These songs have defined my time in Ecuador (20-1)

The truth is that I could probably write a master's dissertation about each of these songs in the top 20. They have all, in their own way, helped shaped my experience in Ecuador.

20. A dormir juntitos - Eddy Herrera y Liz



In addition to the bachata that I talked about in yesterday's installment, the technocumbia is a staple of late-night, small-town dances. When you listen to this song, they might be singing about durmiendo juntitos, but you are probably a meter and a half away from your dance partner, with whom you aren't making eye contact.

19. Te amo - Makano



If there was one defining artist of my first two years in Ecuador, it had to have been Makano. The soothing beats from this Panamanian pop singer took over the small towns of Ecuador. This was one of his biggest hits.

In the States, I don't really sing along with pop music, but I really get into in Ecuador. This is one of the best songs to really belt out like you mean it.

18. Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan



Mr. Saxobeat has shot up the charts in the last year or so. You'll hear it on the bus. You'll hear it again walking down the street. You'll hear it again when your roommate decides to play it on loop on iTunes. Then, before you know it, you're listening to it on your own volition and singing along.

17. Te amo tanto - Nigga



This song is in the same category as Makano's hit that came in at No. 19. I would say that these songs are the Latin American equivalent of R & B. As great as Makano's hit is, Nigga's just one ups him.

16. Te regalo amores - Rakim y Ken-Y



You cannot deny the greatness of this song. Once it really gets going, there might not be a more addictive and enjoyable song to listen to.

15. Moscau - Dschinghis Khan



I had never heard this song in my first two years as a volunteer. It was much more popular in the jungle. But my roommates, who both spent the first two years of their service in the jungle, brought this gem up to Quito with them. If we ever have a dance party in our house, this is the song that typically kicks it off.

We don't really have any idea what they are saying, but I'm sure it's great.

14. Niña bonita - Chino y Nacho



I´m going to allow my roommate, Meaghan, to insert a guest commentary on this song because my best memory of this song was when Meaghan and another volunteer immitated the music video at our close of service conference.

"This song really speaks to the heart of the Latin people."

13. ¿Qué tengo que hacer? - Daddy Yankee



Daddy Yankee is one of the pioneers of hip hop, at least in my mind. This song came out at about the time I started service, and it was a hit with all the kids in my youth group.

12. Pa Panamericano



There was a time last year when every single person in Ecuador had this song stuck in his or her head.

11. Cuando me enamorao - Enrique Iglesias y Juan Luis Guerra



Si pudiera bajarte una estrella...

From those first words, you can tell that this song is coming straight from the heart directly to airwaves throughout Ecuador.

A veces desespero cuando me enamoro.

I didn't even realize that the video is a school assembly. Outstanding.

10. Calle ocho - Pitbull



I was walking through the store with my roommates the other week. Out of nowhere, we started singing this song's chorus.

One, two, three, four. Uno, dos, tres, cuatro.

A group of elementary-school aged girls overheard us and started giggling. It was outstanding.

I can't tell you how many times I have been asked "what do "You know I want. I know you what me" mean by Arenillas youth?

This song has pretty much everything you could look for in a reggaeton song: a catchy chorus. a little bit of English, large sections of the song that you don't understand, Pitbull.

9. Tsunami - Bayron Caicedo



Bayron Caicedo's nickname is "El duro, duro, duro de Ecuador."

James Brown was often referred to as the hardest-working man in show business. Well, Bayron Caicedo is the hardest-working man in Ecuadorian show business.

The man is always on tour. He must have played live in or around Arenillas four times in my service. I spoke to friends who lived in the jungle, and they said the same thing. The man loves to put on shows and collect pay checks.

He loves it so much that he puts his phone number at the beginning of his music videos.

I've spent this whole time just talking about the man himself and haven't even touched on the epicness of this song. The dance scene that plays out in this video is pretty much what happens every time this song is played in Ecuador - all-out dance party.

