Britain has a fantastic record at producing rock and pop music that sells worldwide. So does America and so does Ireland. Canada, Australia and the English speaking Caribbean countries have had reasonable successes, but most countries whose main language(s) are not English seem to struggle, if not in producing music at least in marketing it here (one ore two notable groups excepted). So, what are we missing out on? What great songs are there from places that haven't been named above?
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The greatest clip of French tele in history.
By artist: Buena Vista Social Club, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Daddy Yankee, Tito Puente, Enrique Iglesias, Santana
By type: Salsa, Samba, Tango, Cha Cha Cha, Son
By song: La Bamba (Mexican version), The Ketchup Song, Guantanamera, El Cóndor Pasa (Peruvian version)
Most reggaeton/Latin trap stuff like Danza Kuduro, Oy Mi Canto, Bailemos, Loco Contigo are also incredibly popular, and one of the most popular artists in the world right now is Bad Bunny
Camille- French vocalist I really like her album Oui
Lhasa- Brilliant Canadian French Artist sadly departed.
DakhaBraka- Great Ukrainian Band
Blick Bassey - Great Cameroon Artist
More or less everything, but perhaps start with Leaving, the first track from the album Wommat.
Some of Johnny Halliday's French Rock n Roll is pretty good. At one of the Spanish weekenders we go to there's always a session when the DJs play only Spanish language Rock n Roll and Rockabilly. Some decent stuff there.
French singer. Her single L'Aigle noir sold over a million copies within 12 hours.
The album of the same name is a favourite of mine.
Same could be said for Carlos Santana, I suppose and his Latin rock with Spanish vocals.
Actually I think the Mexican rock scene is quite vibrant but it doesn't really cross the Atlantic.
I think I've got a Mexican band in my album collection but I can't remember their name. Lol.
Israeli singer/band. Really good album but it's sung in English. became the biggest selling album in Israel.
Its title track was remixed by German DJ Wankelmut (what a name) and became a huge hit across Europe.
So, if you're from a non English speaking nation, you have three options. First, you could learn English, thereby giving you a distinct, unfair advantage over your compatriots. Second, you could carve out a niche in your own language and hope you can compete, profitably, with all the other dross. Third, you could follow the brilliant example of Italian star Adriano Celantano. (If you think you haven't heard of him, you have: he's in Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3, sandwiched between John Coltrane's soprano and Bonar Colleano).
What Celentano did was to create a song - "Prisencolinensinainciusol" - that, to his Italian audience sounded like it was in English. But was, in fact, utter gibberish.
Currently a lot of The Gloaming who often sing in Irish
One of my favourite albums is Mlah by Les Négresses Vertes. Partial to a bit of Mano Negra as well.
Gurrumul was fantastic, saw him once amazing voice.
Salif Keita could sing the phone directory and it would still sound awesome
Really rate Garmarna (Swedish 90s folk punk band)
Got into music in the 80s so township jive, jit (think Bhundu Boys) and rai were all on my radar and still go back to some of it (annoyingly a lot isn't on spotify)
And don't mind a bit of cajun either.
Finland: Moonsorrow, Finntroll (although they sing in Swedish), Korpiklaani
Sweden: Månegarm
Denmark: Svartsot
Netherlands: Heidevolk
Germany: Falkenbach, Finsterforst, Black Messiah (some English, some German), Equilibrium
Iceland: Skálmöld
Faroe Islands: Týr
Ireland: Cruachan (a few of their older tracks are in Gaelic but most in English)
Estonia: Metsatöll
Russia: Leshak, Arkona
Switzerland: Eluveitie
The Norwegian contribution is more black metal but with some folky leanings: Windir, Kampfar.
Another band from the Faroes is Hamferð - nothing to do with folk metal but a funereal-death-doom metal combo ... so unlikely to make the Radio 1 Breakfast Show playlist!
Rammstein has already been mentioned earlier in the thread (rarely sing in anything other than German).
The melodies are rather good, i think it's one of their best records.
Mind you, he is literally Austria's only noteworthy contribution to rock music.🤣
There are some Czech bands I like and a cadre of older musicians of genuine talent, but very much for the home market only, and they seem to be quite happy that way.
Classic Ibiza tune