Classic songs in Cuba – and crazy modern covers

Occasionally I lead groups to Cuba. (Yes, legally!) I’ve become friendly with some of the musicians I regularly cross paths with, whether at the hotels or restaurants where they work, or when they’re just sitting around playing for fun.

I’m a big music lover and not a bad singer. Sometimes a group will invite me to join them for a song or two. In touristy settings, that’s mostly classic songs of Cuba and Latin America, plus anything popularized by Buena Vista Social Club. I know some of the classics already, and I’ve been learning others that I keep hearing them play.

I’m heading to Cuba again this week and was reviewing some of my favorites. Then I started watching different versions on YouTube. Fun stuff. Here are a few classics – together with modern renditions that don’t sound much like the original! See what you think.

And – if you have a favorite version or song I didn’t list, please leave a comment about it!

Piel Canela

Piel Canela means “cinnamon skin.” The song basically means: Let the whole world go to hell, all I need is you, with your dark eyes and cinnamon skin.

Original by Bobby Capo, Cuba:

Cover by Natalia LaFourcade y la Fourquetina, Mexico. I love this.

Perfidia

This one’s about love, loss, and betrayal. Classic torch song, covered a million times. English and instrumental versions have been popular, too.

Original by Lupita Palomera, Mexico:

Cover by Los Rabanes, Panama. This is one of those songs I liked better before I paid attention to what they were saying. The musical revamp of Perfidia is cool, but the rap they added is all chauvinistic. Skip the rap.

Cover by La Portuaria, Argentina:

Perfidia – instrumental

Original by the Xavier Cugat Orchestra, United States:

Cover by Cafe Tacuba, Mexico. I got this CD about 15 years ago and listened to this version a million times before ever hearing any other… kind of a weird introduction to such a classic song.