[World Music] A Guide to Folk Music: A Collection of Traditional Songs from Around the Globe
Traditional and folk music has a charm that’s different from works categorized into genres like rock, jazz, or R&B, doesn’t it? It’s like you catch a glimpse of a world different from where you are now… scenes you can’t quite put into words start to unfold in your heart.
In this article, we’ll be introducing a wide variety of folk music loved around the world.
From pieces brimming with exotic flair to songs that feel surprisingly familiar, we’ve gathered a truly broad selection! Listen to the tracks featured here and open a new door.
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[World Music] Recommendations for Ethnic Music: A Compilation of Folk Songs from Around the World (31–40)
What a heartache
Violeta Parra’s “What Heartache” showcases her activist side as a musician who sought to change society through music.
It is one of the classics of Chilean—and more broadly South American—folk music, known as folklore.
As the title suggests, the piece expresses unfiltered heartache, and perhaps because of its pastoral atmosphere, the sense of melancholy feels even deeper.
The regional character and culture of folklore become more fascinating the more you look into them, so if you’re interested, by all means explore further.
El Mambo
[Mambo (Cuba)] “Qué Rico el Mambo” (El Mambo), composed by Cuban musician Dámaso Pérez Prado.
Performed by the Nihon University Rhythm Society Orchestra OB Mambo Band at the Shinjuku Bunka Center.
The Latin percussion looks like a lot of fun!
Cherry Pink Cha-Cha
Cha-cha-cha is well known as a program in social and competitive dance.
It’s said that the name comes from the sound made by the steps striking the floor.
“Cherry Pink Cha-Cha” is a piece by the Spain-born composer Louigui.
Even if you don’t know how to dance it, the tune naturally makes your shoulders sway, doesn’t it? By the way, cha-cha-cha is a musical genre that evolved from mambo, another dance born in Cuba.
For that reason, “Cherry Pink Cha-Cha” also goes by the alternate title “Cherry Pink Mambo.”
My Nostalgic Buenos Aires
[Argentine Tango] Lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera, music by Carlos Gardel: “My Beloved Buenos Aires (Mi Buenos Aires querido).” Performed by Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo and Argentine soprano Virginia Tola.
The Moon of Tucumán
[Argentine Folklore] Atahualpa Yupanqui’s piece “Luna tucumana” (The Moon of Tucumán).
Vocal and guitar: Ms.
Natsuko Nagahama from Hokkaido; bandoneon: Mr.
Yoshihiro Tanabe; piano: Mr.
Kenji Kamasu.
Performed at the Ginza live house “Tsukiyo no Koneko.”
[World Music] Recommended Ethnic Music: A Compilation of Folk Songs from Around the World (41–50)
A Love Story
The rumba is famous as a ballroom dance number.
Although the music was born in Cuba, to be precise, the rumba we know originally belonged to a Latin genre called son.
As it came to be heard around the world and used as dance music, it evolved in its own way and has now moved beyond the category of folk music to establish itself as a musical genre in its own right.
In that vein, “Historia de un Amor” is one such song—a sad love song that sings of longing for a beloved who is gone.
This is all fado.
Portugal’s traditional music, Fado.
It had been in decline until a little while ago, but since the 2000s, thanks to the success of Mariza, it has once again attracted global attention.
The real charm of Fado lies above all in its vocals that use nasal vowels.
It’s a genre often sung by women, likely because the nasal vowels pair well with higher female voices.
The lyrics are frequently emotional and deeply moving, so when you enjoy Fado, be sure to check out the Japanese translations as well.