8. Na de na - Angel y Khriz



When I hear this song, I think discoteca

The beat was probably forged in the depths of Latin America's sleaziest clubs. The words, or syllables because there are very complete words in this, were composed in the graffiti on the club's bathroom walls. Its bass has blasted the innocence from many a young Ecuadorians going to the discos.

Notice the use of the reggaeton horn in the background. Love the horn.

7. Cara guay



I have spent more than a year in the Ecuadorian sierra. The go-to song for any traditional social gathering in this part of the country is Cara Guay. I don't know if anyone knows what it means. All I know is that everyone loves it.

I have a distinct memory of walking down the street in my training community three years ago when a local dance group was dancing to this one in the street.

This video was already high on the list before I saw the beginning of this video. Simply outstanding.

6. Tu nombre en mi cuaderno - Makano



Why is this the most played song in my iTunes?

Could it be that it was the most requested song by the youth in the newspaper club when they came to my house to work?

Could it be that I then played it on repeat after they left?

5. Tres notas - Au-D



Hearing this song's opening notes just makes me nostralgic for pre-service training.

One of the staff members put on a memorable performance of this vintage Ecuadorian pop song. Needless to say, it brought the house down, and people are still talking about it.

4. Lagrimas - Aventura



I swear there has never been a studio played of this song in Ecuador. The only recording you will ever hear has the crowd in the background, which makes it that much better.

While "Tu nombre en mi cuaderno" might be the most played song on my iTunes, this is probably the song that I have heard the most in my three years. It is stil regularly played and sang along to on the buses.

3. Como hago - Eddy Herrera



Every volunteer has a techno cumbia song at the top of their list. And every one of those songs has a story behind it.

I remember hearing this song for the first time at a fiesta during my first week at site.

For some reason, the "como hago ahora para no llorar..." line was already stuck in my head the next day. It's been there for three years and counting now.

2. Waving flag - K'naan



Along with Waka Waka, this was one of the theme songs for the 2010 World Cup. I don't know if there has ever been a more uplifting, positive song ever written. When you hear it, you can't help but feel inspired.

Even after the World Cup ended, I would keep hearing this song for months afterward. Although I don't hear it as much these days on the airwaves, I wish I heard it more.

Is there a more feel-good video than a bunch of happy kids running, playing soccer, and waving their hands in the air?

You can also check out the Spanish version of this song by David Bisbal that is pretty great, as well.



1. Danza kuduro - Don Omar



If you are ever feeling a little down, if you feel like Ecuador is out to get you, there is one sure-fire way to pick your spirits up. Open up iTunes and put on this song (Or open your windows because, odds are, your neighbors are playing it). From its first notes to its unforgettable chorus to the mix of Spanish-Portuguese to the time when the artist yells out "sexy," you just can't help but feel better after hearing this song.

There are so many aspects of this song that put it at the top of this list:

• The great English dialogue between Don Omar and Luczenzo at the beginning of the video. They sound a like a couple of Ecuadorian high school students practicing for an English test.
• The fact that the video is presented by "Machete Music"
• The high ratio of yachts per minute
• The high ratio of bikini-clad dancers to artists
• The split-screen technology.
• Don Omar's ridiculous dance at the steering wheel
• The fact that nobody really knows what the song really means.

One of my friends plays an acoustic version of this song that I hope to get on YouTube very soon.

These songs have defined my time in Ecuador (40-21)

The countdown continues today as we pass the midpoint of the songs that have defined my time in Ecuador. I know that there were some pretty extreme commentaries on the first installment, but I stand by where I put Gerardo Moran.

Now, let's get things going.

40. Chica virtual - Don Omar y Arcangel



The song doesn't actually start until 1:11 of the video. But the anticipation is outstanding. You can't help but shake your body when you hear the first notes.

39. El dengue - El loko



This mix has so much going for it.
The name
The DJ's name
The only words in the song are "Drop it like it's hot, baby."

This is enough to put it at 39 on the list.

38. Stand by me - Prince Royce



There are about 15 seconds of silence before the video starts. Don't worry. You'll start snapping right away.

