The 100 Best Telenovela Theme Songs: Finally, We Reveal 20-1

The story: Based on the novel by Colombian writer Juan Gossaín, “La Mala Hierba” (Bad Weed) from Caracol network was perhaps the first narco-novela. It told the story of El Cacique Miranda, a man from the Colombian coast who accidentally enters the marijuana business, accumulating wealth and misfortune. The theme song was performed by vallenato legend and three-time winner of the vallenato festival Alfredo Gutiérrez, who also appeared in a cameo.

Why It Connected: The nighttime telenovela, considered violent for its time, caused a sensation and was a harbinger of the future of drug trafficking and the havoc it would wreak on Colombia.

The Story: Set in 1940s Mexico City, the telenovela unfolds in the Kumbala cabaret, a center of high society and clandestine dramas. The narrative focuses on Isabela, a wealthy young woman, who must navigate through a labyrinth of social expectations while dealing with her love for Adolfo amidst family disapproval and dramatic rivalries.

Why it connected: In a twist, the theme song was an instrumental piano ballad by the late great composer Bebu Silvetti. It set the tone of mystery that perfectly encapsulated the secret world of Kumbala. Its haunting melody resonates with the novel’s themes: forbidden love, ambition, and betrayal.

The Story: Florencia Bertotti stars in this modern version of Cinderella produced in Argentina. Florencia, a young orphan who works in a produce shop and sings in a band with her friends, performs at a party for the Fritzenwalden family, changing her life forever.

Why It Connected: The music reflected the fresh and vibrant energy of Floricienta, making each song an anthem among fans and creating a lasting bond. It was key in conquering young audiences in 40 countries and inspiring global adaptations.

The Story: Francisco el matemático (Francisco the Mathematician) is the story of a good-hearted young mathematics teacher who navigates the problems of his high school students at a district school in Bogotá. Originally conceived as a weekly series, it became a daily soap opera thanks to its success.

Why It Connected: Francisco dealt with the real problems of young people from different social strata. The series benefited from its theme song, an adaptation of the party dance song “El revoliático,” which famously uses the phrase “Francisco el matemático.” The song, a classic in Colombia composed by Alvaro Mercado and Alcides Díaz, was repurposed for the series in the voice of Diana Angel.

The Story: Produced by Venevisión and written by César Miguel Rondón, this Venezuelan soap opera delves into the intricate lives of a wealthy patriarch and his three daughters, exploring the depths of their complex romantic entanglements. It unveils of long-held family secrets, and the personal challenges they face.

Why It Connected: The slow-burning theme song, with its emotive lyrics and Rigó’s evocative voice, perfectly mirrored the internal conflicts and romantic depth of the series, striking a chord with the audience.

The Story: Desde que te conocí (Since I Met You) is an adaptation of telenovela Señora Isabel, which was also adapted before as Mirada de Mujer, all with enormous success. The plot revolves around a woman played by Victoria Ruffo, who is deceived by her husband and after divorcing meets a much younger man (Mauricio Ochman), who inspires her to move forward. The main theme song, written by Sandra Bustos and Ángelo, was performed by Ruffo herself.

Why It Connected: The relationship that arises between an older woman and a younger man, ended many prejudices.

The Story: This Venezuelan soap opera starring Catherine Fulop and Fernando Carrillo tells the story of the pampered Abigaíl, the only daughter of a wealthy businessman who falls in love with her school literature teacher, Carlos Alfredo. After immediately having a child with him, the young protagonist, in a moment of mental delirium, gives her baby away to an unknown taxi driver. Abigaíl will spend the next few years fighting to recover both her son and Carlos Alfredo’s love.

Why It Connected: With powerful lyrics about longing for the past and the sadness of not being able to be with your loved one, “Oh, No (No Te Quiero Olvidar)” by Fernando y Juan Carlos fit perfectly with the plotline, amplifying the emotions of its characters in the audience’s hearts as the opening theme of the show.

The Story: This teen-oriented telenovela, starring Anahí and Kuno Becker, premiered in 2000, during the “golden age” of Mexican pop music of the late ’90s and early 2000s. In this new version of Quinceañera, Anahí plays Jovana Luna, who lives in a humble home and, in her free time, works at a café to help her father with household expenses. She falls in love with León Baldomero (Kuno), but her mother rejects him because he’s humble mechanic.

Why It Connected: The story resonated with the Y2K generation by focusing not only on the love story but also on topics like drugs, sex, teenage pregnancy, family dynamics, and eating disorders. The song is a rebellious pop-rock singalong performed by Lynda Thomas (known as Lynda), who later retired from music.

The Story: Produced by José Enrique Crousillat and Malú Crousillat for Televisa, the plot is the typical forbidden love where the humble woman falls in love with the rich man. In it, Morelia (Alpha Acosta) escapes from her native Michoacán and goes to Miami where she works in a nightclub. One of her clients sues her and the lawyer Carlos Montero (Arturo Peniche) comes to the rescue.

Why It Connected: Like most telenovelas, it was full of drama. On top of that, Cristian Castro’s plaintive performance of “Morelia,” a ballad, almost compelled you to watch. The song hit No. 30 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart in 1995.

The Story: This melodrama, produced by soap opera iconic producer Rosy Ocampo for Televisa, is one of the most emblematic children’s telenovelas on Mexican television, and tells the story of a children’s musical group whose name gives the TV show its title. The protagonists are twin sisters separated at birth, both played by Belinda, who was later replaced by Daniela Luján due to work commitments, as stated by the production at the time.

Why It Connected: Music was key to its popularity. “The Froggie Dance” became an iconic song for Belinda. In 2016, the singer debunked rumors that she disliked performing it live, and this year, performed it corrido tumbao style during her performance at the Arre festival.

The Story: This children’s musical telenovela, produced by Rosy Ocampo, tells the story of a group of children — the “Alegrijes” (or Happies) and the “Rebujos” (Grumpies) — who discover a haunted mansion. Eventually, they realize it’s “haunted” by the eccentric and well-meaning Don Darvelio. Now, the children music find a way to beat evil Helga, who wants to get rid of orphan Sofía, the only one who has the power to destroy her.

Why it connected: Think Harry Potter meets High School Musical, plus key breakout roles for Diego Bonetta and Allisson Lozz.

The Story: This adaptation of the first version of Esmeralda from 1970 stars Venezuelan actors Grecia Colmenares (Topacio) and Víctor Cámara (Jorge Luis) as a blind country girl and the son of a wealthy landowner, respectively. They fall in love and become entangled in a series of lies that prevent them from being together throughout the plot.

Why It Connected: Although it appeared to be the typical story of a poor girl falling in love with a rich man, the protagonist overcame professional and emotional challenges. The main theme song was performed by Venezuelan actor and singer Carlos Mata.

The Story: Starring Lucía Méndez and Andrés García, this Mexican soap opera tells the story of Antonio Lombardo, who, after losing his memory in an accident, falls in love with Raquel, a woman deceived by his ambitious stepbrother.

Why It Connected: The lyrics reflect the protagonist’s internal struggle, which allowed the audience to identify with her suffering. This would be one of many soap operas to which Mendez lent her voice in addition to her acting skills.

The Story: Six women who work in a real estate agency face different problems; one is diagnosed with cancer (Rebecca Jones); another suffers from psychological abuse from her partner (Nailea Norvind); another is beaten by her alcoholic husband (Alejandra Barros); another is in a constant power struggle with her husband (Sophie Alexander); another is psychologically manipulated by her partner (África Zavala); and the sixth (Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez), was cheated on by her husband with a younger woman.

Why It Connected: The female audience felt identified with the stories, and the song by Kany García, a powerful female artist, was also used in a campaign against domestic violence. It reached No. 22 on Billboard‘s Latin Pop Airplay chart.

The Story: The plot revolves around the Hierro Family (starring Blanca Guerra and Alejandro Camacho as the parents) and their children (Angelique Boyer and Jorge Poza). The lives of adults and young people with their own problems were part of the first soap opera broadcast on the 10:00 p.m. slot in Mexico, setting a precedent for prime time which remains in place today.

Why It Connected: Showcasing a family like any other was the first hook. The voice of Fonseca, at that time a rising artist, singing tropipop, gave it contemporary flavor.

The Story: The Mexican adaptation of the Colombian soap opera Betty La Fea had the most watched ending in the history of Mexican television at the time. The Mexican version tells the story of the intelligent but ugly Lety (Angélica Vale), who falls in love with the owner of the modeling and advertising agency Conceptos, the womanizing Fernando (Jaime Camil).

