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In English and in Spanish, with Miami Sound Machine and as a solo artist, Gloria Estefan has been a sweeping force that has made us dance and laugh, reflect and cry for more than four decades, with a unique sound and elegant, smart and profound lyrics.
With dozens of chart hits as part of the group that gifted us “Conga” and “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” in the ’80s — and later with her first Spanish album, the Grammy-winning Mi Tierra — the Cuban-American singer-songwriter (along with her husband, visionary producer Emilio Estefan) was “Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors),” as her song says, infusing Latin flavor into English pop music while singing simultaneously in her native language.
On the Billboard charts, she has placed 29 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 — three of them reaching No. 1 (“Anything For You” in 1988, “Don’t Wanna Lose You” in 1989, and “Coming Out of the Dark” in 1991) — and 30 tracks on Hot Latin Songs, 15 of which reached the top (from “No Me Vuelvo a Enamorar” in 1986 to “Hotel Nacional” in 2012).
Estefan, who last year became the first Latin woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, will receive the Legend award this week at the Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 gala. For this reason, we ranked her greatest hits in both languages — and picking a favorite was no easy task, with so many to chose from in Gloria’s robust songbook. The idea is to relive all her great music and to celebrate her craft.
Below is our staff’s ranking of all of Gloria Estefan’s No. 1 hits on Hot Latin Songs and the Hot 100, as well as some of her big early hits with Miami Sound Machine. Check out which song takes the top spot!
Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 will air at 9 PM ET (8 PM Central) on Sunday, June 9 via Telemundo, and can also be streamed on the Telemundo app and on Peacock.
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“Hotel Nacional”
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Peak date: Jan. 14, 2012With its uncanny yet catchy beat, “Hotel Nacional” boasts an upbeat tempo that stands out in Gloria Estefan’s catalog, as featured on her 2011 album Miss Little Havana. Although not her greatest hit, its distinctive rhythm propelled it onto the charts, reaching No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs, and highlighting Estefan’s versatility and broad appeal in the music scene.
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“Tu Fotografía”
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Peak date: Feb. 21, 2004Written by Peruvian singer-songwriter Gian Marco, “Tu Fotografía” is a sweet pop ballad where Estefan reminisces on some of her best life memories that now all live in a photo. “The color is no longer the same as before/ Your smile was almost erased/ And even if you are not clear, I will invent you/ In my thoughts and in my heart,” she sings. In the official video, Estefan performs the song to an audience as never-before-seen family photos are shared in the background.
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“En el Jardín” with Alejandro Fernández
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 6
Peak date: Dec. 27, 1997Alejandro Fernández invited Gloria Estefan to accompany him in this perfect musical romance. The sensual ballad, powered by violins, boasts the magical chemistry between the deep voice of the Mexican singer and the melodious sweetness of the Cuban-American star.
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“Oye”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Peak date: Sept. 5, 1998A bonafide party song, “Oye” is almost a call for action, urging fans to get on the dance floor. “Hey, my body wants salsa,” Gloria sings over a bright and bouncy techno-salsa tune. “And with this rhythm, let’s dance, eh-eh.” The track is part of her 1998 Gloria! album.
Listen above.
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“No Me Dejes de Querer”
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Peak date: June 10, 2000This beautiful son cubano, which begins with powerful trumpets and conga rhythms, merges with the flavor of a tropical ballad. In the lyrics, Estefan asks her love to never leave her because she would not know what to do without his love: “Swear to me that I will always see myself in your eyes (kiss me)/ With your sweet lips (honey flavor)/ I just want to be by your side.”
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“Cómo Me Duele Perderte”
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 2
Peak date: Sept. 23, 2000A melancholy classic in the purest style of Gloria Estefan, this song is a slow ballad with delicate tropical sounds that carries in each verse the emptiness of lost love. “How was it that you stopped loving/ And you forgot about yesterday/ About our looks, about our skin,” goes part of the lyrics.
