THE GREATEST 80s SPANISH POP MUSIC GROUP

🎶 My Mecano Memory: A Musical Journey from Barcelona

Once upon a time, around 1988 or 1989 in beautiful Barcelona, a little girl was captivated by a music video on TV. It was "La Fuerza del Destino" by the iconic Spanish pop group Mecano, featuring a young Penélope Cruz. That moment sparked a lifelong love for their music.

Mecano rose to fame in the 1980s and 90s and remains beloved today. Formed by brothers José María Cano and Nacho Cano, along with vocalist Ana Torroja, their songs are still played on Spanish radio — and fans continue to hope for a comeback.

📼 The Cassette That Started It All

One day, Dad took my brother and me to El Corte Inglés shopping mall. My dad — who was Chinese — wasn’t fluent in Spanish, so asking him to buy a Spanish cassette felt like mission impossible. But near home, in a park, I finally asked. He told us to wait and returned with the exact cassette I wanted. I was overjoyed!

We already had a Walkman, so my brother and I played that special blue cassette endlessly. (For younger readers: I’ve uploaded pictures of what a Walkman and cassette look like — they were our Spotify!)

🐶 Songs That Stuck

My brother, two years older, pointed out the heartbreaking lyrics of "Laika", a song about the Russian dog sent into space. I cried every time I heard it. He also impressed me with how long he could hold the final note of "Héroes de la Antártida" — quite the lung workout!

We weren’t a wealthy family, so that tape was all I asked for. Luckily, friends shared others with us.

🏳️‍🌈 Music That Mattered

One of Mecano’s most iconic songs in LGBTQ+ circles is "Mujer Contra Mujer" ("Woman Against Woman"), a gentle, powerful tribute to lesbian love. It was ahead of its time — and still resonates today.

📖 Discovering Their Story

Mecano officially disbanded in 1992, with only a brief reunion. I later read their Wikipedia entry and learned more about their dynamic — José María was the original leader, but Nacho Cano is often seen as the creative powerhouse. Ana Torroja brought it all together with her unique voice and bold style. I didn’t know she dated José María when they started!

🎭 Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar

In 2005, Nacho Cano launched the musical "Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar" in Madrid. I waited years for it to come to Barcelona — and it finally did! I spotted the ad on a passing bus, booked tickets immediately, and Mum treated me to a front-row balcony seat. I introduced my nephew to Mecano’s music, and it was one of the happiest nights of my life.

The show was brilliantly written, touching on themes like addiction and social issues. Sadly, it moved to South America and ended. For reasons unknown, Nacho Cano was excluded from the production in 2007 — despite being a founding member.

😂 A Toy Confusion

While telling a friend about the musical, she looked puzzled. Turns out she thought I was talking about the toy Meccano — not the band!

🎤 Solo Careers & Global Reach

Both Ana Torroja and Nacho Cano released solo albums, but they shine brightest together. I was thrilled to learn that Mecano’s music was translated into French and Italian, and released internationally. I even met an American in Australia who had just discovered them — and loved their sound.

🎫 Still Hoping

I never saw them live — I was too young — but maybe one day they’ll reunite. Back then, we didn’t have Wikipedia, YouTube, or Spotify. Now you do — so I hope you’ll explore their music and find a favorite song.