Why It Connected: The story of the underdog who manages to win is always compelling. Everyone bet on Lety. Although La fea más bella had a soundtrack with many songs, the most catchy is the danceable “El club de las feas,” which ended the soap opera every night.

The Story: One of Mexico’s most successful soap operas, Corazón Salvaje, from Televisa, tells of a love triangle between two countesses – Mónica (Edith González) and Aimée – and the illegitimate son of a landowner (Eduardo Palomo), at the beginning of the 20th century in Puerto Vallarte, Jalisco.

Why It Connected: The rivalry between the innocent Mónica and the more manipulative Aimée (starring Ana Colchero) fascinated Mexicans and launched the career of González, who died in 2019 of cancer. The theme song — written by the leading songwriter of the day, Juan Carlos Calderón, and performed by Mijares — reached No. 7 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Tracks chart.

The Story: A remake of the 1965 telenovela, La Mentira’s new version, produced by Carlos Sotomayor, is about Demetrio (Guy Ecker) trying to solve the mystery of why his brother committed suicide. All he knows is that he did it after a woman, whose name starts with a V, broke his heart. He’s on the hunt to find this woman’s identity. 

Why It Connected: La Mentira was full of star power. It began with the theme song, which in Fernández’s voice, topped the Regional Mexican Airplay chart for three weeks. Its protagonists – including Kate Del Castillo, Guy Ecker, Eric Del Castillo, Blanca Guerra and Karla Álvarez — were also stellar.

The Story: A spring of water literally divides two wealthy families. But their respective children (starring Adela Noriega and Mauricio Islas) nevertheless fall in love.

Why It Connected: The location of San Andrés Tuxtla in Veracruz, the plot, the villain and the actors made it one of the most successful Mexican soap operas. Luis Miguel’s main theme song, from his now-iconic album Mis Romances, lent even more star power to the novel.

The Story: In the Mexican telenovela, a woman, played by singer/actress Daniela Romo, lives with her family under a false identity, fleeing from a dark past. The protagonist is at the center of a complicated love triangle with two men competing for her love, adding tension and conflict to an already dangerous situation.

Why It Connected: Daniela Romo’s performance was perfectly complemented by the musical theme, composed by the legendary Juan Gabriel. The theme song is a true vocal feat. To date, “De mi enamórate” is No. 19 on Billboard‘s Greatest of All Time Hot Latin Songs chart and remains one of Romo’s best vocal works.

The Story: Inspired by the 1979 Mexican film La Niña de la Mochila Azul in which Pedrito Fernández sings and stars, Amy, La Niña de la Mochila Azul is a children’s telenovela. The story follows Amy, a young girl with a big heart and an adventurous spirit, who navigates the challenges of childhood and education while living with her sailor father in a coastal town.

Why It Connected: Performed by Danna Paola and Tatiana, the opening children’s theme song captures the innocence and dreams of Amy’s world, resonating with young viewers and their families. Additionally, “La de la Mochila Azul,” performed by Joseph Sasson, serves as the ending theme, bridging the connection to the original film and deepening the nostalgic value for audiences familiar with the classic.

The story: A sequel to the 1982 Venezuelan telenovela Ligia Elena, Nacho — also starring Alba Roversi and Guillermo Dávila — follows the male protagonist now as a famous singer struggling to balance his career and his relationship with Ligia Elena, as a manipulative music executive tries to separate them.

Why it connected: After Ligia Elena’s happy ending, where the charismatic leading couple overcame obstacles to finally be together, the audience, already invested, could not help but remain hooked on their story. Guillermo Dávila’s song was the perfect framework for this new stage of the relationship.

The Story: An adaptation of the 1988 Venezuelan soap of the same title, the Mexican version is also a story of vengeance and betrayal. Starring Julieta Egurrola, Fernando Ciangherotti and Aylín Mujica, Señora is about Dolores, a young woman whose mother (Jacinta) is the lover of the chief of her town (Julio), but her mother breaks up with him. In revenge, Julio kidnaps, enslaves and rapes Dolores. She becomes pregnant, but Julio then steals their daughter. A full-out tragedy.

Why It Connected: In the powerful ballad, Cuban singer-songwriter Francisco Céspedes chants about a young girl who had a tough life and had no choice but to grow up and become a señora at a young age. “Her soul changed/ She lost faith/ And she breathed vengeance every hour, every time,” he chants.

The Story: Cuna de Lobos is a landmark Mexican telenovela, revolving around the manipulative matriarch, Catalina Creel, portrayed by the iconic María Rubio, who will stop at nothing to secure her family’s fortune. The story becomes even more complex as secrets about family ties and true identities unfold, involving murder, betrayal and dark family secrets.

Why It Connected: The somber instrumental not only heightened the suspense but also perfectly captured the eerie and dramatic atmosphere of the telenovela. Its haunting melody became synonymous with the image of Catalina Creel, one of the most formidable villains in the history of telenovelas, sporting an iconic eye patch.

The Story: The controversial plot of Gustavo Bolívar’s Colombian telenovela addresses drug trafficking, poverty, and the obsession with physical beauty through the life of its protagonist Catalina, played by María Adelaida Puerta. Coming from a poor neighborhood, the young woman seeks to achieve luxuries through her relationship with drug trafficking. Obsessed with appearance, she undergoes surgery to attract “traquetos” (’drug dealers”), which leads her to live with the consequences of her decisions. The story succeeded, inspiring adaptations in the United States and Spain and generating reflections in Colombian society.

Why It Connected: The lyrics and style of the main song complement the plot of the telenovela, highlighting the desperation and the “hole” into which the protagonist falls due to her obsession with power and money.

The Story: This Mexican telenovela premiered 28 years ago on TV Azteca as a result of a collaborative agreement with Argos Televisión, a company owned by producer and journalist Epigmenio Ibarra, which proposed a change in the television narrative in Mexico. Alberto Barrera’s melodrama featured a cast headed by Ana Colchero, José Ángel Llamas and Demián Bichir, and became a landmark of the 1990s. It tells the story of Camila de los Reyes, daughter of a murdered politician who survives an assassination attempt.

Why It Connected: Like other Argos productions, Nada Personal proposed a different approach to traditional telenovelas by adding a social touch to its plot and addressing issues such as corruption and drug trafficking, which were novel for the time. The song of the same name, written and performed by legendary composer Armando Manzanero, accompanied by Lisset’s powerful voice, hooked the viewer as soon as the first notes of the Yucatecan maestro’s unmistakable piano sounded.

The story: Based on the Argentine radio-novela Altanera Evangelina Garret, Carmín – starring Patricia Pereyra and Roberto Moll – follows Fiorella Menchelli, a beautiful young upper-class orphan who falls in love with Mariano Tovar, her professor at the Stella Maris Design Institute, while her evil aunt Claudia (Lourdes Berninzon) tries to get between them.

Why it connected: The story of an innocent love fighting against all obstacles is irresistible. And the cheerful main theme song, co-written by Miguel “Chino” Figueroa and Roxana Valdivieso with lyrics like “I want to feel, that’s why I’m going out/ I’m going to take the city by storm,” welcomed the viewers every night to the plot with an injection of positive energy.

The Story: This Colombian telenovela took us into the lives of the Reyes brothers, who, seeking revenge, ended up falling in love with the daughters of the family they blamed. With stars such as Mario Cimarro, Danna García, Paola Rey and Michel Brown, the chemistry of the cast was essential to the success of the series, making it a cultural phenomenon in Latin American television.

Why It Connected: The title song stuck in the fans’ memory, thanks to its lyrics and catchy beat.

The Story: Airing from 1974 to 1977 as an adaptation of the Argentine telenovela Papá Corazón, Mundo de Juguete became a phenomenon in Mexico. The plot centers on the life of Cristina Salinas, played by Graciela Mauri, an orphaned girl who lives with her father Mariano, and maternal grandmother. Cristina attends a convent school where her imagination leads her to create a toy world full of imaginary friends and adventures.

Why It Connected: The main theme song written by Armando Manzanero and Bebu Silvetti and performed by Lupita D’Alessio in 1975 became the most remembered version and a symbol of the successful Mexican production that helped boost D’Alessio’s career in the 1970s.

The Story: The plot of the Argentine-Peruvian children’s soap opera revolves around the life of a girl named Pinina, played by Andrea del Boca, who, after being orphaned by her mother, must face several challenges with her father Raúl, played by Norberto Suárez. The story takes place in the boarding school where Pinina lives and focuses on the bond between father and daughter and the difficulties they face together. The soap opera was adapted in other countries, including Mundo de Juguete and Carita de Ángel in Mexico.

Why It Connected: With a tender and emotional tone and a repeated verse, the song performed by its protagonist became one of the most remembered elements of the soap opera and a symbol of the relationship between the characters of Pinina and her father.