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“No Llores”
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 2
Peak date: Sept. 8, 2007Part of her album 90 Millas (90 Miles), which is the distance between Cuba and Florida, “No Llores” masterfully fuses Cuban danzón with salsa and contemporary sounds. The song features renowned musicians such as Carlos Santana, who contributes his distinctive electric guitar; José Feliciano, who contributes his acoustic guitar, and Sheila E. on the timbales. This combination results in a dynamic piece that celebrates Estefan’s Cuban roots, while incorporating a variety of modern musical influences.
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“Más Allá (Beyond)”
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Peak date: Jan. 6, 1996Charged with optimistic lyrics about peace and love, “Más Allá (Beyond)” speaks of someone who is caring, forgiving, understanding and asks for nothing in return. The track — a Christmas bolero ballad backed by captivating church bells — is part of Estefan’s 1995 holiday album Abriendo Puertas, her second LP in Spanish. “When you give without expectations/ When you love for real/ When you offer forgiveness/ Instead of resentment/ There is peace in your heart,” she sings at the beginning.
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“Turn the Beat Around”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Chart: Billboard Hot 100
Peak Position: No. 13
Peak date: Nov. 19, 1994“Turn the Beat Around” was not only the biggest Hot 100 hit off Estefan’s 1994 Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me album, but it became the ultimate ‘90s party tune with its dancefloor-friendly electro-tropical beat. The disco song was originally a hit in 1976 for Vicki Sue Robinson. Estefan’s version was also part of the soundtrack to the 1994 film The Specialist, starring Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone.
Listen above.
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“No Pretendo”
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Peak date: Aug. 2, 1997Written by Kike Santander and released in 1997, “No Pretendo” is the Spanish version of “Steal Your Heart,” from the album Destiny. The song, which reached the top of Hot Latin Songs in August of that year, delves into Estefan’s Latin roots by incorporating more traditional elements of Cuban music with rhythmic guitars and percussion — while the lyrics, loaded with poetry, talk about unconditional and unpretentious love.
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“Anything For You”
Chart: Billboard Hot 100
Weeks at No. 1: 2
Peak date: May 14, 1988The ballad “Anything for You,” included on Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine’s 1987 album Let It Loose, marked a milestone by giving Estefan the first of her three No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100. The emotional song, with its characteristic 80s sound, became one of the artist’s most emblematic hits, and helped establish her as an international superstar.
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“Words Get in the Way”
Chart: Billboard Hot 100
Peak position: No. 5
Peak date: Sept. 20, 1986Capturing the tender side of ‘80s music, “Words Get In The Way” is a poignant ballad from Miami Sound Machine’s Primitive Love album. With its mellow melody and heartfelt lyrics, the song showcases Gloria’s emotive vocal prowess, making it a standout track — one that reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. This ballad resonated deeply with audiences, featuring introspective lyrics that reveal the struggles of expressing true feelings.
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“Mi Buen Amor”
Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 2
Peak date: March 13, 1994“Mi Buen Amor,” which translates to “my good love,” is one of the staples from Estefan’s 1993 album Mi Tierra. The heartfelt, modern-day bolero, backed by an enchanting flute melody, finds the Cuban artist passionately singing about an unforgettable first true love. “There are loves that take us to the abyss/ There are loves that we never forget/ Those who give all tenderness and fantasy/ They are good loves like you,” she chants.
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“Con Los Años Que Me Quedan”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Chart: Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1: 4
Peak date: Nov. 13, 1993“Con Los Años Que Me Quedan” is a beautiful bolero included on Estefan’s third solo studio album, and her first in Spanish, Mi Tierra (1993). Accompanied by acoustic guitars, this charming song has sincere lyrics that express deep love and plead for a second chance, complemented by Estefan’s sweet and dreamy voice.
Listen above.
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“Si Voy a Perderte” / “Don’t Wanna Lose You”
