Cristian Gonzalez
There are songs for everything, even the best songs within the Lowrider movement of all time and this is appreciated, because music serves as a soundtrack for life. For everything we feel and do there is a type of music.
There are songs for when we are sad, happy, in love, scorned, when we want to exercise motivated, when we want to ride a bike, a skateboard and of course, songs to ride a Lowrider or at least admire them, for those of us who do not have one (how sad).
Now imagine a scenario where you’re riding down the street in a classic Chicano Lowrider, which has a song blaring from the stereo, while people nearby turn their heads to admire the rare beauty of Mexican-American heritage in this land of the American dream. Doesn’t it deserve a proper soundtrack?
Lowrider’s Best Songs of All Time
There is a category for these and they became Lowrider classics without having to talk precisely about cars, because there is rather a strong connection between the “oldies Lowrider” songs that were played at that time and also some that were related after being adopted by other social sectors.
These songs exist and today we bring them to you in a top 8 of the best Lowrider songs of all time for you to enjoy on your Lowrider or when watching one.
8.- WAR – Low Rider
Part of what happened with the Chicano Lowrider phenomenon in the 1980s is that it infiltrated other social groups that felt left behind in the United States, such as the Chicano mimes who adopted those remnants of American consumerism to create their cultural and aesthetic expression, adopted by blacks and the hip hop world.
7.- El Chicano – Sabor A Mí
Sabor a mí by El Chicano became one of those classic songs that sounded in the midst of all this context of creation and tuning of those classics relegated by the American society, but that would become part of the cultural heritage of Chicanos. That’s why this song is not to be missed in this top.
6.- Santo & Johnny – Sleepwalk
Santo & Johnny’s Sleepwalk is another one of those unmissable classics of the Lowrider culture, it’s impossible to listen to it and not imagine yourself in one of those tuned cars with the window down, cruising around the neighborhood or highway of your choice while people turn their eyes to admire the rare beauty of that modified classic.
5.- Cypress Hill – Lowrider
We put Cypress Hill on the list mostly because they are an important part of Chicano rap within the United States, perhaps one of the pioneers of the Spanish-language genre made by people of Latino descent. In addition, as we mentioned before, hip hop was part of those other social sectors that adopted the Lowrider culture.
4.- James & Bobby Purify – I’m Your Puppet
I’m your puppet is another one of those classic Lowrider tracks that can’t be missed in a list referring to the Chicano tuning culture. It has all the atmosphere of an old song played on an Impala tape deck in the early years of the Lowrider.
3.- Shep & The Limelites – Daddy’s Home
More vocal groups in this list of all-time classics and best songs about Lowrider culture, with the song Daddy’s home by Shep & The Limelites, makes it clear that music not only sets the mood, but can also evoke things we didn’t even live.
2.- Barbara Mason – Yes, I’m Ready
Another classic from yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever by Barbara Manson with Yes, I’m ready. Barbara Manson is another example of how music perhaps completely alien to the Chicano culture became part of the Lowrider cultural movement created by them.
1.- Ritchie Valens – We Belong Together
There can’t be a playlist that has to do with the Chicano community without mentioning Ritchie Valens, the Mexican-American rock and roll singer and guitarist of Mexican descent who was one of the pioneers of the genre, singing in both Spanish and English. One of Ritchie’s great songs to enjoy a Lowrider ride with more romantic overtones.
