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UN ENFRENTAMIENTO! Spanish Covers vs. #1 Hits:

Who Wins This Cross-Language Showdown?

July 9, 2025
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While following Tom Breihan’s The Number Ones column over at Stereogum.com, where he reviews every song that topped the Billboard Hot 100, at some point, I became interested in finding Spanish-language covers of #1 songs.

I began to compile a playlist. Any artist was welcome, from the well-known to the more obscure.

They could be any style, but I preferred them not to sound too much like a replica of the original.

As I shared some of my finds in the comment section along the way, other commenters, such as Edith G and Ozcorp would chime in with suggestions. I ended up with a substantial playlist that extends from the 60s through the 90s – and I still listen to it.

Some of the Spanish versions just flowed so perfectly, that it was as if they were written to sound that way.

I recently began to wonder what would happen if the two faced off against each other?

Who would win?

Could any of the covers prevail?

Here are some prime matchups of Spanish language covers vs. the English #1s they reinterpret.

The full playlist is at the end, and you are welcome to judge as well. And being that I love all the Spanish covers here, whether or not they triumph today, they’re still great in my eyes.


“Part Time Lover”
by Stevie Wonder, vs:

“Amor a Media Tiempo”
by Bobby Valentin

Not one of Stevie’s more memorable #1s, although it has an impressive amount of plays on Spotify.

I must confess that I didn’t recall hearing it before Tom Breihan reviewed it. Sometime in the early 90s, I was introduced to the Bobby Valentin salsa cover and was smitten. It is absolutely smoking hot from start to finish and just gets me charged every time I hear it.

The winner:
Spanish

I know I scandalized some of you, going against Stevie, but it’s 80s Stevie, not 70s Stevie, so maybe more forgivable. Maybe?


“Careless Whisper”
by Wham! featuring George Michael,
vs:

“Susurro Indescrito”
by Luchito Muñoz

This salsa-jazz cover is fantastic with a complex arrangement, smooth vocals, lights out percussion – the works.

But can it overtake the monster hit from Wham! with its all-timer of a sax line?

The winner:
English

But Spanish did not go down without a fight.


“Hotel California”
by Eagles,
vs:

“Hotel California (Spanish Mix)”
by Gipsy Kings

I was directing a Spanish language folk group at a church that introduced this sizzling cover when it came out.

This song was made to be done in the flamenco style and the guitar work is incredible. Does it top the ubiquitous original?

The winner:
English

Gipsy Kings’ version is not to be trifled with however, and scores extra points for being featured in The Big Lebowski.


“The Night Chicago Died”
by Paper Lace,
vs:

“La Noche Que Murio Chicago”
by Banda Toro

The Banda cover sounds like a Mexican polka and charmed its way into my heart instantly.

A song about my hometown burning to the ground that lifts my spirits and makes me feel happy is an unlikely feat.

The winner:
Spanish

Not even close.


“MacArthur Park”
by Donna Summer,
vs:

“MacArthur Park (Spanish Version)”
by Lucy Grau

The Donna Summer version is itself a cover, of course, but Lucy Grau’s electrifying salsa version is obviously based on it, not the original.

The winner:
Spanish

By a hair.


“I Will Survive”
by Gloria Gaynor,
vs:

“Yo Viviré”
by Celia Cruz

Legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz is forever an icon in the world of Latin music and was known as the Queen of Salsa.

Her version of this disco classic, recorded near the end of her long, illustrious career, is not to be missed.

The winner:
English

A fight to the finish. Celia goes hard, but in the end, it was never going to be easy knocking off Gloria on this one.


“I Want to Know What Love Is”
by Foreigner,
vs:

“Quiero Saber Que Es el Amor”
by Los del Fuego

A study in contrasts between Foreigner’s emotionally charged, heavy-handed production complete with Gospel choir and this stripped-down Argentinian cover, rearranged as a cumbia.

The winner:
Spanish

The original is a powerhouse ballad for the ages, no doubt, but Los del Fuego’s cover touches the heart in its moving simplicity.


“Right Here Waiting”
by Richard Marx
vs.

“Aqui Esperándote”
by Klase Aparte

The difference between the adult contemporary hushed ballad that is the original and this scorcher of a merengue cover is stunning. There is no middle ground. It demands that sides be taken, alliances be formed.

The winner:
Spanish

Armed with his gooey keyboards, dreamy vocals, and inimitable hair, Richard Marx simply showed up at the wrong arena here and just cannot keep up with the blistering pace of the merengue.


“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
by U2
vs:

Spanish version
by Cuba Vista

A lively, sweet, more down-to-earth take on the gigantic U2 anthem, done in an acoustic Cuban folk style.

The winner:
English

But don’t sleep on the Spanish version.


