Even before BTS produced their last 3 English-language songs, this South Korean supergroup had already crossed over to global superstardom. Their 300-plus discography was in Korean, and yet, that did not prevent them from exploding into the international scene. Thousands of international fans are now learning to speak this Asian language.
Over the years, several non-English songs managed to capture the world’s attention. Aside from the 4 BTS songs, “ON,” “Boy with Luv,” “Fake Love,” and "Life Goes On," other non-English music infiltrated the much-touted American mainstream. Yes, beautiful music transcends language barriers.
These non-English songs placed on top of the American pop charts:
1. "La Bamba" (1958 & 1987), Ritchie Valens & Los Lobos
2. "Despacito" (2017), Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber
3. "Gangnam Style" (2012), PSY
4. "Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)" (1996), Los Del Rio
5. "The Ketchup Song (Aserejé)" (2002), Las Ketchup
6. “Guantanamera” – (1966), The Sandpipers
7. “Dominique”- (1963), The Singing Nun
It is my wish that Original Pilipino Music (OPM) will finally claim its place on the global stage. The following OPM songs broke through some of the barriers, with some songs translated into other languages, and other songs actually being sung in the Tagalog language. It is a matter of time.
ANAK (“Child”), 1978
Written by Filipino folk-singer Freddie Aguilar for the Metropop Song Festival held in Manila. The song is of remorse and apology by the son to his parents, like a prodigal son coming back home. The poignant lyrics were translated into 27 foreign languages and generated cover versions in Korean, Malay, Japanese, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Dutch, and several other languages. "Anak" is 43 years old this year.
Freddie Aguilar (original)
Johnny Walther
Written and recorded by Filipino singer-songwriter Yeng Constantino. This is a love song and was sung by Yeng in a pre-nuptial video to her then-fiance. In English, “You are the love I waited for” pretty sums up the romantic sentiments of the bride, which had made this song popular at weddings.
Yeng Constantino (original)
Written and sung by Filipino actor, singer, and songwriter, Juan Karlos Labajo. This rock/alternative song was released on June 22, 2018, through MCA Music. The song won several local music awards and became more popular through song challenges overseas. Local versions by Bugoy Drillon and Angeline Quinto are also worth listening to.
Juan Karlos (original)
Bugoy Drillon (What the heck, I'm including Bugoy's reggae version)
Performed by the Filipino pop-rock band Aegis. The group came together in 1995 and is composed of the 3 Sunot sisters on lead vocals, 3 other females playing instruments, and one male member Rey on guitar. The vocals are incredibly high, searing to the heavens, and emotionally charged. Most of the songs were composed by Rey’s brother before he passed away. The songs about love, loss, regrets, and pain are iconic, well-loved by the common people, and have become the soundtrack of many Filipinos’ lives.
Aegis (original)
Moira Dela Torre is a singer-songwriter known for her heartfelt lyrics and sweet melodies. In 2018, she was the No. 1 most-streamed artist on Spotify Philippines. She recorded the song "Paubaya" which she later released as a music video. It is a song about unrequited love where the couple let each other go to give in to true love to happen with somebody else.
Moira Dela Torre (original)
Written by Francis Salazar and performed by Asia's Phoenix Diva Morissette Amon. Morisette is known for her belting prowess, whistles, and signature voice “crack.” This phenomenal song garnered 137,177,234 views on Youtube as of August 2021.
Morissette Amon (original)