The Story: The Mexican telenovela, starring Victoria Ruffo and Saúl Lisazo, centers on Elena, a kind-hearted woman who gets entangled in the intense dramas of a wealthy family after she becomes their employee, facing challenges that test her resilience while uncovering hidden secrets.

Why It Connected: The powerful duet by Bocelli and Sánchez became a symbol of the telenovela’s themes of enduring love and sacrifice. The emotive piano ballad resonated deeply with the audience, enhancing the emotional intensity of the soap opera. In 2024, Bocelli revisited this iconic song, creating a new version with Colombian superstar Karol G. Both versions charted on Hot Latin Songs, the original landing at No. 16 and the remake at No. 41.

The Story: This Mexican telenovela produced by Roberto Hernández Vázquez in 1999 became one of the longest-running telenovelas on Televisa, with a total of 280 chapters. The storyline follows the lives of three Uriarte women — portrayed by Erika Buenfil, Karyme Lozano and Norma Herrera — but its main protagonist is Fátima (Lozano) —  a determined woman with a strong character. The youngest of the Uriarte family, Fatima navigates love and loss and a dysfunctional family that is tinged with envy. The telenovela was soundtracked by Ricardo Arjona’s “Desnuda,” an ode to the female beauty — one that lies in being comfortable in one’s own skin. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart in 2000.

Why It Connected: Both Herrera and Buenfil were Televisa darlings but Lozano was an emerging star and she won over the fans with her convincing and moving acting skills, attracting a new generation of telenovela fans. Plus, the telenovela’s poster drew you in. It read: “This is the story of three women, which one are you?”

The Story: Starring Marlene Favela and Mario Cimarro, this Venezuelan-American production follows Rosaura Rios, a strong young woman who faces obstacles at every turn. From poverty to riches, Rosaura navigates betrayals, romances and finally her own life-changing inheritance.

Why It Connected: The song became an anthem for the audience, and without a doubt Pablo Montero’s vocal performance intensified the connection with the story.

The Story: Anan adaptation of the 1985 Venezuelan telenovela Las Amazonas, this Mexican remake aired on Televisa in 2003, starring Karyme Lozano and Sergio Goyri. The story centers on three sisters — mainly Isabela (Lozano) and their controlling father. It follows their journey to find happiness even if they have to challenge their father, whose secrets could destroy the lives of his daughters. Alejandro Fernández’s power ballad “Niña Amada Mía” was the telenovela’s theme song, and it peaked at No. 17 on the Hot Latin Songs chart in 2003.

Why It Connected: Legendary telenovela star Eric Del Castillo portrayed the father and pretty much his appearance certified the success of the telenovela. But its plot was compelling, three sisters going face to face with their father makes for a perfect coming of age story.

The Story: A remake of the Argentinian telenovela Muñeca Brava, Al Diablo Con Los Guapos — starring Allisson Lozz and Eugenio Siller — aired on Televisa in 2007. The Mexican adaptation tells the story of Milagros, who, at the age 18, leaves the convent where she was raised to work as a maid for Regina Belmonte’s wealthy family. Regina’s grandson, Alejandro, falls in love with Milagro, who is criticized by others for being poor and her wild spirit. Their forbidden love takes centerstage in this telenovela. Allisson Lozz performed the telenovela’s main theme song, which took name after the production.

Why It Connected: While for many years Televisa’s telenovelas featured the same actors, this one starred two young and promising new talent: Allisson Lozz and Eugenio Siller. It was a fresh breathe of air for television, and it connected with a younger audience.

The Story: Jaime Camil stars as Santiago “Santy” López Carmona, and Jacqueline Bracamontes plays Cándida “Candy” Morales Alcalde de Molina. Valentino Lanús portrays Patricio “Pato” Molina Lizárraga in a romantic story that involves a love triangle. In this narrative, “Candy” and “Pato” get married; however, on their wedding day, she discovers him kissing her sister. Devastated, she decides to fake her death and disappear from her friends’ lives. Later, she realizes that she is pregnant with Patricio’s child. Years later, she encounters a charming single dad and plastic surgeon, and they fall deeply in love. The theme song is from Jesse & Joy’s “Esto Es Lo Que Soy,” perfectly reflecting the story in their lyrics and how fast life can change. 

Why It Connected: In addition to the love story and different narrative, it featured three popular TV stars from that time and was Jaqueline Bracamontes and Valentino Lanús’ first novela together after they broke up in real life.

The Story: This production marked Kate del Castillo’s debut in telenovelas and became a window into the dreams of four girls from different social classes who yearn to shine at the TAES Art Academy. Along with Emma Laura, Tiaré Scanda and Cecilia Tijerina, the story captures the essence of youth and ambition.

Why It Connected: The theme song became the hallmark of the telenovela, and became a phenomenon that transcended the screen and became engraved in the collective memory of those who grew up watching it.

The Story: This Mexican telenovela that aired on Televisa in 1998 focused on the lives of four best friends navigating teenage years. All come from different backgrounds but all study in the same private school for rich kids — although one of the friends happens to be poor and is living a double life. Their rich lifestyles come with a set of challenges — including drugs and social class issues. The telenovela starred Aracely Arámbula, Angélica Vale, Michelle Vieth and Laisha Wilkins as the four best friends. Pop duo Sentidos Opuestos soundtracked the telenovela’s intro with their club-ready 90s anthem, “Fiesta.”

Why It Connected: Teen dramas had proven successful in Mexico with the previous success of Quinceañera and Muchachitas, this one was not the exception

The Story: The action-packed Mexican series follows Aurelio Casillas, a powerful drug lord who seeks to become one of the richest and most influential men in Mexico. It explores his rise in the drug trafficking industry and the challenges he faces, including betrayals, love affairs, and the complexities of family ties as he tries to secure his position.

Why It Connected: This lively norteña served as a fitting anthem for the telenovela’s rugged and ambitious theme. With its robust narrative and energetic tempo, it captured the essence of Aurelio’s fierce determination and murky moral compass. Each season features a different theme song written by Marco Flores and performed by Cardenales de Nuevo León.

The Story: Based on the bestselling novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, the series follows Teresa Mendoza (played by Kate del Castillo), a young Mexican woman who rises to power, becoming one of the most formidable figures in southern Spain’s narcotics trade. La Reina del Sur is woven with tales of survival, betrayal, and resilience as the international drug queen navigates the dangerous male-dominated criminal underworld, fighting to stay alive and sustain her dominance.

Why It Connected: The accordion-driven corrido captures the essence of the show’s perilous themes and Teresa’s tenacious spirit while highlighting the harsh and hazardous world of drug trafficking.

The Story: “Eva Luna” is an American telenovela filmed in Miami, featuring Blanca Soto, Guy Ecker, Julián Gil and Susana Dosamantes. The story centers around Eva González (played by Soto), a young woman of extraordinary beauty who is humble and hardworking. When Eva’s father is tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident, she vows to find the driver responsible. Her life spirals into chaos when she begins to suspect the man she loves may be involved. Sinister forces amplify her suspicions, leading her into a romantic relationship with the actual killer, who will stop at nothing to win her over. 

Why It Connected: The theme song for the show, performed by “La Gran Señora” Jenni Rivera, adds depth to this love story, which is overshadowed by dark family secrets, lies, deception and the ambitions of a powerful family. The story mirrors the experiences of many immigrants who come to America, as Eva arrives in California with her father and younger sister in search of a better life. However, Eva does not anticipate that her journey to happiness will first require her to endure a terrible loss.

The Story: Starring Miguel Varoni and Sandra Reyes in the lead roles, this Colombian telenovela followed the adventures of Pedro Coral Tavera, a charming womanizer who arrives in Bogotá after a love affair. His humor and famous pirulino dance made him a cultural phenomenon on Latin television.

Why It Connected: Pedro El Escamoso’s main song is “La Hormiguita” by Juan Luis Guerra. But without a doubt, the standout song is “Pirulino” by Golden Boys, related to the famous dance of the main character.

The Story: An engaging adaptation of the Brazilian telenovela O Clone, El Clon focuses on cultural diversity and the moral complexities of cloning. It centers around Jade, a Moroccan-Brazilian woman, and Lucas, a Brazilian man, whose love faces challenges due to their disparate cultural and religious backgrounds. After Lucas’s death, his uncle employs cloning technology to recreate him, leading to suspenseful and poignant developments.

Why It Connected: “El Velo del Amor” captures the essence of the series with its enchanting blend of Latin and Arabic musical influences, reflecting the intense, multicultural romance between the couple. With its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics, the song complements the telenovela’s thematic focus on the convergence of different worlds.

