Ranchera

Ranchera is a type of traditional music from Mexico. It started before the Mexican Revolution and has become a big part of many regional Mexican music styles today.

Rancheras come from the folk music of rural areas. Over time, this music grew to represent a new feeling of national pride. It was a way for people to express their identity, moving away from the more fancy tastes that were popular at the time.

Today, rancheras are loved by many and are often heard at parties, festivals, and family gatherings. They tell stories of everyday life, love, and the spirit of the Mexican people.

Definitions

The word ranchera comes from rancho because these songs began on farms and in the countryside of rural Mexico.

Traditional rancheras often talk about love, heartbreak, patriotism, or nature. The music can have different rhythms, like ²₄ (slow or fast), ³₄, or ⁴₄. Songs usually start with music, then have verses and a repeating part, with a special yell called the grito mexicano that adds excitement.

Some famous ranchera songwriters are Lucha Reyes, Cuco Sánchez, Antonio Aguilar, Juan Gabriel, and José Alfredo Jiménez, who wrote many well-known songs. A related style is the corrido, which tells stories about heroes and adventures.