We should create a computer program that can automatically transform Motown sounds into bachata. I can't wait for My Girl's bachata version. It would an automatic top-10 hit.

My roommate pointed out that we are some of the only people in Ecuador who can sing these entire half-English, half-Spanish (miti-miti) compilations.

37. Si no le contesto - Plan B



This is one of those songs that when you first get here, you hate it. But as the months pass by, you notice your tapping your feet at first. Then the next month the head starts bobbing. Before you know, you're dancing with the other Ecuadorians on the bus and singing along.

36. Ai se eu te pegou - Michel Telo



If you were in Omnibus 101 and didn't extend your service, this song alone will make you regret that decision.

You might be wondering why this Portuguese song showed up on this list. But after hearing the thirty seconds, you can imagine how it caught fire like a gasoline-laden pile of garbage.

35. Celos - Fanny Lu



Whereas "Es un secreto" drives you nuts and then you start to like, this one just drives you nuts.

34. Amor de contrabando - Jenny Rivera



When I told my roommates that this song is in the 30s, they were blown away that it wasn't in the top 20. Keep in mind that my roommates had 40 songs in their top 20.

As soon as you hear the first notes in this song, the hips just rise and start moving.

33. El doctorado - Tony Dize



Like many other reggaeton songs, this one gets off to a slow start. But before you know it, your mind is on a yacht dreaming of bikini-clad women.

32. Estos celos - Vicente Fernandez



I couldn't tell you where this song is played. I guess it's one of your more up-beat dancing songs. A little more uplifting than Julio Jaramillo. I can't tell you how many times I've yodeling "Ayyyyy, ayyyy amor."

31. Es tan dificil - Zacarias Ferreira



Wait until you hit the chorus at 1:05, and tell me that this tune isn't already stuck in your head.

30. Baila moreno - Zuccero



The intro sounds like it is out of the late 70s, but then the rock hits and you are belting the lyrics by the chorus. You know you are going to scream "What you say?" My roommate clarifies that at least every gringo is going to scream it.

One of my friends plays an outstanding acoustic version of this song. I'll try to record him next time his brings his ax to my apartment.

29. De rodillas de pido - Luis Miguel de Amargue



This song is vintage bachata. Bachate is a musical genre that is really popular in the jungle. When a coastal PC staff member heard volunteers singing along to these songs, he said "on the coast, only prostitutes and brothel-goers" listen to this music. I've never been to a brothel, but I did live on the coast, so I can't confirm that report.

28. Llamado de emergencia - Daddy Yankee



The music doesn't really get going until 43 seconds, but by 50 seconds you are already grinding up against the closest available woman or wall.

27. Waka waka - Shakira



For one month in 2010, you could be awake without hearing this song. It permeated every aspect of life. I think I remember hearing my neighbors playing while I was in the shower. Maybe I was just singing it, though.

26. Me estas tentando - Wisin y Yandel



This song doesn't stand out from the other reggaeton songs, but it belongs this high up in the list for how often it is played.

25. Juramentos - Kaliente



It was Dec. 25, 2011. I went down to the jungle to visit my roommate's old site, and his community had a baile next door to his host family's house. I called it an early night because we had a full day of digging holes, chipping teeth, and making muchines ahead of us. I was awaken at around 3 a.m. but this song. As much as I wanted to go back to sleep, I like this song so much I didn't even feel bad that it was keeping me up.

I actually kind of starting dancing in the bed.

24. Lamento boliviano - Enanitos Verdes



These guys are the definition of rockers. Check out their biography on wikipedia.

23. Loca - Shakira



This song speaks for itself - and the video even moreso.

22. Changueria - J King y Maximan



When you hear this song the first time, you wouldn't even think it's a song. Rather, you'd think it's just a couple of Latin youth screaming the same word over and over. Then you find yourself singing along. Then you find yourself singing this song to yourself as you walk down the street.

21. Guardaespaldas - Lucho Panic



The thing about this song is its versatility. It can be a great drinking song if you want or a great dancing song.

Stay tuned for tomorrow when we reveal 20-1.