The story: The Mexican adaptation of the Colombian telenovela “Yo soy Betty, la fea,” the storyline centers on Letty (Angélica Vale), who starts working at “Conceptos,” a prominent modeling and advertising agency. Letty, not traditionally attractive, falls for the company’s president, Fernando Mendiola (Jaime Camil), despite his womanizing ways and engagement with Marcia Villaroel (Elizabeth Álvarez). With support from “El Club de las Feas” (The Ugly Club), Letty proves her worth and becomes Fernando’s right hand. He enlists her help to create a fake company to mask the agency’s debts, a secret they share with Vice President Omar Carvajal. Eventually, Fernando finds himself falling in love with Letty.

Why It Connected: Alongside the love triangle, the warmth and amusing moments of Letty, her parents, and her co-workers envelop the viewer in this narrative, conveying that true beauty is recognized from within the heart with a beautiful song from Colombian band Bacilos, “La Fea Más Bella,” that emphasizes the message of inner beauty.

The Story: Produced by José Alberto Castro for Televisa, this Mexican soap opera — based on a story of the same name by the writer Yolanda Vargas Dulché which has been adapted in various productions — follows Rubí, a beautiful, ambitious woman willing to do anything to climb the ladder in society. This version, the most popular on national television, was starred by Uruguayan actress Bárbara Mori in a cast including Sebastián Rulli, Eduardo Santamarina and Jacqueline Bracamontes.

Why It Connected: This version remains faithful to the character of Rubí, according to the story of Vargas Dulché. Mori performed what is perhaps her most important role on television, which allowed her to rise to Mexican cinema. Reyli Barba’s song, a pop ballad fused with tropical rhythms, was an added bonus to the melodrama. The music video also featured Mori.

The Story: Set in the private boarding Elite Way School in Buenos Aires, “Rebelde Way” follows four high school students who come together for their love of music. Directed by Cris Morena and Martín Mariani, the Argentine soap opera has had many remakes, including the 2004 Mexican version Rebelde, starring Dulce María, Maite Perroni, Anahí, Alfonso Herrera, Christopher von Uckermann and Christian Chávez.

Why It Connected: Argentine band Erreway helms the pop-rock intro, “Rebelde Way.” Its positive lyrics describe the feeling of growing up and conserving longtime friendships. “Whatever happens/ Whatever it costs/Today everything changes, and nothing will be the same/ The good times/ The great secrets/ That we lived together, will not be lost,” they chant.

The Story: In this Mexican telenovela, the friendship between two couples sparks a love triangle that destroys 20 years of marriage. After a fatal accident, betrayals and secrets come to light that leave everyone as potential culprits.

Why It Connected: The song provides an emotional charge that intensifies the connection with the story, especially in key scenes. The lyrics reflect many of the feelings of the plot, connecting with the viewer and making it stay in their memory.

The Story: With an intense plot that captivated everyone, La Intrusa starred Gabriela Spanic and Arturo Peniche. The story follows Virginia, who secretly marries a dying millionaire to protect her children. After his death, she faces the scorn of her in-laws and the thirst for revenge of her twin sister.

Why It Connected: Emmanuel’s song and his performance helped raise the dramatic tension and consolidate the popularity of the series, remaining a symbol of the drama that defined the telenovela on Mexican television.

The Story: Based on the Argentinean telenovela Los Roldán, the Mexican adaptation — titled Una Familia Con Suerte and produced by Juan Osorio for Televisa — starred Arath De La Torre, Mayrín Villanueva and Luz Elena González star as the main protagonists. The title, which translates to “a family with luck,” tells the story of a humble family taken in by a wealthy businesswoman (Doña Fernanda) after the head of the family (Pancho López) saves her life. The woman is impressed by Pancho’s morals and ethics and names him the sole heir of her multi-million dollar company. That decision doesn’t end up sitting well with many people, but Pancho’s charming personality remains sure to win people over.

Why It Connected: While your typical rags-to-riches story, this telenovela was just as heartwarming as it was entertaining. Plus, the telenovela’s theme song was Mexican rock star Alejandra Guzmán “Un Día de Suerte,” which peaked at No. 9 on the Hot Latin Songs chart.

The Story: Created and directed by César Miguel Rondón, the Venezuelan telenovela follows the love triangle between family members Angela and Emilia and a young doctor named Francisco. In the soap, starring Eva Blanco, Ruddy Rodríguez, Luis Jose Santander and Abril Méndez, Francisco is married to Emilia but falls in love with Angela, not knowing the two women are related.

Why It Connected: A timeless Ricardo Montaner track, “Tan Enamorados” narrates a person who’s deeply in love. He sings: “And I will keep you company/ Beyond life/ I swear that above/ I will love you more/ I’m so in love that like this/ The night lasts a little longer.” The song hit Top 10 on the Hot Latin Songs chart in 1988.

The Story: In 2012, Violetta put on the radar a then-rising actress and singer Martina Stoessel, artistically known as TINI. Filmed in Buenos Aires, Violetta is about a talented teen girl who returns to her native Argentina after living in Europe for many years. For three seasons, the telenovela aired on Disney Channel from 2012 to 2015.

Why It Connected: Singing about the trials and tribulations of growing up, a positive and once teenaged TINI sings: “And I wake up again in my world/ Being what I am/ And I won’t stop for a second/ My destiny is today.” Both “En Mi Mundo” and Violetta paved the way for the Argentine pop star’s fruitful music career.

The Story: Starring Edith González and the late Eduardo Palomo, Corazón Salvaje is as passionate as its title, which translates to “wild heart.” Taking place at the dawn of the 20th century in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, the Mexican telenovela showcases the profound and magical passion between two young people who are completely different, but have an intense bond.

Why It Connected: Backed by dramatic violins and weeping flamenco guitars, the telenovela’s theme song finds Mexican singer-songwriter Mijares longing for a love story to never end. “Don’t leave my side/ Don’t destroy our dreams/ Don’t dare to separate us,” he passionately sings.

The Story: Lupita López (Mariana Levy), a law student, works in the mornings in the toy department of the Sares Rochild department store, where her godfather works as a guard and has her secretly living with him. At night the girl walks around the place, dreaming of being able to have many of the things she sees. One day he meets Alfredo Rochild (Eduardo Palomo) in the owner’s waiting room, thinking that he is a young man looking for work. He realizes the confusion and lies to her, introducing himself as Carlos to play along. He pretends to be poor and they live a series of adventures together as employees, which allows them to meet and fall in love.

Why It Connected: The sweetness that Mariana Levy projected was essential to captivate viewers of all ages, and the same happened with Eduardo Palomo, who was seen as the tender heartthrob. The eponymous song, performed by Levy, added a touch of magic when opening each episode. This soap opera remained engraved in the public’s memory, furthermore, because both actors died when they were quite young: Levy in 2005, at the age of 39, and Palomo in 2003, at 41.

The Story: A Mexican adaptation of the Argentine soap opera Andrea Celeste, Chispita, starring Lucero, revolves around a girl entering adolescence who was separated from her mother when she lost her memory in an accident. The girl grows up in an orphanage and is adopted by a widowed businessman whose life she comes to brighten. As the plot progresses, her mother finds her, and she and her protector fall in love to finally start a family.

Why It Connected: Lucero’s charisma — along with the emotional theme song — was essential to captivate both adult and young audiences. It was only the third such soap opera that had a child as the protagonist.

The Story: It was the first of “Las Marías,” three telenovelas starring Thalía (along with Marimar and María la del Barrio) that became a phenomenon of the time. María Mercedes is a humble young woman who works tirelessly to support her family, facing the contempt of her own brothers and the absence of her mother. Her life takes a turn when Santiago, a millionaire on the verge of death, chooses her as his heir. This unexpected fortune unleashes a series of intrigues, impossible loves and confrontations, while she fights to earn the respect and love of those around her.

Why It Connected: The song, performed by Thalía, was more than catchy; it became a fundamental element that catapulted the popularity of the series by capturing the struggles and dreams of the main character.

The story: A classic among Colombian telenovelas inspired by magical realism, Las Juanas — written by Bernardo Romero Pereiro and produced by RCN Televisión — follows the five illegitimate daughters of Don Calixto Salgero, all from different mothers and all named Juana, who arrive in the town of Corosal to be close to their father and their brother Rubén. Juana Valentina is the oldest, impulsive, passionate and beautiful. Juana Caridad, the “nun”, is sweet, calm and very religious. Juana Bautista has a gypsy air and is very spiritual and wise. Juana Manny is a born fighter, athletic and aggressive. Juana Matilde, the youngest, is charming, absent-minded and loves to sing. Doña Salgero, Don Calixto’s mortified wife, doesn’t know what to do to get these “bastards” out of Corosal. But with the help of her nephew Manuel, she plans to make their lives miserable. Things only get worse when Doña Salgero begins to suspect that her son, Rubén, has fallen in love with one of his sisters.

