The history of music in Mexico is full of contrasts and varied influences that you can pick up on in Mexico songs today. The area was originally dominated by the Aztec culture which maintained there own complex musical tradition. After the Cortes invasion and conquest, Mexico became a Spanish colony and both folk and classical music have drawn from the Spanish influence. The Spanish regime also imported African slaves which added a third dimension to the musical mix.

The style of music known as Mexican son first appeared in the 17th century and is a fusion of indigenous, Spanish and African traditions, much like Cuban son. But in Mexico there was more variation in the music from region to region both in rhythm and instrumentation. The ranchera style is a type of song that was literally sung on Mexican ranches in the mid-19th century, just before the Mexican revolution.