember Me,” from the film Coco, but Day of the Dead has inspired countless traditional songs, poems, and brilliant works of art. Ultimately, attendees at typical Day of the Dead celebrations will often play the kind of music that their departed loved ones enjoyed, so if you’re looking to honor departed loved ones on this day, you might just want to spin their favorite tunes. That said, the Mexican folk music tradition is rich in tradition and sublime in sound, and some of these songs are too gorgeous not to share.
Remember, though, if you’re not part of the culture that celebrates this holiday, be careful if, when, and how you decide to partake in this day. Make sure you’re not appropriating these cultures, avoid wearing costumes, do some research on the holiday and its meaning and sacredness, and support Mexican artists and causes.
1. La Llorona
This folk song’s origins are wrapped in obscurity, but it is known that the song originated a long time ago in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. In 1941, the composer Andres Henestrosa popularized the song. There are numerous modern versions, with everyone from Chavela Vargas to Lila Jones lending their voices and finger-picking skills to the track.
The tune’s lyrics are said to come from the original legend of La Llorona, the ghostly “Weeping Woman” of Mexican and South American folklore. Some of the verses were probably written during the Mexican Revolution, and today, it’s frequently used to scare children into going to bed. Since it tells the story of a ghost (or a woman who won’t allow her lover to leave her, depending on the interpretation), it’s a natural fit for Día de los Muertos.
2. La Bruja
Just as La Llorona tells the story of a wicked, ghostly woman, so does La Bruja, which translates loosely to “The Witch.” According to legend, La Bruja is a kind of witch that sucks blood like a vampire. Lyrically, like La Llorona, it’s also been interpreted as being about a woman who goes out on the hunt for a man, though there are many legends about what its lyrics might be trying to say. Most of the song is from the perspective of someone getting stolen by a witch. Some believe it references the old folk story that witches would dance with candles on their heads, making it look like the candles were floating; others believe it has more ominous implications, but it’s really up to the listener.
The song is often used as a children’s rhyme, but it’s also been gorgeously covered by many artists.
Vincente Chavarria | La Bruja | AEA Sessionswww.youtube.com
3. Calaveritas — Ana Tijoux, Celso Piña
This song was released by Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux to honor the dead, specifically those lost during the Pinochet dictatorship. The title, “Calaveritas,” means “little skulls,” and it’s full of loving messages for those whose lives were lost. Recorded with Mexican musician Celso Piña, it’s a blend of traditional, folk, and experimental sounds with a powerful message. “We all carry within us / one who died before us / who appears when night falls and the sun goes out,” read some of the lyrics. It also includes a quote from a revolutionary named Pierre Dubois who opposed Pinochet during his regime: “It is not enough to say that justice takes time but it arrives. Justice that is not exercised when appropriate is already unfair.”
Ana Tijoux – Calaveritaswww.youtube.com
4. Amor Eterno
This song was written in 1984 by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel and quickly became the most popular song for funerals in his native country. It’s a rich, sad, and nostalgic piece, one that pays tribute to loves of old while acknowledging the pain of loss in the present. It’s been covered magnificently by countless artists, but Silvana Estrada’s version is incredibly moving in its delicacy and compassion.
Juan Gabriel – Amor Eterno (En Vivo [Desde el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes])www.youtube.com
This well-known song has a way of reappearing in times of need. After the shooting in El Paso, Texas this summer, the song became a staple at funerals and memorial services. “How I wish that you still lived that your precious eyes had never closed so that I could see them eternal love unforgettable,” go the lyrics, which ensure that there’s never a dry eye when this song is played.
5. Remember Me, Coco
This movie beautifully portrayed Día de los Muertos and was tied together by the gorgeous ballad “Remember Me.” In the film, the song is capable of crossing the boundary between life and death, forming an everlasting bond that keeps memories alive and inspires new generations to continue old legacies. It perfectly captures the message of Día de los Muertos: Even after our loved ones say goodbye, they’re kept alive by memories and in song, and that’s something to celebrate.
Carlos Rivera – Recuérdame (De “Coco”/Versión de Carlos Rivera/Official Video)www.youtube.com
Benjamin Bratt – Remember Me (Official Video From “Coco”) [Ernesto de la Cruz]www.youtube.com
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- The 10 Best Tracks on the National’s ‘Day of the Dead’ Compilation … ›
- Latin Music Celebrates Lives For Day Of The Dead : NPR ›
- Classical Music to Rattle Your Bones on Día de los Muertos | 98.7 … ›
- Day of the Dead by Various Artists on Spotify ›
- Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) music video for kids – YouTube ›
- Day of the Dead Songs in Spanish for Kids and Classes ›
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