Why it connected: With a stellar cast led by Angie Cepeda, Rafael Novoa, Catherine Siachoque, Orlando Lamboglia, Carolina Sabino, Nicolás Tovar, Xilena Aycardi, Jorge Cárdenas, Susana Torres and Freddy Flórez, Las Juanas quickly conquered the hearts of viewers with its unique story, the freshness of its characters, its Caribbean landscapes and a song of the same name as contagious and cheerful as its protagonists.

The Story: Written by Fernando Gaitán and starring Margarita Rosa de Francisco and Guy Ecker, this Colombian telenovela follows Teresa Suárez, a humble coffee picker nicknamed “Gaviota” who meets Sebastián Vallejo, the grandson of the owner of the farmland where she works. They both fall deeply in love and plan to be together even if it means going against the will of his family, but fate separates them, and they must overcome many obstacles before they can find their way back together.

Why It Connected: Café con Aroma de Mujer marked a milestone in Latin American soap operas by presenting for the first time two environments that had not been united in such a way. Both rural and modern areas of Colombia played an important role in the development of production, taking place in the heart of the coffee plantations, offering a panoramic and authentic view of the culture of the coffee pickers, as well as in the capital of Bogota. The title song, performed Margarita Rosa de Francisco, was the perfect complement to the story: a moving ballad about heartbreak and resilience that metaphorically compares the protagonist to a seagull, as a symbol of freedom and the spirit’s ability to fly through on top of the problems.

The Story: This Venezuelan telenovela marked a milestone in television at the time. Written by Delia Fiallo and produced by Radio Caracas Televisión, Cristal starred Lupita Ferrer, Jeannette Rodríguez and Carlos Mata, with a story that follows Victoria — a peasant turned fashion house executive — who searches for a daughter she abandoned years ago. Meanwhile, she hires Cristina as a model for her company, and gives her the stage name Cristal. The drama’s mix of love, revenge and redemption connected with the public and established itself as a cultural reference.

Why It Connected: La Scala’s emotional rendition of “Mi Vida Eres Tú” connected with fans, becoming an anthem that helped boost the series’ popularity.

The Story: Starring Angelique Boyer in the title role, alongside Sebastián Rulli as Arturo de la Barrera and Aarón Díaz as Mariano Sánchez Suárez, this novela presents a love triangle involving a beautiful and intelligent woman trapped in a life of extreme poverty. Despite her captivating appearance and the unwavering support of her devoted parents, Teresa harbors deep resentment due to the harsh realities of her life — including the painful loss of her younger sister, Rosa, who tragically passed away. With dreams of a better future, Teresa is determined to escape her circumstances, and to do so, she plans to use her beauty as a tool and renounces Mariano, her one true love.

Why It Connected: Gloria Trevi’s vocal and interpretive strength on “Esa Hembra es Mala” encapsulated the fiercely strong character of Teresa, a woman focused solely on herself and her ambitions, without regard for morality or her family. In the end, she faces the consequences of her mistakes.

The Story: This Venezuelan short telenovela was written by Pilar Romero and starred Elluz Peraza and José Luis Rodríguez “El Puma,” who also recorded the series’ eponymous theme song. The story follows Silvia Patricia, a model whose fiancé Agustín, with whom she is expecting a child, dies in an accident. In order not to remain a single mother, she marries his older brother, a successful singer named Jorge Leonardo. Things get complicated when third parties try to get in the way of their relationship, while Agustín — who had not actually died, but was left with a disfigured face — reappears in their lives.

Why It Connected: In just 34 episodes, Sueño Contigo captured the viewers attention with the complexities of a plot that pitted two families against each other. The charisma of its stars, and the song performed by El Puma, made it an irresistible bet.

The Story: An adaptation of the 1983 telenovela Bodas de Odio, this soap opera — starring Daniela Castro, Angelique Boyer, Sebastián Rulli — follows the story of Montserrat (Boyer), who was forced by her mother to marry a wealthy man as a solution of her family’s economic problems. The telenovela won five awards at the 33rd TVyNovelas Awards including best lead actor for Rulli’s performance. 

Why It Connected: Enrique Iglesias’ and Marco Antonio Solis’ “El Perdedor” best captures this story about manipulation, social position, love, and betrayal. “I prefer to let you go than to be your prisoner/And don’t go around saying that you are the owner of my feelings,” goes the song, which nabbed best theme novelero at the 2014 Premios Juventud. 

The story: Written by Delia Fiallo and starring Mayra Alejandra and Carlos Olivier, this Venezuelan telenovela follows Leonela Ferrer, a young woman engaged to be married who one night is raped on a beach by a drunk man, Jorge Luis Guerra (Olivier). Her fiancé refuses to marry her, her closest friends abandon her — and, upon finding out that she is pregnant by her attacker, she ends up giving her baby up for adoption. Leonela later becomes a lawyer and imprisons Jorge Luis for 12 years, time during which he falls in love with her and regrets what he did, while she regrets giving up their son.

Why it connected: With a theme song as dramatic as the telenovela itself, Leonela made an impact among viewers at the time for its raw and scandalous plot and its stars heartfelt performances. “Ladrón de tu Amor” (Thief of your Love), passionately performed by Gualberto Ibarreto, was the perfect song to frame this story.

The story: Written by César Miguel Rondón and starring Alba Roversi and Guillemo Dávila, Ligia Elena is the love story between a high society, naive young woman and a charming musician, Nacho, whose relationship faces various obstacles. She is a rich girl and he is the son of her family’s driver; she is engaged to a young lawyer, and he is in a relationship with another girl. Eventually, Nacho achieves fame as a singer, and he and Ligia Elena end up together.

Why it connected: Ligia Elena was as sweet as it was entertaining, and its charismatic stars became one of the most iconic telenovela couples on Venezuelan TV — so much so, that its sequel Nacho is also on this list (at No. 79). “Solo Pienso en Ti,” today a classic of the Venezuelan pop songbook, was the perfect complement to this story of youthful love and helped catapult Guillermo Dávila as a singer.

The Story: The Reyes brothers vow to avenge the death of their younger sister, who was cheated on by the father of the Elizondo sisters, whom they decide to love and then abandon. Throughout the plot, the characters become intertwined as interest grows in what will happen when the truth comes out. Finally everything comes to light, including who killed the Reyes’ sister, and the love between the couples triumphs.

Why It Connected: The cast was star-studded: Adela Noriega, Nora Salinas and Elizabeth Álvarez made perfect chemistry with leading men Eduardo Yáñez, Jorge Salinas and Pablo Montero, and that was reflected on screen. The theme song “Para Siempre,” a hit by Vicente Fernández written by Joan Sebastian, added to the protagonists’ feelings — with verses such as “Let’s forget the past and what people say. The truth is that I love you and you love me forever.”

The Story: Produced by Valentín Pimstein for Televisa, this telenovela represents the first Mexican adaptation of the Argentine classic of the same name by Celia Alcántara. It starred Victoria Ruffo, Manuel Saval and Jaime Garza. It portrays the drama of an innocent young woman who leaves her hometown in search of a better life in the big Mexican capital, where she gets a job as a domestic worker in the home of a wealthy family. She has an affair with the bosses’ son, and he abandons her while she’s pregnant.

Why It Connected: The aspirational story of the young country girl who migrates to the city in search of better opportunities — and her story of resilience — grabbed the interest of the Mexican audience, making this one of the most successful telenovelas of its time. It is the most important role Ruffo has played in her career. The theme song, which also had an instrumental version, added drama to the evening program.

The Story: This Mexican telenovela was produced by Valentín Pimstein for Televisa as an adaptation of the Argentine melodrama Señorita Maestra (1985), which in turn was inspired by another Argentine telenovela Jacinta Pichimahuida, created by Abel Santa Cruz. It became one of the most popular TV shows of the late 1980s in Mexico. The plot tells of the daily life of students and their teacher in an elementary school, featuring the problems they face within their families and in the classroom.

Why It Connected: The series captivated with its story about the students of teacher Ximena (Gabriela Rivero). The melodrama highlights values such as love, friendship and trust, as well as exposing the difference between social classes — represented by the young Cirilo Rivera (Pedro Javier Vivero) and María Joaquina Villaseñor (Ludwika Paleta).