These songs have defined my time in Ecuador (60-41)

I have been in Ecuador for more than three years now.

In this time, I have been exposed, willingly and unwillingly, to a wide variety of songs and musical genres that have come to define my experience in Ecuador.

As I start to wind down my time here, I have decided to share with you a slice of my daily life in Ecuador. These are the songs that I have found emblematic of my service. Some of these songs were popular on buses. Some of these songs were played over and over by my neighbors in Arenillas at 6:00 a.m. I play some of these songs for my neighbors at 6:00 a.m.

I enjoy some of these songs. I detest others. But I can´t escape the fact that they are part of my Ecuador experience.

Obviously, others will have their own opinions, and I'd love you to share them in the comments sections. I've probably left out some classics. Please let me know which ones.

Thanks to the wonders of the YouTube, you can enjoy all of these. Keep in mind that I haven't seen most of these music videos because I mostly just hear these songs on the bus.

60. A mi lindo Ecuador



This is a classic folk song in Ecuador. Everyone knows it and loves it. We were first exposed to it during pre-service training, and trainees continued to learn for every time the ambassador would visit training. I can identify it by the first notes coming out of the wind pipes.

59. Noviembre sin ti - Reik



Radio la Voz de Arenillas, the small radion station in my site, would play this one a lot. It a mixture between pop and the love ballads that are so popular in Ecuador.

58. Angel de amor - Mana



Since moving up to Quito, I have been much more exposed to the Latin rock scene. Mana is the defining Latin rock band, and this is one of their hits.

57. Fuera de mi vida - Makano



This is one of those classic songs that you would hear when you are walking down the street, and it would get stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

56. Porque es tan cruel el amor - Ricardo Arjona



The women in my counterpart office in Arenillas loved belting out Ricardo Arjona songs. This is one of their of their favorites.

55. All up to you - Aventura (ft. Akon and Wisin y Yandel)



This is become a staple on the buses in the last year.

54. Lady - DJ Mendez



A dance party favorite.

53. Dile al amor - Aventura



This song cracks the list mostly because of the first two words. From there, Aventura churns out a great bachata song. Just a great song to listen to.

52. Una vaina loca - Fuego
Yeah, I realize there is a lot of reggaeton on this list. But those are the songs that get stuck in my head, and they are the songs that the jovenes (youth) listen to. This is one of them. Much like hip hop, the beats are catchy even when the words aren't that clean.

51. On the floor - Jennifer Lopez



A dance part favorite in Ecuador.

50. Calabria 2007 - Enur



A catchy dance song that gets stuck in your head all day if you hear it once on the bus.

49. Avispas - Juan Luis Guerra



A classic salsa song, not that I learned to dance salsa.

48. Nuestro lamento - Julio Jaramillo



Nothing says Sunday like men sitting in a circle, drinking Pilsener, listening to Julio Jaramillo, and crying.

47. Sexy bitch - David Guetta



For some reason, this song reminds me of the bus from Arenillas to Machala. Why? Probably because it seemed this song was played on repeat.

46. Taboo - Don Omar



I don't have any specific memories of this song, but it has been pretty popular for the better part of a year now. It's pretty popular on your local buses and at your dance parties.

45. Aire al respirar - Au-D



Au-D is one of the pioneers of Ecuadorian pop music. He has two really popular songs that I often confuse - one of them is much more emblematic than the other. This is the less memorable of the two.

44. Es un secreto - Plan B



This Venezuelan reggaeton group has really come in in the last year or so. This song reminds me of the bus from the Peace Corps Training Center up to Quito.

43. Rain over me - Pitbull



As you can tell, Pitbull is quite popular down here. This is another common song on the bus. My roommate really likes this for the part in this song when Marc Anthony yelps.

42. Cuando es - J King y Maximan



The youth groups that I worked with in Arenillas loved this song, which meant that I heard it a lot.

41. En vida - Gerardo Moran



This song is played at every campo baile (small town community dance).

Stay tuned for the next installment of the songs that have defined my time in Ecuador.