“Unbreak My Heart”
by Toni Braxton
vs:

“Regresa a Mí” by La Rondalla de Saltilla

The original was begging for a dramatic Spanish language treatment and this Mexican guitar ballad has the goods.

When 10 men are busting out those harmonies on the chorus, you can feel your own heart unbreaking right then and there.

The winner:
Spanish

It’s a close one. The Braxton original is one of the most beautiful ballads of its era, but the Spanish cover just makes me want to cry.


“Eye of the Tiger”
by Survivor
vs:

“El Ojo del Tigre”
by Francis y Su Marimba Orquesta

This Guatemalan group completely reinvents Survivor’s classic inspirational rocker as a sizzling tropical dance number, adding marimbas to the mix to really spice it up.

The winner:
English

But the Spanish version could accompany a work-out montage quite well in its own right. If I had to fight Clubber Lang, this would get me fired up, right before I was about to die a quick and very painful death.


“On Bended Knee”
by Boyz II Men
vs:

“Me Rindo Ante Ti”
by Luisito Ayala Y La Puerto Rican Power

A classic ballad with signature tighter-than-tight harmonies gets kicked up a notch and transformed into a blazing hot salsa track.

The winner:
Spanish

The Boyz’ biggest hits are always spot on, but this cover has it all — amazing horns, stellar vocals and an irresistible tropical beat that makes me want to get up and dance. And I can’t even salsa.


“Heart of Glass”
by Blondie
vs:

“Corazón De Cristal”
by Priscila y Sus Balas De Plata

A norteño take that replaces disco with what sounds like a laid-back polka.

The winner:
English

Priscila is really working that accordion and it’s a fun interpretation, but the Blondie original is pure fire and all challengers, no matter how earnest, must succumb.


“Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman”
by Bryan Adams
vs:

“La Mujer Que Amas”
by Pedro Fernandez

Another one that was basically written to be covered in Spanish.

This version really nails it and is exactly how it was meant to sound.

The winner:
Spanish


Turns out the solution to getting this song to reach its full potential was to give it a great Spanish vocal and eighty-six Bryan Adams.


“Yesterday”
by The Beatles
vs:

“El Ayer”
by Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea

A lush ballad cover by an all-female mariachi outfit.

The lead vocal is sung with a muted sadness that is achingly beautiful. Will it be able to beat Sir Paul at his own game of melancholy and regret?

The winner:
English

By the slimmest of margins. Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea nearly pull off a stunning upset and topple the Beatles, but in the end the lads pull off the victory as it is just too hard to go against the iconic original. However, do not count these ladies out, and give their version a listen.


Lots more Spanish covers to come!
The full playlist can be heard here:


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rollerboogie

rollerboogie

Music is what brought me here, but I do have other interests. I like ill-advised, low budget movies that shouldn't even be close to good, but are great, and cats too.

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cstolliver
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cstolliver
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July 10, 2025 7:34 am

This sounds like a fun way to spend a summer Thursday. Thanks, RB! I suspect several of these songs will be improvements on originals that I don’t much care for (Bryan Adams, Toni Braxton et al.). The real challenge will be the ones I find classic (“MacArthur Park” for one). I look forward to listening.

Zeusaphone
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Zeusaphone
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July 10, 2025 8:02 am

I’m so disappointed that you didn’t find a “Señor Custer”

mt58
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mt58
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July 10, 2025 8:24 am
Reply to  Zeusaphone

By the same Spanish language band who covered “Broken Wings!” They were great.

Boy, I sure miss Señor Señor.

{ducks the incoming vegetable barrage}

Virgindog
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Virgindog
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July 10, 2025 9:04 am
Reply to  mt58

Interestingly, “Tequila” by Los campeones is exactly the same song.

Virgindog
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Virgindog
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July 10, 2025 9:17 am

Fun list, rollerboogie! Given my background, I’m now curious about French versions…..

lovethisconcept
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lovethisconcept
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July 10, 2025 12:38 pm
Reply to  rollerboogie

I am attempting to learn French, and this might be a great way to get some practice listening. Covers would be good because I at least know the gist of what is being said.

lovethisconcept
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lovethisconcept
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July 10, 2025 1:44 pm
Reply to  rollerboogie

Thanks! I know of a few, but I didn’t know any of these. My favorite is below.

https://youtu.be/te7KW4K-00E?si=pIEJRfdd6AmMdX2z

Ozmoe
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July 10, 2025 3:02 pm

OK rollerboogie, have you ever compared the Spanish version of “Love Will Keep Us Together” versus the English one, since both are by the Captain and Tennille? And if not, why not? (Extra bonus points if you’ve also compared the Carpenters’ take on “Canta” against their English original of “Sing” too!)

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