Maná

The Latin Pop-Rock band Maná has been one of the most popular romantic latin music bands for over 30 years. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico and consisting of four members now, Fher Oliver, Alex Gonzalez, Sergio Vatlin and Juan Calleros the band has gained popularity throughout the entire world with their Spanish Soft-Rock sound. They have received eight Latin Grammy Awards and also four Grammy Awards showing their crossover popularity into the non-Spanish world as well.

It has been said that if you’re in a Latin country and don’t know what to play on the Rockola (Juke Box) you can’t go wrong with Maná. All women of all ages will know every single word of each song you play, and they’ll ask for more. Maná’s songs mostly love songs and songs of broken hearts with catchy beats and excellent guitar work. The lead singer, Fher Olivera has a distinct voice that is easily recognized in every song he sings.

Maná Leads In All-Time Sales Of Latin Pop Music

Many of their albums have been chart toppers in both their homeland of Mexico and in all of the Latin Music world as well. Their 1992 album ¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños? (Where do The Children Play?) Sold over 10 million copies alone. And is still on the top of the charts as the best selling Spanish language album ever. They have now released nine studio albums that continue to sell and place on the charts in many parts of the world.

Over the years the band has made changes to their music in embracing other styles while still retaining their basic pop-rock sound. The album Drama y Luz (Drama and Lights) was more centered on Gothic stories and angst in the heart. Then, later on, Maná pivoted back to their roots with a more romantic rock sound in the Cama Incendiary (Burnt Bed). Which was widely thought to be about the lead singer, Fher Olivera’s, break up with his TV star girlfriend Monica Nogueres earlier that year.

Maná Teams Up With Other Popular Latin Stars

Shakira, a rising Latin-pop singer in her own right, teamed up with Mana to create a more hard rock, Caribbean sound which brought the band back to the number one spot on the Hot Latin Charts for a long stay. The combination of a harder rock sound, and louder beat for the dancing crowd, still maintained the same background sounds of the band. With Shakira singing several solo ballads all reaching noted chart-topping positions.

Even though the band is thought of as being Latin Pop Rock sound, the music is easy to listen to for all music lovers. In the Madison Square Garden concerts of 2007, they were able to quickly sell out two back to back shows of mixed English and Spanish speaking crowds. Maná continues to be quite popular among the Puerto Ricans in New York, but also many others raved about the show as well.

When Choosing On The Rockola (Juke Box)

In every bar in all of Latin America, there will always be plenty of Maná songs to choose from. While you can’t go wrong with any song that you choose from the band, there are a few top favorites that you should start with if you’re hoping to impress the woman that you’re with.

Mariposa Tracionera is going to be one of the first you’ll want to pick. It’s a guaranteed winner, and every woman (and most men) will know all of the words to the song. Most of the women in the bar will automatically close their eyes and begin to sing the words along with the music. The song’s title translates to “Traitorous Butterfly” and is mostly about women that float from man to man seducing them and then leaving. It’s a hit every time.

Como Deseo is another standby that should be played. Roughly translated it means “How Much I Desire You” and it has some catchy Na Na sounds that everyone will enjoy. It’s a soft rock love song and it actually was popular in the US and the UK when released.
Vivir Sin Aire is also another favorite from their 1992 album ¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños? And you’ll love the great guitar work and beautiful lyrics as much as anyone in the room.

Mana is the most popular Latin Rock/Pop band of all time, and it will be a long time until any other band comes close to the selling the number of albums that they have already. They continue to tour, although less than in their early days, and they will soon release another album that will most likely top the charts in the very first week. You don’t need their greatest hits album, any of their albums will do.