The Story: The Mexican telenovela Despertar Contigo, produced by Televisa, is an adaptation of the acclaimed Colombian production Pobre Pablo (2000). The plot follows Pablo, a humble messenger for a flower shop, who falls in love with Maia, a privileged young woman. Between romantic and comedic moments, the story explores the fight for dreams and a love capable of overcoming social differences.

Why It Connected: Although Despertar Contigo faced rating challenges, one of its most memorable aspects was the use of Carlos Vives’ “Volví a Nacer” as the main theme. This 2012 tropipop hit reached the top of the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts in October of the same year. Its message of deep love and its cheerful rhythm made it the perfect complement to the story.

The Story: Starring Bárbara Mori, Eduardo Santamarina, Jacqueline Bracamontes, Sebastián Rulli, and Ana Martín, this telenovela tells the story of Rubí (Mori), a beautiful but poor young lady who’s obsessed with money. Characterized by her ambitious and wicked personality, Rubí likes to play around with people without thinking of the consequences, and hopes to become wealthy by becoming friends with the rich people at her university.  

Why It Connected: Mexican artist Reyli brings to life the captivating pop-rock track “La Descarada.” The song perfectly describes who Rubí is: “She is shameless/ Because she is the most beautiful/ She has almost nothing/ But she likes the expensive life,” he chants on the timeless tune. 

The Story: Thrilled about their quinceañera (fifteens party), this telenovela follows the story of two best friends and classmates: Maricruz (Adela Noriega) and Beatriz (Thalía). The former is from a working-class family, the latter comes from a wealthy family. Quinceañera, considered the first teen novela in Mexico, touched topics on substance abuse, date rape, and gangs. The novela won eight awards at the 1988 TVyNovelas Awards including best female revelation for Thalía.  

Why It Connected: Mexican pop group Timbiriche — helmed by Thalía, Paulina Rubio and Edith Márquez, to name a few — are behind the popular quinces track. Backed by a pop-valz fusion, they chant about a teenage girl who’s looking forward to her big day: “Now the woman who slept inside me wakes up/ And little by little the girl dies/ The adventure of life begins.”

The Story: A melodrama produced by Nicandro Díaz for Televisa as an adaptation in a second Mexican version of Café, Con Aroma de Mujer (1994), a famous Colombian RCN telenovela about love and intrigue in the Colombian coffee-growing tradition. For this iconic version, the story takes the agave and its star product, tequila, as a common thread — and stars actors Angélica Rivera and Eduardo Yáñez.

Why It Connected: The romance between “La Gaviota” (Rivera) and Rodrigo (Yáñez) and the intrigue of the plot captivated viewers with this Mexican version, which showed the process of making the famous tequila. Her role in this soap opera immortalized Angélica Rivera, who outside the small screen — and after marrying former Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto (2012-2018) — continued to be called that nickname by the public. Pepe Aguilar’s “Por Amarte (Destilando Amor)” soundtracked the telenovela’s opening credits.

The Story: A new version of the Mexican telenovela Dulce Desafiío from the 1980s, Locura de Amor offered a modernized take on the script that followed 17-year-old Natalia Sandoval, whose rebellious spirit is getting her into all sorts of trouble at her high-class boarding school. The telenovela, produced by Roberto Gómez Fernández for Televisa, starred Juan Soler, Adriana Nieto (later replaced by Irán Castillo), Laisha Wilkins, Juan Peláez and Gabriela Platas.

Why It Connected: If Natalia’s riveting story wasn’t enough to pull you in, teen band OV7’s “Enloquéceme” would do the trick. The pop track — the telenovela’s main theme song — came with choreography and all that the stars would dance to at the top of the opening credits. Teens were glued to the television screen to learn the dance moves.

The Story: Salomé is the third remake of Chilean telenovela La Colorina and stars Edith González, Guy Ecker, Sebastián Ligarde and Mónika Sánchez. The story revolves around Salomé (González), who lives in a cabaret and is the show’s main dancer. Her refuge is her dressing room, and through dance she found a way to mask her challenging past (Salomé was abandoned by her parents as a child).  

Why It Connected: In the telenovela, Salomé meets Julio, a wealthy, married man, whom she has a deep connection with and a forbidden love. Marco Antonio Solis’ heartfelt ballad attests to their story, where he chants: “There is nothing more difficult than living without you […] If you hadn’t left, I would be so happy.”

The Story: Based on the 1913 Spanish play The Unloved Woman by Jacinto Benavente, La Malquerida tells the story of Acacia, who suffers the tragic loss of her father and resentfully lives under the shadow of her mother. Her mother’s remarriage introduces a simmering tension, as her new husband secretly falls in love with Acacia. This telenovela weaves a complex narrative of forbidden love, jealousy, and betrayal within a fragmented family structure, leading to unexpected and dramatic revelations.

Why It Connected: “La Malquerida,” performed by Cristian Castro, Jesús Navarro (lead singer of band Reik), and Melissa Robles (member of trio Matisse), penetrates the emotional landscape of the series with its heartfelt and soulful execution. The trio’s vocal harmony and emotive interpretation underscore the themes of unrequited love and familial discord, capturing the underlying melancholy and tension that propel the telenovela’s plot. 

The Story: An adaptation of the Argentine telenovela, Patito Feo, or ugly duckling in English, the Mexican telenovela Atrévete a Soñar, which translates to dare to dream, focuses on Patito (Danna Paola) and her journey to integrate into a new school where she has friends and enemies alike. The latter group bullies her for being the ugly duckling of the school. As she’s overcoming obstacles in school, she meets the boy who she considers to be Prince Charming, Mateo (Eleazar Gómez), who just so happens to be her nemesis’ boyfriend.

Why It Connected: Patito was like Betty, the star of the super successful Colombian telenovela Betty La Fea, but in kid version. It also featured breakout star Danna Paola, who went on to become an iconic singer. While the telenovela had a whole soundtrack, it was Paola’s sweet “Mundo de Caramelo” that really stuck.

The Story: This telenovela starring Verónica Castro and Sergio Jiménez follows a young woman who becomes pregnant while unmarried and must face social prejudice and the harshness of her father, who strips her of her child and, without her knowledge, has him killed. However, the protagonist’s nanny saves the baby and takes him away to prevent him from being harmed. Over the years, mother and son will meet again.

Why It Connected: Based on a novel by Cuban writer Félix Benjamín Caignet Salomón, El Derecho de Nacer addressed complex social issues such as machismo, patriarchy, racism, traditionally conservative families and abortion. It marked Verónica Castro’s return to the screen after Los Ricos También Lloran, and generated media interest and because the actress was also a single mother. The actress performed the main theme, “Ven”, which encapsulated the protagonist’s longing. The telenovela also marked the acting debut of her son, singer Cristian Castro.

The Story: After Señora Isabel and before Victoria, Mirada de Mujer was the Mexican adaptation of the story about a mature lady who falls in love with a young man after being divorced and cheated on by her husband. Starring Angélica Aragón (María Inés) and Ari Telch (Alejandro Salas), this version broke the mold and became a television phenomenon — to the point that, for the first time, a TV Azteca telenovela beat Televisa in ratings.

Why It Connected: In Mexico this was a taboo subject, which in itself generated interest, and the convincing performances by Aragon and Telch kept viewers’ attention. This coupled with the theme song “Dime,” written by Armando Manzanero and performed by Aranza, with a beautiful melody and profound lyrics that fit perfectly with the plot.

The Story: This telenovela, produced by Carla Estrada for Televisa, became one of the very few Mexican telenovelas that focuses on the life of an indigenous female protagonist and her community. The story was written by Yolanda Vargas Dulché and adapted by René Muñoz. Starring Adela Noriega, Fernando Carrillo, Lorena Herrera and Rafael Rojas, the story follows the humble María Isabel (Noriega) who begins working in the home of Ricardo Mendiola (Carrillo), a wealthy widower who María Isabel falls in love with. Although it’s a forbidden love, they end up finding happiness after trials and tribulations.

Why It Connected: Adela Noriega was a telenovela darling, and anything she touched turned to gold at the peak of her career. This story connected because it was a formula that worked for many telenovelas: the innocent and humble young girl who falls in love with Prince Charming. The telenovela was soundtracked by Alejandro Fernández’s gorgeous love ballad “Si Tu Supieras,” which spent six weeks atop the Hot Latin Songs chart.

The Story: “Luz Clarita” is a “Chispita” remake, starring Verónica Merchant as Soledad and César Évora as Mariano de la Fuente. The Story follows Daniela Luján’s character, a little girl on a quest to find her mother. By a series of coincidences, de la Fuente’s family decides to open the doors of their home to the little orphan. Initially, her presence seems to create chaos in their lives, but gradually, they realize that she has come to teach them all — both children and adults — the most important lesson: love is the essence of happiness.

