Mexican women composers: songs that made history

When we think of Mexican music, we often think of great performers or famous mariachis. However, some of the most beloved songs in our repertoire were written by Mexican women composers who, in many cases, were overshadowed by their performers. Today I want to pay tribute to these creators through the works that shaped our history.

“Júrame” – María Grever (1885–1951)

María Grever was the first Mexican composer to achieve international fame. Her song "Júrame," (Promise me) released in 1926, became a love anthem and has been performed by figures such as José Mojica, Andrea Bocelli, and Plácido Domingo. With this work, Grever demonstrated that a Mexican woman could write music of universal quality.

“Bésame mucho” – Consuelo Velázquez (1916–2005)

Perhaps the most famous Mexican song in the world. Written by Consuelo Velázquez in 1940, before her first kiss, “Bésame mucho” was recorded by The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Pedro Infante, among many others. It exemplifies the power of melodic simplicity combined with emotional depth.

“Mucho corazón” – Emma Elena Valdelamar (1925–2012)

Valdelamar wrote several gems of romantic music, but "Mucho corazón" is undoubtedly his best known. Its lyrics and melody capture the intensity of heartbreak and became a classic in the ranchera and bolero repertoire, performed by mariachi singers such as Vicente Fernández and Javier Solís.

“Mil besos” – Emma Elena Valdelamar

Another immortal work by Valdelamar, this song has accompanied entire generations in moments of love and nostalgia. Its inclusion in mariachi repertoires demonstrates how the composers were able to connect with different genres, from bolero to ranchera.

“Noche de Mar” – María Alma (1915-1955)

Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, like me, María Alma was a pioneering composer in the Mexican Society of Authors and Composers. Her song “Noche de mar” combines romantic intensity with a deeply Mexican musicality. She also wrote pieces like “Compréndeme” and “Tuya,” which were performed by voices such as Toña la Negra and Pedro Vargas.

His legacy is especially inspiring to me, because we share the same Monterrey origins: it shows how Mexican music can be projected from Monterrey to the world.

Conclusion

Mexican female composers of the 20th century left us songs that made history and live on in stages, serenades, and recordings around the world. Recognizing them means reclaiming an invaluable legacy and remembering that Mexican music would not be the same without the creativity and talent of its women.

References

BUAP Noticias. “María Alma: cantante y compositora”. 10 de mayo de 2025. Disponible en: https://tv.buap.mx/news/958189 BUAP

Canchola, Nancy. Preserving the Legacy of María Grever through Performance and Scholarship. Disertación de Doctorado, University of North Texas, 2019. Disponible en: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark%3A/67531/metadc1505196/m2/1/high_res_d/CANCHOLA-DISSERTATION-2019.pdf

El Cuerpo Aguante Radio / Ernesto Martínez Frausto. “María Alma, compositora nacida en Ciudad de México y no en Monterrey”. 2 de octubre de 2017. Disponible en: https://www.elcuerpoaguanteradio.com.mx/maria-alma-compositora-nacida-en-ciudad-de-mexico-y-no-en-monterrey/ elcuerpoaguanteradio.com.mx

Encyclopedia.com. “Grever, Maria.” En Encyclopedia of World Biography. Consultado en septiembre de 2025. Disponible en: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/grever-maria

Sociedad de Autores y Compositores de México (SACM). “María Alma”. Biografía #08064. SACM Informa. Disponible en: https://www.sacm.org.mx/Informa/Biografia/08064 SACM

The Henry Ford. “Maria Grever: A Little Known — But Not Unsung Composer.” The Henry Ford Blog, 8 de noviembre de 2023. Disponible en: https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/maria-grever-a-little-known-but-not-unsung-composer

University of California, Santa Barbara Library. “María Grever.” Discography of American Historical Recordings. Consultado en septiembre de 2025. Disponible en: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109650