Why It Connected: Daniela Luján will always be remembered as “Luz Clarita,” the character that launched her career 28 years ago, capturing our hearts with her sweet and enchanting performance. The song “Luz Clarita,” interpreted by Luján, is a heartfelt expression of finding joy and contentment in the simple and beautiful aspects of life.

The Story: The story follows Julia González Romero, played by Michelle Vieth, a girl who has lost her mother and harbors ambitious dreams for the future. However, her aspirations are disrupted when her father becomes paralyzed in a serious accident, forcing her to stay home and care for her family. Despite these challenges, Julia finds the courage to seek employment and encounters Alberto Miranda, portrayed by Héctor Soberón, a young lawyer from an upper-class background. As their feelings for each other grow, they must confront societal opposition and various obstacles to their love.

Why It Connected: The story features characters who demonstrate genuine love, perfectly represented by the song “Te Quiero Tanto, Tanto” by Mexican pop band OV7. This tender ballad speaks of immense love.

The Story: Starring Verónica Castro as Rosa García and Guillermo Capetillo as Ricardo Linares, Rosa Salvaje (Wild Rose) follows the story of a humble young lady who falls in love with a rich man, but his family doesn’t approve. The soap opera — which gained popularity in Latin America, the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia — included Laura Zapata, Liliana Abud and Edith González as antagonists. 

Why It Connected: Lead actress Verónica Castro gives life to the theme song — a dramatic yet sweet ballad where she passionately sings about her hopeless romantic character: “I want to live/ I want to feel/ To show the whole world/ The woman who lives inside me,” she sings.

The Story: Yuri and Chayanne — two of the most popular Latin pop stars of the ‘90s—star on Volver a Empezar, with a story not too far from reality, where the two portray music stars. In this telenovela, Yuri portrays Renata “Reny” Jiménez — a famous singer who, though she’s talented and has beloved fans, is also surrounded by her envious sister, Sandra, and representative, Santiago. Along the way, Reny meets another artist, Chayanne, whom she ends up falling in love with and vice versa, though he’s a married man. She also has two other love interests in the soap opera.  

Why It Connected: Yuri’s character is torn, choosing among three love interests: Chayanne, Tony, and Lalo, and in order to not hurt anyone, including herself, she would rather “start over.” The rhythmic pop song finds the Mexican singer chanting: ”I want to start over/ Free of all memories/ I want to start over/ Wake up again.”

The Story: Similar to Soñadoras, a Mexican telenovela that aired in 1999, Amigas y Rivales tells the story of four best friends (Jimena, Laura, Ofelia and Nayeli) from different social classes who are navigating life and facing similar challenges, including school, heartbreak and even drugs. The star-studded cast included Michelle Vieth, Ludwika Paleta, Adamari López and Angélica Vale.

Why It Connected: The title alone was intriguing. Amigas y Rivales, “friends and rivals,” sucked you into wanting to know more about what made these friends rivals. Kabah’s pop song for the telenovela was also catchy thanks to its earworm chorus: “Always super friends, always super enemies, they just want to love.”

The Story: Lucero portrays María Guadalupe, María Paula and María Fernanda, identical triplets who have non-indentical personalities. Victims of a car accident that killed their parents, Guadalupe disappears after falling into a river and suffers from amnesia; Fernanda is the sweet sister who was left blind and hopes to find her missing sister; and Paula is the selfish, jealous sister who leads a glamorous lifestyle. 

Why It Connected: In comparison to other theme songs that are primarily about love, “Lazos de Amor” is about the three sisters who had different paths in life. “Nothing can detach/ The bonds of love/ That in the blood the three of us/ Carry within,” the Mexican artist passionately chants in the soft, pop-rock novela intro.

The story: Starring Fernando Colunga and Gabriela Spanic in the dual roles of Paulina and Paola, La Usurpadora (a Mexican retelling of the 1971 Venezuelan telenovela La Intrusa) revolves around a pair of twin sisters — one good and poor, and one rich and evil — who were separated as children. As adults, the good sister is forced to act as a “replacement” for her rich twin, who wants to temporarily leave her husband and family to enjoy a life of luxury with multiple lovers.

Why it connected: La Usurpadora holds an important place in the history of telenovelas, celebrated for its engaging plot centered on mistaken identities and family dramas. The unforgettable eponymous theme song by the Mexican group Pandora became iconic and marked an era in the late ’90s.

The Story: Before Rebelde, there was Clase 406. This Mexican telenovela, a remake of Colombia’s 1999 series Francisco, El Matemático, centered around Francisco Romero, a small-town teacher with big dreams who decides to move to Mexico City. He joins the faculty of a prep school in the big city but soon realizes he’ll have to not only prove himself as a teacher, but gain the trust of his students in order to really make a difference. This story also deals with teen pregnancy, gangs, sexual assault and substance abuse.

Why It Connected: The students at the Rosario Castellanos prep school were rowdy but relatable. It also featured newcomers like Christian Chávez and Dulce María, who went on to also be part of Rebelde and become superstars with RBD. Caos’ “Clase 406” was for the youth who identified with being rebellious at school, with lyrics about being late to school again or forgetting an assignment.

The story: Originally created by Ibsen Martínez and starring Marialejandra Martín, Aroldo Betancourt, Franklin Virgüez and Gledys Ibarra, Por Estas Calles — considered one of the most successful Venezuelan telenovelas of all time, remaining on the air for more than two years — is a story of romance and social problems marked in the context of the crisis of corruption, crime and impunity in Caracas during the ’90s.

Why it connected: The realism of the plot and its characters hooked viewers, who identified with and felt reflected within the story. Yordano’s song of the same name was not only the perfect complement — by poetically portraying the problems of the time — but also had a life of its own beyond the show, becoming an instant classic of the Venezuelan pop songbook.

The Story: Based on the 1985 Venezuelan telenovela Cristal, the Mexican version El Privilegio de Amar also focuses on the relationships within a wealthy fashion world backdrop. The plot revolves around Cristina, an orphan who dreams of becoming a fashion model. She finds love with a priest-turned-fashion executive, Víctor Manuel, who complicates both their lives significantly. At the time of its release, the telenovela became the highest-rated television program in Mexico. 

Why It Connected: Sung by Mijares and Lucero, who were married in real life at the time, the heart-rending ballad encapsulates the emotional and moral dilemmas faced by the characters in the soap. The song, now considered a classic, resonated deeply with audiences by mirroring the complexities of love and sacrifice depicted in the series. Three years ago, the ex-couple reunited to perform the beloved song which gathered over 80 million views on YouTube to date.

The story: This youth telenovela starring Angélica María, Alberto Vázquez and Carlos Bracho, and the young protagonists Natalia Esperón, Flavio César and Alexis Ayala, revolves around Elisa (Angélica María), a woman who must raise her three children after the death of her husband. To make matters worse, her mother-in-law takes control of her inheritance, but this is only the beginning of many adventures for her family.

Why it connected: The sweetness of the protagonists aroused in viewers not only tenderness, but also the desire to see them in good shape. And the music of the series played a very important role, to the point that two compilation albums of the songs from the soap opera were released. But the most memorable is the main theme “Agujetas de color de rosa,” a pop version of the theme of the same name performed in 1960 by the Mexican rock and roll group Los Hooligans, which in turn was a Spanish version of Dodie Stevens’ “Pink Shoe Laces” from 1959. The interpretation by Curvas Peligrosas resulted in a hit that contributed to making the vibrant narrative even more memorable.

The Story: This Mexican telenovela produced by Carla Estrada for Televisa, is a historical drama set in the Mexican post-independence period of the mid-19th century. Challenging the fate of her destiny, the aristocrat Matilde Peñalver Beristáin (Adela Noriega) falls in love with Adolfo Solís (Mauricio islas), an army soldier with no fortune whom she hopes she’ll get permission to marry. But her mother forces Matilde to marry Manuel Fuentes Guerra (Fernando Colunga) to save the family from bankruptcy. Manuel and Matilde’s relationship will face trials and tribulations and only time will tell if they find amor real, or true love.

Why It Connected: Perhaps one of the best Mexican telenovelas of all time, actors Adela Noriega and Fernando Colunga made us all swoon watching their love story grow. The telenovela won many awards in Mexico and also aired on Univision in the United States, REN TV in Russia and La 1 in Spain, among other countries. In 2005, Amor Real was released on DVD and it became the first telenovela to be released with English subtitles. Sin Bandera’s love ballad “Amor Real” was captivating and it was included as part of its debut album De Viaje (2003).

The Story: Maria (portrayed by Thalía) is a poor young woman who’s welcomed into a rich family and ends up having a relationship with the son, Luis Fernando de la Vega (Fernando Colugna). As a result, she’s given a tough time by another woman, Soraya Montenegro (Itatí Cantoral) who’s also in love with the son and wants to destroy their romance. Maria, La Del Barrio is based on the 1979 soap opera Los ricos también lloran. 

Why It Connected: Destined to change her luck, Maria escapes her barrio to look for work at a wealthy household. In the timeless salsa track, Thalía proudly chants about being Maria from the slums, but also feeling heartbroken after falling in love. She sings: “He took over my heart/ He took away all my dreams/ I am Maria, Maria from the barrio/ I ask God to return him to me/ Because I am lost without his love.” 

The Story: In a small fishing town, innocent Viviana falls in love with the rich Jorge Armando who seduces her, marries her and abandons her to go to the city to marry his fiancée, the rich Gloria. Viviana searches for him, with disastrous consequences, which finally lead her to fall in love with a good man.

Why it connected: Viewed today, Viviana’s story, along with the ’70s setting and affected dialogue, feels cheesy and old-fashioned. But the theme song was irresistible. The soap opened daily with Viviana running on the beach with Jorge Armando to the beat of the pop ballad written by José Antonio Farias, performed by Lucía Méndez herself. It all solidified the myth of the submissive woman who does anything for love. On the other hand, in this soap – unlike so many others – the heroine not only survives with her integrity intact, but also finds new love in a man who may not be as rich, but has a heart. Finally, not everything is sacrificed for love.

The Story: The 1970s Venezuelan soap opera, starring Lupita Ferrer and José Bardina, has a rather tragic storyline. A rich man named Rogelio Peñalver hopes to one day have a son with his wife, Blanca. If they don’t have one, he will leave her. In a desperate attempt, Blanca gives birth to a baby girl, who dies at birth, but her faithful maid and midwife exchange her for a baby boy whose mother died during childbirth the same day. 

Why It Connected: Known as the “queen of telenovelas” in Venezuela, Lupita Ferrer brings to life the title theme song. Backed by a weeping Venezuelan waltz, Ferrer sings about being a hopeless romantic: “And until my soul flies away from the world/ my lips will pronounce your name/ and until that day you will be the hope of my soul,” she sings with passion. 

The Story: One of the most popular and universally acclaimed telenovelas, Yo Soy Betty, La Fea centers around Beatriz Aurora Pinzón Solano (Betty), an intelligent and capable woman, who is unattractive by conventional standards. She lands a job at a prestigious fashion company, where she faces various challenges and prejudices due to her appearance, but eventually proves her worth through her skill, intelligence and the transformation of her self-esteem.

Why It Connected: “Se Dice De Mi” embodies the spirit of the protagonist, Betty. Performed with gusto by Yolanda Rayo, the accordion-driven tango — originally sung by Tita Merello and Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Tipica (1979) — emphasizes the societal judgments and personal resilience central to Betty’s character. Its lively and defiant tone encourages viewers to embrace their uniqueness and reject societal standards of beauty.

The Story: A love story that goes beyond social class, “Abrázame Muy Fuerte” follows a young, beautiful lady who lives in a ranch and is the daughter of an authoritarian father and refined woman. The young lady falls in love with a man who works at their ranch, and against all odds, does whatever it takes to make their relationship work — even if her parents don’t approve.

Why It Connected: Juan Gabriel’s timeless song, which translates to “embrace me tightly,” tells the story of a love so real and deep that it’s unbreakable. “When you’re with me/ It’s when I say/ That everything was worth it,” the Mexican artist kicks off the song. In the poetic love letter, he also expresses gratitude for the existence of his significant other half, and asks them to hug him tightly, because life flies by. 

The Story: Starring Erik Estrada, Laura León, and Bibi Gaytán, Dos Mujeres, Un Camino follows Juan Daniel “Johnny,” a Mexican truck driver and family man who loves his wife Ana María, but falls madly in love with another woman named Tania, whom he meets during one of his trips. The series explores the complications that arise from his newfound love while transporting goods between Mexico and the United States.

Why it connected: The plot of the telenovela and the charisma of its protagonists kept the audience hooked, especially when Juan Daniel’s problems — who lives tormented by loving two women and must decide between his wife and his lover — worsen when they become great friends. How long can he hide his deception? In addition, Laura León gave a powerful interpretation of the main song, adding depth to the narrative and taking ownership of the story of her own character.

The Story: Starring Verónica Castro and Rogelio Guerra, Mariana is the story of a woman from a ranch with little education who arrives in the capital and is taken in by a priest who asks a parishioner to employ her in his mansion doing cleaning work. The priest, however, decides to integrate her into the family with the intention of teaching a lesson to his irreverent son Luis Alberto, who decides to make her fall in love for fun.

Why It Connected: Verónica Castro’s beauty and charisma were essential in captivating the public, who viewed her somewhat defenseless character with tenderness. It was the drama that launched her to fame and set her on the path to becoming the queen of soap operas. The main theme, “Aprendí a llorar” (I Learned to Cry), written by the prominent composer Lolita de la Colina and performed by Castro herself, easily boosted her career as a singer.

The Story: A compelling Mexican telenovela, the plot revolves around the tumultuous love story between Victoria, a beautiful waitress with dreams of a better life, and José Miguel, a wealthy businessman with a complicated past. As their paths cross, they face numerous obstacles from societal expectations to family conflicts, with each challenge testing the strength of their love and commitment to each other, against the dramatic backdrop of power, betrayal, and passion.

Why It Connected: Performed by Joan Sebastián and Maribel Guardia — who in addition to starring as the main characters in the telenovela were married in real life — the mariachi ballad captures the intense relationship between Victoria and José Miguel. It resonated with viewers, thanks to its heartfelt lyrics and memorable melody, effectively heightening the emotional intensity of the plot.

The Story: Starring Erika Buenfil as Marisol Ledesma and Eduardo Santamarina as José Andrés Garcés, Marisol follows a humble young woman who sells paper flowers in Mexico City and takes care of her mother Sofía (Irma Lozano), who is bedridden due to a lung tumor. After her death, José Andrés — a handsome painter from a wealthy family — enters her life, and their relationship will go through a series of obstacles.

Why it connected: This story full of drama, discord and suffering was accompanied by the main theme “Por Amarte,” the third single from Enrique Iglesias’ debut album. The lyrics of the song convey a deep love — expressing that, despite the obstacles, he would do everything to save his relationship.

The Story: Six teenage students (played by Anahí, Dulce María, Alfonso Herrera, Christopher von Uckermann, Maite Perroni and Christian Chávez) at a private high school in Mexico decide to form a band.

Why it connected: What happened on screen in Rebelde was a reflection of real life. The soap gave rise to mega group RBD, which took on a life of its own parallel to the fictional drama its characters played on television. The theme song not only reinforced the branding of the group and the soap, but also represented the very identity of the group and of millions of viewers with its chorus of “I am a rebel, when I don’t follow others.” The lasting power of “Rebelde” the song, Rebelde the telenovela and RBD the group was fully appreciated in 2023 when RBD reunited for an epic tour.

The story: Young, poor, innocent Marimar (Thalía) falls in love with Sergio (Eduardo Capetillo), son of a rich landowner. But Sergio’s family humiliates and punishes her in terrible ways, until Marimar rebuilds her life, inherits a fortune and takes revenge.

Why it connected: Marimar was a remake of 1977’s La Venganza, which in turn is based on radio soap opera La Indomable. It was a winning formula. But the real reason for its success, and the reason it ranks first on our list, lies with Thalía. For the singer and actress, Marimar would be the second in the trilogy of the Marías (as some call them — María la del Barrio, Marimar and María Mercedes — three enormously successful Televisas soap operas that would carry Thalía from musical stardom in the Latin world, to international acclaim as a singer and actress). There is perhaps no other artist who so seamlessly intertwined acting and music, and yet, managed to separate the two paths to success, to this day.  The inflection point on that journey was Marimar.

The soap opera aired around the time Thalía firmly established herself as a music star, after releasing her third album, 1992’s Love. The theme song, “Marimar,” punctuated by a trademark Thalía shout, was played at the beginning, end and commercial breaks of each episode. It was inescapable. And although it didn’t reach the Billboard charts, its tropical rhythm opened a whole new path for Thalía, who would later record other tropical hits like “Piel Morena.” Today, Marimar continues to gain new fans, as demonstrated by recent TikTok trends. “In my wildest dreams I would never have imagined that this character would be part of me during my life,” Thalía wrote on social media. “And of course with good reason, since I put all my heart, passion and my personal style in creating my ideal Costeñita. A real part of me is forever captured in every scene we filmed.”